When searching for the best maternity belt or band, it’s important to look for one that’s comfortable, breathable, and adjustable. Make sure the belt you select fits correctly and that there is room for your expanding belly. The belt should be supportive but not too tight or restrictive. Some belts and bands are suitable for both the prenatal and postpartum. To find the best maternity belts, we consulted a physical therapist specializing in women's pelvic health and then assessed each option based on quality, design, sizing, and support.
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According to Carrie Pagliano , a physical therapist and board-certified women’s health specialist, if you’re suffering from excessive back pain and pressure during pregnancy, you should talk to your OB-GYN, and possibly a physical therapist. "You don't have to accept pain in pregnancy or postpartum just because it's a common symptom," Pagliano tells us. “Typically pain that is more focused at the pubic bone (in the center) and more noticeable with activity, asymmetric weight-bearing (standing on one leg, stairs, fast walking) has a good chance of improving with a [pregnancy] belt.”
The body changes so much during pregnancy, and while many of those changes are truly incredible, some, like back pain , can be quite uncomfortable. Maternity support belts and belly bands were designed to help relieve this common pregnancy discomfort by easing the pressure on your back and pelvis. These belts wrap around your body, from your lower back to your abdomen, and support your growing baby bump. Maternity support belts are safe if used correctly and for short periods of time.
Wearing a belt or wrap after birth helps support your weakened core muscles, lower back, and hips. It can also promote healthy posture when nursing and C-section recovery. The Original Postpartum Belly Wrap provides gentle belly and back compression as your body heals while still allowing for mobility. The belt is made from latex-free spandex for comfort and has 9 inches of adjustability. Plus, it may be eligible for insurance reimbursement.
The Maternity FITsplint offers maximum support and minimal belly movement while exercising. The slim, two-strap design allows you to wear this belt three ways. Wearing the straps in a separated position helps provide motion control, reducing stress on connective tissues and joints during high-impact activities like running. In a crossover configuration, the straps gently lift the belly and minimize bladder pressure. This belt is made of flexible, breathable neoprene and can be machine-washed.
The fabric, especially at the edges, can be scratchy or irritating. This is easily alleviated by wearing the belt over a piece of clothing like an undershirt.
This simple maternity support belt is incredibly easy to put on and adjust, while offering full support and gentle compression for maximum relief. The belt is designed to support abdominal muscles, evenly distribute weight around your hips and pelvis, and correct your posture to ease pain in the lower back, pelvic floor, and round ligaments. It's made from breathable mesh.
Some have complained that the material isn't very soft, so they prefer to wear it over a layer of clothing.
Most maternity belts only come in a couple of sizes, if not one-size-fits-all. This maternity belt is available in six different sizes, fitting people from dress sizes 6 to 28. It's designed to relieve sciatic pain, reduce swelling, ease round ligament discomfort, and decrease back and pelvic pain. The belt is fully adjustable and has mesh inserts for comfort and breathability. Best of all, it transitions as you progress in pregnancy and into postpartum recovery. Accompanying the belt is a 40-page booklet of trimester-targeted exercises that help relieve discomfort.
It comes in only two sizes and two colors, and it doesn't provide back support.
This maternity belt is incredibly affordable at less than $15. It's made with a combination of breathable nylon and stretchy spandex. It wraps around the back and secures in place with an adjustable Velcro strap. It won’t roll down and provides plenty of pelvic support. It's designed to cradle the belly.
This pick is expensive compared to others on this list and some customers report issues with the Velcro’s longevity.
Many support belts are made just for pregnancy or just for postpartum, but this one can do both! The belt provides lift under your belly and support for the lower back. Its stretchy bamboo viscose fabric molds to your body’s shape and offers light compression. The belt comes in sizes from small through extra large and adjusts up to 12 inches with a Velcro closure. One of its coolest features is that it comes with a hot/cold pack that fits into a built-in pocket on the belt.
The one-size-fits-most design can be somewhat limiting, so you may have to do a bit of tugging to get it on just right.
During pregnancy, it’s not uncommon to feel hot basically all of the time, so the last thing you want is a maternity belt that makes you sweat even more. We love that this belt is made from a strong, stretchy mesh fabric that provides support while also being breathable. It’s designed to lift the tummy and relieve pressure in the lower back area with an adjustable Velcro strap.
This belt is a little bulky and is not designed to offer support while sitting, as it has to be unhooked to sit safely and comfortably.
You can tell just by looking at this maternity support belt that it means business. The belt's two straps lift the belly to ease pressure, assist with weight distribution, and serve as a back brace for lower back pain and support. It is fully adjustable with two Velcro panels that fit over the belly and two more under the belly, and it’s made from thick, stretchy material that won’t slide or roll with movement. The side and back panels are breathable, and the abdominal pad is soft, so it won't cause irritation.
Our Review Process and Experts
When selecting maternity support belts for this list, we researched dozens of product details and user reviews from well-known brands. We considered the type of support a product provides, its sizing options and adjustability, material, and any special features like extra tightening straps or heat pouches. We also consulted an expert:
Factors to Consider When Buying a Maternity Support Belt
Material
A good maternity support belt should take the brunt of the pressure of a growing pregnant belly, so it needs to be made from strong, durable materials with quality craftsmanship, otherwise, it will quickly fall apart or stretch out. Regardless of whether you want to wear this belt pre or post-baby (or both), you will get the best results with a belt made from thick fabric with a little bit of stretch so that it continues to provide compression as your body changes.
Unless you’re getting a belly band that slips on and off, you will also want to make sure the belt’s closure is strong and durable enough to withstand the tension of the belt.
Sizing
“Many [maternity support belts and] bands are stiff and provide good compression, but are uncomfortable and cut into the belly or ride-up on a pregnant [person's] body,” Dr. Pagliano says. It is because of this compression that it’s so important to find a maternity support belt that fits correctly.
Look for something that fits a wide range of sizes because your belly will continue to grow before the baby comes, so a belt that fits today may not fit in a week if it’s not sized correctly. When shopping for your maternity support belt, you should pay close attention to how the brand's sizing works because there isn’t a universal method. Use the size chart as your guide and take measurements of your body as needed to get the right fit.
“Find a band that provides sufficient compression with movement and is comfortable to wear regularly,” says Pagliano, because chances are high you’ll need to wear it fairly regularly.
Support Type
Belts and belly bands are typically designed for prenatal or postnatal use, with a few made to work for both. Maternity support bands (without clasps of some sort) will usually provide compression but may not necessarily lift the belly up and carry some of the weight, whereas belts (those with clasps) are made to provide compression and carry some of the weight.
Your Questions, Answered
Why would I need a maternity support belt?
As a pregnant person’s belly grows during pregnancy, their center of balance changes, and this can cause pain and pressure in the back and pelvis. For some, this change in anatomy is mildly uncomfortable, but for others, it can be a daily problem and even create other issues, such as sciatic pain. A maternity support belt is designed to alleviate some of that pain/pressure. “The [purpose] of a belt is to provide support/stability for a pelvis,” says Pagliano, “Belt use can be diagnostic if the [person] can tolerate wearing it and it provides symptom relief; it may be a good option.”
Can I use a maternity support belt during postpartum recovery?
It depends on the belt’s design, as some are made only for prenatal support. If the belt is made for postpartum wear, then you can certainly use it. However, its purpose will likely be different. “[During] postpartum, the goal is to build strength, and there’s the opportunity to do that without the extra issues of a growing belly,” says Pagliano. “The goal is to return to regular pain-free function.”
Bands designed for postpartum use can benefit any person recovering from childbirth but are particularly useful to those who delivered via C-section. “Bands can be helpful to address swelling and provide a short-term option for compression and support, especially after C-section,” Pagliano says. “That said, it should be a short-term option in conjunction with postpartum rehabilitation and support training, not a substitute.”
How much does a maternity support belt cost?
Most support belts on this list range in price from $20 to $50. The more support and adjustability you need, the more you will likely pay for a belt. The type of material it's made with can also impact the cost. The ability to use the belt throughout pregnancy and postpartum, including during exercise, may make it worth a higher price tag.
Are maternity support belts safe?
Support belts are generally safe if they are worn correctly and not for prolonged periods of time. Make sure the belt you choose is stretchy, breathable, and adjustable. Most belts have a compressive effect that, if worn for too long, can become constrictive, reduce blood flow, and cause muscle weakness. Be sure to check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
When should I start wearing a maternity support belt?
You can start wearing a support belt at any time during pregnancy that you feel you need one. Many pregnant people begin wearing a support belt around the 20-week mark, which is when they typically begin to feel more discomfort in the hips and back.
Why Trust Parents
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include design, age appropriateness, and user reviews.
Photo-Illustration: The Strategist; Photos: Retailers
Your body goes through a lot while growing a baby. As your bump expands, the added weight puts pressure on your joints — it’s little wonder that this can lead to physical pain in the back and pelvic area. According to pelvic-floor therapist Lindsey Vestal of the Functional Pelvis, two of the most common ailments experienced by pregnant women are sacroiliac pain around the lower back (SI joint pain) and pubic symphysis dysfunction in the joints around pubic bones (PSD). However, maternity belts can help to take away some of the strain while all this is happening.
“These belts are a way to provide stability in a joint base that normally could do its job, but because it’s getting ready for baby, now that the joints are moving too much and causing discomfort,” explains Vestal. So we asked Vestal and other experts for their maternity-belt recommendations. From super-structured binders to softer bands, we’ve collected a range of options that will absorb some of the pressure and help increase your mobility during pregnancy.
Serola Sacroiliac Hip Belt
$54
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Pelvic Brace For Pregnancy. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Vestal also loves the Serola belt, which was one of the first ones on the market. “It’s super straightforward, specific, [sits] very low, and goes exactly where you need it to go. It’s also non-obtrusive,” she says. Lara Kohn Thompson, a licensed massage therapist, perinatal trainer, and yoga instructor also recommends a similar type of belt (the Physiomat, which is no longer available in the U.S.). Unlike most maternity belts that are placed above the pelvis, across the lumbar, and above the sacrum, a sacroiliac belt “provides more stability to the pelvic joints by compacting the outer hips and bringing the base of the pelvis inward,” Thompson explains. “This decreases sacro-lumbar pressure and helps a woman engage her pelvic floor and lower abdominal muscles.”
$54
at Amazon$54
at AmazonBaby Belly Pelvic Support by Diane Lee
$190
Another belt Vestal loves is the Baby Belly Pelvic Support, which was designed by British Columbia–based physiotherapist Diane Lee. Most maternity bands wrap from the back to the front of the pelvis, but, according to Vestal, this belt is novel in that it’s adjustable and can be attached going from the front to the back or from the back to the front. This customizability can address both PSD pain, which occurs in the front of the pelvis, and SI joint pain, which happens in the back. “If you really need that extra support in the front with PSD, this band is a godsend because women can experience both of these type of pains throughout their pregnancy; it can start in one place and go to the other,” says Vestal. “The pelvis is a ring at the end of the day, so often that pain will shift. A belt like this will allow you to customize it to what you’re experiencing.”
$190
at Baby Belly Pelvic SupportDel Mex Mexican Rebozo Shawl
From $34
A favorite of Mayer’s is this woven wrap, also known as a rebozo, which is essentially a long, wide piece of fabric that can be used as a wrap during pregnancy, as a labor coping tool during labor (with the help of a doula who can use it to perform exercises that relax the hips and abdomen), and as a baby carrier postpartum.
From $34
at AmazonFrom $34
at AmazonBao Bei Maternity ProBump Pregnancy Belly Support Band — Black
$65
$65
“A belly-support band like this is really incredible for pregnant moms, especially those who are really active and doing exercises that are a little bit more intense on the body, like maybe a runner or they’re still lifting heavy weights,” explains Cat Geiser, founder of Mama Flow Studio. According to Geiser, the belly band offers a “subtle lift of your belly and also prevents pressure on the abdominal wall.” She cites the Baobei founder’s personal experience as a mom as another plus — “not all belly bands are created equal, and there’s a fine line when it comes to the right amount of compression and too much compression.”
$65
at Bao Bei Maternity
Bellies Inc. The Ab Wrap
$90
$90
“New mothers need the same love and care poured into them as babies,” explains Jones. This wrap is one of the top recommendations for her clients, and it can be worn before and after pregnancy. “It offers support stability through the mid-line, hips, and lower back,” explains Jones. “Wrapping or binding encourages soft tissues and bones to come together to the original state.”
$90
at Bellies IncActually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.
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