The 10 Best Maternity Belts

This wiki has been updated 42 times since it was first published in August of 2015. If you're planning on staying active while you grow in size, you can get helpful support and relief from back and hip pain with one of these maternity belts. As well as relieving the common aches experienced during pregnancy, they can also help to promote proper posture, prevent stretch marks, and support weak abdominal muscles -- even after you've given birth. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. NeoTech Care Belly Brace

Designed for active pregnant women, the NeoTech Care Belly Brace (appx. $21) delivers targeted support to both your pelvis and spine, for all-day relief from lower back pain. It gently lifts the abdomen, while also providing a good amount of lumbar support.

Choose from three neutral colors
Strong reinforced velcro closure
Available in five sizes

2. Azmed Abdominal Binder

Cradle your unborn baby and help minimize the strain caused by him or her with the Azmed Abdominal Binder (about $23). This accessory redistributes the weight of your pregnancy effectively in order to improve your posture and reduce hip pain.

Helps with spinal pressure
Will last through many pregnancies
Highly breathable fabric

3. Cabea Compression Therapy

If you're experiencing excessive pelvic floor pain, a prolapsed uterus, or vulvar varicosities, the Cabea Compression Therapy (about $68) has added a discreet groin band to the company's original belt. It is completely adjustable, so you can choose the perfect amount of pressure.

Also ideal for hernia
Can be machine washed
Material is not breathable enough

4. Fitsplint Ultimate Core

Moms-to-be who want to stay active will appreciate the Fitsplint Ultimate Core (appx. $49). This option can be worn three different ways, depending on your activity, but you may need to wear a thin shirt under it, because the neoprene can irritate the skin if you perspire a lot.

Great choice for runners
Helpful for diastasis recti
Comfortable enough to sleep in

5. Gabrialla Elastic MS-96

The Gabrialla Elastic MS-96 (about $39) is an award-winning design that provides medium-strength pressure to help keep you pain-free throughout your pregnancy. It features 6 inches of extra material in the back for a customized fit, and there's a built-in pocket to hold an ice pack.

Offers good hip compression
Supportive enough for jogging
Sizing runs small

6. Babo Care Prenatal

The Babo Care Prenatal (around $19) is a one-size-fits-all option that features expandable elastic with adjustable Velcro straps that can stretch to 48 inches. It gently decreases any discomfort felt in the hips or back, and is ventilated for all-day wear.

Moisture-wicking lining
Simple to put on and take off
Support is too light for heavy women

7. Suisong 3D

While this design won't work for everyone, the Suisong 3D (around $25) incorporates reinforced elastic straps to let your shoulders help take the burden off your abdomen and back. It's a great choice for a woman who is carrying very low or having multiples.

Ideal for long days of standing
Likely to show through clothing
Not comfortable when sitting

8. Belevation Support Band

The Belevation Support Band (around $17) easily stretches to match the natural contours of your body. It is made from a breathable mix of nylon and spandex that is soft against your skin and keeps you cool during activities. Note that the sizes run a little big, though.

Available in black or grey
Stays securely in place
Not suitable for the third trimester

9. Donna Elite

The Donna Elite (appx. $20) provides much-needed relief from the type of lower back strain that is often associated with later stages of pregnancy. It can be worn at various angles, without restricting the baby's movements, and also helps to prevent stretch marks.

Alleviates bladder pressure
Fits up to 52 inches
Tends to shift when you're seated

10. Bracoo Adjustable

The Bracoo Adjustable (around $16) is a basic design at a price that meets any budget. It works like a charm to promote proper posture by stabilizing the lumbar area, but the excess Velcro ends can start to curl up over time and are hard to flatten out.

Fits a variety of body types
Can't go in washer or dryer
Material can be a little itchy

Benefits Of Wearing Maternity Belts

Using a maternity belt may be the best way to reduce those symptoms and get the workout you need.

Maternity belts are sold as back supports for the extra weight of pregnancy. This is an adequate basic understanding of their function, as at least half of all pregnant women complain of lower back pain, and maternity belts help them relieve it. There are a few different types of pain that maternity belts may help with. The usual back pain pregnant women complain of is a pain in the sacroiliac joint. Pregnancy causes changes near the sacroiliac joint that lead to sharp and sometimes severe pain right near the tailbone. Wearing a maternity belt may help ease this pain over time.

Using a maternity belt may also help with round ligament pain, which is a pain that comes on in the second or third trimester. Round ligament pain is a more dull ache than sacroiliac pain, and presents itself more in the front of the hips and in the legs just below the belly. Using maternity belts helps to evenly distribute the weight and avoid excess pain in these areas. Another benefit of using a maternity belt is that it acts as a reminder to keep a correct posture. A maternity band supports the lower back, thus preventing overextension and reminding the body to keep the spine straight and the core tight. This makes daily activities easier, and may even keep you going longer before it is time to rest.

Wearing a maternity belt also holds the belly in place, albeit very gently. This gentle structure reduces discomfort from physical activity, much like a sports bra protects the breasts. This is important, as physical activity helps keep the body in shape and regulate hormones during pregnancy. Exercising to regulate body weight before and during pregnancy is crucial, as maternal obesity can affect the health of both mother and growing child. Working directly with their OB-GYN, many women find it is simple to add a gentle workout to their daily routine to help protect them and their babies from possible complications. Exercise during pregnancy can also decrease the risk of depression, hypertension, and even diabetes. Many women cite pain or discomfort as reasons they do not workout during pregnancy. Using a maternity belt may be the best way to reduce those symptoms and get the workout you need.

Risks And Considerations When Wearing Maternity Belts

The benefits of wearing a maternity belt while pregnant are clear, but there are some very important things to consider before buying and using a maternity belt that can shape your personal experience. As the hormone relaxin floods the body in the time leading up to labor, the ligaments in the pelvis and hips become loose. This process is meant to help the pelvis and hips open as the child goes through the birth canal. The added complication here is that the ligaments and muscles in the hips and pelvis cannot support as much weight.

The added complication here is that the ligaments and muscles in the hips and pelvis cannot support as much weight.

Excess weight from pregnancy and the extra stress on the surrounding muscles compensating for the pelvis often leads to back pain, even while using a maternity belt. While maternity belts can greatly reduce back pain, pain is a sign that the body needs to rest. It is important to take special care of your body while pregnant and to listen to any signals it has for you. Resting your back whenever possible may seem unproductive, but it is best for your health and the health of your unborn child.

It is also crucial to pay attention to the type of back pain you are experiencing. Back pain can be one of the signs that you are going into labor, as the muscles relax even further in preparation for the baby’s body. Women with a history of early pregnancy or a history of labor that follows back pain should talk to their doctors before purchasing a maternity belt. This can help reduce the chances of not noticing signs of labor. A professional should always help you fit the maternity belt the first time. Improper use may lead to an increase in back pain, skin conditions like heat rash, and may even raise the heart rate of the baby. An OB-GYN or certified midwife will gladly help get your maternity belt fitting just right.

Other Ways To Care For The Body During Pregnancy

Wearing a comfortable maternity belt is just one step towards a perfect pregnancy. There are many other important considerations for taking care of both mother and child during pregnancy. One of the most crucial things for pregnant women to really understand is that creating a new human requires extreme amounts of energy. This means staying hydrated and eating particularly well to provide the body with enough nutrients to feed and nourish what is essentially two bodies. Variety in the diet is especially important, as the growing fetus needs vitamins and nutrients from all possible sources. Pregnant women tend to feel hungry throughout the day, and should take care to eat many smaller meals instead of a few large meals.

In addition to exercise and general stress-reducing practices, many women also choose to receive gentle massages or acupuncture sessions while pregnant.

With this large energy expenditure comes the often overlooked issue of rest. Rest may be the single most important factor for pregnant women. Rest, especially sleep, allows the cells to heal and repair, and makes generating new cells for a growing baby much easier. Wearing a maternity belt will help support the muscles while active, but it is equally as important to take the belt off and rest often throughout the day.

In addition to exercise and general stress-reducing practices, many women also choose to receive gentle massages or acupuncture sessions while pregnant. Alternative therapies like acupuncture help reduce stress on the body and relieve many pregnancy related symptoms. There is also research suggesting that acupuncture may help induce labor in cases where women do not go into labor naturally. Education is also vital, especially for first-time mothers. Many women take classes, or work directly with a midwife and doula to learn all they can about the pregnancy process. Asking questions during regular checkups can help bridge any gaps in understanding, and there are plenty of books on the topic of pregnancy. Ultimately, the best knowledge of pregnancy comes from one source — your personal experience.

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Last updated by Tina Morna Freitas

Tina Morna Freitas is a writer who lives in Chicago with her family and three cats. She has a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in English, and has built a freelance career over the years in writing and digital marketing. Her passions for cooking, decorating and home improvement contribute to her extensive knowledge of all things kitchen and home goods. In addition, her 20 years as a parent inform her expertise in the endless stream of toys and equipment that inevitably takes over the homes of most parents. She also enjoys gardening, making and sipping margaritas, and aspires to be a crazy cat lady once all the children are grown.

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