Procare® Maternity BeltProcare® Maternity Belt

Introduction


This Donjoy Maternity Belt is an 8" plush elastic belt that helps relieve the discomfort of both lower abdominal and back pain during preganacy and for a few weeks post partum. The abdominal strap supports the stomach while the elastic back provides compression and support for the lumbar area and pelvis.

Indications


• Degenerative Disc Disease in pregnancy
• Diastasis of pubic symphysis
• Sacroiliac Low Back Pain
• Mild low back pains
• Back sprains
• Back strains

Information on Ordering


Measure the circumference around the hips at the level of the anterior superior iliac spines.

Size = Circumference at hips (cm)

Small = 80-105 cm
Medium = 105-130 cm
Large = 130-155 cm
X-Large = 155-180 cm

Innovations


• 8" plush elastic belt to support lower abdomen
• Upper abdominal strap for stability
• Strong elastic back supports lumbar area
• Provides pelvic binding effect

Diastasis of the Pubic Symphysis in Pregnancy



OrthopaedicsAndTrauma.com asked Mummy’s Physio, a London physiotherapy practice specialising in pelvic floor re-education and in the follow up of mothers during and after pregnancy, about diastasis of the pubic symphysis after pregnancy. They said: "diastasis of the symphysis pubis is common in preganncy and after because of the relaxin hormone increase in pregnancy. This means increased pelvic movement and therfore increased pressure on the small of the back at the scaro iliac joints. Mummy's Physio. provide specialist physiotherapy in pelvic floor rehabilitation in London in the UK.

Mummy's Physio. told OrthopaedicsandTrauma.com "The normal physiology of pregnancy in the last 3-4 months of pregnancy and childbirth leads to an escalation of the levels of the hormone relaxin and progesterone. These hormones facilitate the relaxation of the symphysis leading to symphyseal diastasis and consequent widening of the birth canal. The incidence of symptomatic diastasis is anywhere from 1 in 600 to 1 in 3400 pregnancies".

They also said: "This condition responds very well to conservative treatment for a period of 6 weeks post-delivery with the continued use of the Maternity belt. That is also the time required for the maternal relaxin and progesterone to return to normal non-pregnancy levels. Disruption of the symphysis during childbirth is rare. If it were a 'disruption' (traumatic), then an inter-pubic distance of > 2.5 cm classified as a 'Type II open book' injury would not heal with conservative treatment. As regards the prognosis, there is a possibility that the diastasis may recur in the future pregnancies, but would still be amenable to conservative treatment. There does not appear to be any correlation between the extent of interpubic distance and the final outcome".

Mummy's Physio said: "Pubic diastasis is an uncommon injury that should be considered when evaluating patients in the postpartum period who are experiencing suprapubic, sacroiliac or thigh pain. Although the symptoms are dramatically severe in presentation, a conservative management approach is effective". (Kraiem J, Ounaissa F, Bouden S, Boujelbene S, Falfoul A. [Peripartum pubic symphysis separation. A report of three cases and review of the literature] Tunis Med. 2004 Dec;82(12):1116-20.)