Best Pregnancy Belly Support Bands, According to Moms-to-Be

Sure, you love your growing baby bump — but chances are, you’re not so thrilled about the growing pains that can come with it.

Known as round ligament pain, these sharp, shooting pains typically flare up after week 14 of pregnancy, as your uterus expands and starts to grow out of the pelvis, says April Dunmyre, D.O., assistant director of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital Womancare Associates in Pittsburgh.

While round ligament pain is normal — plenty of women experience it during their second and third trimesters — reassurances alone might not be much comfort. That’s where pregnancy support bands and belts come in.

What are pregnancy belly support belts?

Pregnancy belly support belts and bands — sometimes simply called pregnancy belts — wrap around your lower back and abdomen to gently cradle your bump, easing pressure on your back and pelvis.

Pregnancy belly support belts are different from belly bands and pants extenders, which are designed to help you wear your non-maternity jeans for longer and offer lighter support. (Although some belly bands may do both.) 

“[Pregnancy belts] can help support the uterus and, if worn lower on the abdomen, can help pull the baby off the pelvis,” says Dr. Dunmyre. This can potentially help relieve lower back pain, pelvic pain such as round ligament pain and other issues associated with pregnancy. A small 2017 study in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that women who wore pelvic belts for short periods of time had reduced pelvic girdle pain and could more easily do everyday tasks. 

Pregnant women are most likely to feel round ligament pain when they change positions — for example, when sitting up and starting to walk or after engaging in physical activity, Dr. Dunmyre explains — so support bands can be especially helpful for on-the-go moms-to-be. Per the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), pregnancy bands can also help make exercise more comfortable during the later stages of pregnancy. The ACOG says that belly bands may also help support the back and prevent pregnancy-induced back pain.

Many pregnancy belly band makers also claim that their products help prevent stretch marks. However, per the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), many stretch mark prevention remedies don’t actually work. So be skeptical of these claims and remember that stretch marks are a normal, expected part of pregnancy — and nothing to be ashamed of!

It’s also not entirely clear if it’s safe to wear pregnancy belly bands for long periods of time. Some experts worry that overuse of belly bands might make your muscles overdependent on these support garments to function. The above-mentioned 2015 study specifically states that the pain-relieving benefits of belly bands applied only to pregnant women who wore the product regularly for short periods at a time. Additionally, an older 2009 study from the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that support bands could potentially cause skin irritation and discomfort in some people. To be safe, try to remove the band every 1 to 3 hours for 1 hour to make sure you’re giving yourself a break and make sure that the product you buy is supportive without cutting off circulation or restricting movement. And if you have pelvic pain or back pain that worsens or isn’t improved by a pregnancy support belt, talk to your OB/GYN ASAP for help.

Types of pregnancy support belts

Pregnancy support belts and bands come in primarily the same shape: a belt-shaped band of fabric that sits under your bump. Some also feature an additional strap that goes around your bump.

How to choose the best pregnancy support belt

Look for a belt that’s made of soft, adjustable material so that it can expand along with your growing belly. Make sure that the belt isn’t uncomfortable or too restrictive. “If you find them chafing or annoying, abandon them,” says Jennifer Wu, M.D., an OB/GYN and a member of the What to Expect Medical Review Board.

How we made our picks for the best pregnancy support belts

We started by searching for the most popular support bands on the market, including those that are beloved by What to Expect community members. Then we narrowed down our selections to the bands that have earned rave reviews for their quality, design and ability to ease lower back pain. We finished by selecting options with unique features, such as pockets for hot/cold packs and breathability.

Here, the best pregnancy belts to help offer you some relief.