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Best Pregnancy Support Bands

Updated December 2021
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Gabrialla Elastic Maternity Belt
Gabrialla
Elastic Maternity Belt
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Best for Athletes
Bottom Line

Moms-to-be who want to hit the gym throughout their pregnancy should consider this support belt from Gabrialla.

Pros

Reduces lower back pain through compression and hip support. 6-inch deep pockets allow heat or cooling therapy packs inside the belt. Intended to help facilitate exercise. Helps lessen the depth and amount of stretch marks. Reduces lower back pain. Supports the uterus. Helps with walking, running, and active cardio. Helps lift belly off bladder.

Cons

Makes bending down even more difficult. Must remove to use the restroom.

Best Bang for the Buck
NEOtech Care Pregnancy Support – Waist/Back/Abdomen Band
NEOtech Care
Pregnancy Support – Waist/Back/Abdomen Band
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Pain-relieving
Bottom Line

Gives moms-to-be relief from back, pelvic, and abdominal pain, especially those who spend a lot of time standing.

Pros

Helps alleviate lower back, hip, and leg pain. Sizes small to XXL. Choice of beige, black, or white. Reinforced hook-and-loop closure. Breathable fabric constructed of a multi-layered laminate with elastic lining. Includes abdominal lift attachment. Soft, strong, and comfortable. Easy to adjust from sitting to standing.

Cons

Must either undo the belt or pull the whole band up to use the bathroom. Hook-and-loop fabric is strong enough to damage delicate clothing.

AZMED Maternity Belt
AZMED
Maternity Belt
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Budget-friendly
Bottom Line

A popular and affordable maternity belt that delivers good support without adding extra bulk.

Pros

Relieves hip, pelvic, and lower back pain through a combination of support and gentle compression while cradling the abdominal muscles. Wide, curved front doesn’t shift or ride up as easily as others. Remains reasonably comfortable whether sitting or standing. Adjustable up to 46".

Cons

Adjusting the belt could be a little easier. Ladies with smaller bellies may be left with some excess fabric.

Babo Maternity Belt
Babo
Maternity Belt
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One Size Fits All
Bottom Line

This one-size-fits-most band is designed for daily wear and helps correct posture problems caused by changing center of gravity.

Pros

Helps relieve hip, pelvic, and sacroiliac pain and minimize spinal strain. Helps correct posture. Designed for daily wear. Made of soft, breathable material. One size fits most, up to 48 inches. Comfortable for standing and walking. Supports back without being too constrictive. Gives a lot of room for adjustment.

Cons

May not fit larger customers or customers in the last weeks of pregnancy.

Belevation Women’s Maternity Support Bellt Band, XXL
Belevation
Women’s Maternity Support Bellt Band, XXL
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Discrete Choice
Bottom Line

Ideal if your belly is too sensitive for strapping systems or if you want to have hidden support under a layer of clothing.

Pros

Made of seamless, breathable, moisture-wicking Nylon and Spandex blend. Easy care for machine washing. One of few pregnancy support belts that comes in plus sizes. Available in two colors. Ideal for pregnancy as well as post-partum.

Cons

Some reports that support is inadequate and could be difficult to get on by yourself.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Consumers
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Buying guide for best pregnancy support bands

When you’re pregnant, the extra weight of the baby puts pressure on your body, causing aches and pains. But thanks to pregnancy support bands, you can experience some relief and return to enjoying the special time in your life.

Pregnancy support bands wrap around your belly in different ways to provide support to your abdomen, back, and pelvis. Their unique design uses flexible materials and adjustability features so you can get the right fit every day. These soft lightweight bands are comfortable for all-day wear to accompany you as you run errands, hit the office, or exercise. Wear one under your clothing if you want to be more discreet, or simply strap it over a fitted top and you’re ready to go. 

If you’re looking for relief, it’s right around the corner. We put together this definitive guide on pregnancy support bands, so you can choose one as the perfect supportive accessory until your bundle of joy arrives.

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Even if you don’t wear your pregnancy support band all the time, you should keep it on hand anyway. In the event you experience discomfort or difficulty supporting your belly, you can simply reach for the band in your bag and continue with your activities.

Key considerations

Measuring your belly correctly

When it comes to choosing the right size, pregnancy support bands have their own range like that of braces and medical devices. The packaging of many styles stipulate that the small, medium, and large sizes don’t correspond to traditional pant sizes. In other words, just because you wear a large in pants, doesn’t mean you’ll require a large pregnancy support band. Instead, each brand has a recommended measuring guide to assist you. 

Generally speaking, there are a few ways you could be required to measure yourself. For some bands, you’ll need to measure around your back to the widest part of your belly. Another method is to measure the circumference from your lower back to beneath your belly. Other belts, particularly those with strapping systems, could need combined measurements of your belly, back, and hips. For the most accurate measurements, you could ask someone to assist you to ensure your measuring tape sits evenly around your body.

Strap systems of support

  • Minimal: If you only need minimal support, there are pregnancy support bands that simply slip on and don’t have major strap systems. They could also wrap around your belly and pelvis with a wide Velcro band. Discreet bands that are easily concealed often fall in this category as well. 

  • Medium: For medium support, look for bands that have multiple Velcro sites. They’re strategically located to add support to the areas that need it the most. There are also some bands that feature panels with reinforced stitching, which provide firm yet flexible support. The structure is similar to a corset with soft fabric boning.

  • High: For the highest level of support, brands with advanced strapping systems are best. They often include multiple straps and Velcro sites around your belly. However, it’s a bit more complicated to secure these areas, and it could take extra time than with other bands. Other highly supportive bands include straps that attach to your belly band and go around the back and shoulders. Their goal is to provide additional support by gently pulling your belly upward to create an even distribution of weight across your upper body. 

How to wear it

Most pregnancy support bands are versatile enough to be worn both over and under clothing. If yours has an advanced strap system and you’d like to wear it over your clothes, fitted tops work best. They don’t obstruct the fit by bunching up and stay put to minimize chafing. If you’d like to wear a pregnancy support band under clothing, directly on the skin, or between layers, it’s best to wear loose tops to make space for it, as constricting clothing could be bothersome or make you feel too warm. 

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Expert Tip
In bands with Velcro systems, use a toothbrush to clean the Velcro of thread, fiber, and dust to ensure an even, secure attachment every time.
STAFF
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Features

Colors

Pregnancy support bands have a limited color selection. For the most part, expect to only see them in black, skin tone, white, and occasionally gray. Very few models on the market come in more than one color, so if you’re drawn to a specific color, say to match your clothing, you could be limited to that specific style. 

Materials

The stretchy, comfortable support that pregnancy bands provide is attributed to unique blends of flexible materials. The most common blends include nylon, spandex, and cotton for breathable support. To further cut down on sweating and chafing, some bands are wick-away to keep you even cooler. In addition to the band’s overall material, ancillary areas of closures and straps often include Velcro systems, elastic bands, and padded mesh. These are strategically placed through the different styles to further reduce tension and pressure.

Accessories

  • Anti-chafing cream: This special cream or lotion provides a thin, moisturized barrier between the pregnancy support band and your body. If you intend on wearing your band directly on your skin and it irritates easily, anti-chafing cream could be a lifesaver.  

  • Delicates wash bag: Having a dedicated wash bag separates your pregnancy support band from being damaged in the washing machine. Not only will it stay protected from wrapping around the machine, it also prevents the Velcro from snagging other items in the load.

  • Wedge pillow: To continue belly support around the clock, use a wedge pillow while you sleep. If you want to limit your pregnancy support band use during the day, wedge pillows are soft alternatives that tuck in neatly with the rest of your bedding. 

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Expert Tip
If you wear a pregnancy support band with shoulder straps, adjust the straps so they don’t dig into your shoulders and cause bruises. It’s also a good idea to check whether they are placed in the correct position on your shoulders to relieve tension, as opposed to being too close or too far from the center.
STAFF
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Pregnancy support band prices

Inexpensive: At the low end of the range, between $15 and $22, you’ll find bands that focus on support for the lower part of your belly. These styles are either strap-free or have basic strap systems. 

Mid-range: These pregnancy support bands, priced between $22 and $40, include styles with advanced strap systems that relieve tension from multiple areas of the body, including the lower back and groin. 

Expensive: Between $40 and $50 are styles that either come as value packs with other helpful pregnancy accessories or ones that are medical-grade in orientation and design. They tend to have stronger materials and better quality elastic, which is what drives the price up the most.

"Invest in more than one pregnancy support band if you expect to wash it regularly. Having a spare is helpful so you can give your other band adequate time to wash and dry. "
STAFF
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Tips

  • Get a laundry rack. For pregnancy support bands that are line-dry only, a laundry rack will let you spread them out so they dry thoroughly and more quickly. 

  • Wash with detergent for sensitive skin. If your skin is sensitive, wash your pregnancy support band in detergent that is allergy and dye-free to reduce the occurrence of irritation. 

  • Measure your belly often. Adjust the band as your belly grows to ensure a comfortable, supportive fit throughout each phase of your pregnancy.

  • Store it after your pregnancy. Keep your band somewhere easy to find so you can use it for your next pregnancy instead of purchasing a new one.

Other products we considered

We like the reinforced design of the Sui Song Maternity Belly Band. In addition to the support provided by the underbelly belt, there’s a bra-strap system that provides additional support and tension relief. With a high level of adjustability in both areas, you can find a comfortable, supportive fit that won’t squeeze on your belly or abdomen.

If you’re looking for firm support while you exercise, the LucyVee Maternity Belt is an ideal pick. This pregnancy preparedness value pack comes with the belt, three bra extenders, drawstring storage bag, and a free eBook. And the wrap can grow with you through your pregnancy, as it can fit any waist size up to 48 inches. 

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If you would like a pregnancy band that is less conspicuous, opt for streamlined styles or ones that come in neutral colors that blend in with your clothing.

FAQ

Q. Am I supposed to wear my pregnancy support band outside my clothing or under it?
A. Most support bands available will fit just fine either way. Some bands, particularly those with strapping systems, can be worn over clothing, though it’s probably best to avoid loose or ill-fitting sweaters with it. The bunching of the fabric could affect the overall fit in that case. 
 

Q. Will I be able to adjust my pregnancy support band by myself?
A. For the most part, pregnancy support bands are easy to put on and adjust yourself. Some strap systems are easier to adjust with a second pair of hands, but it’s not impossible to do on your own. If anything, you’ll need to remove and reapply the band a couple times if you’re adjusting it yourself. There are also slip-on pregnancy support bands with no adjustability, which are the easiest to take on and off. 
 

Q. How do I know if I’m wearing my pregnancy support band correctly?
A. The user guide or online tutorial videos could guide you through the steps of wearing your support band correctly. If you’re still concerned about tightness and placement, it’s a good idea to bring it to your OB/GYN’s office. The physician or nurse can instruct you on proper wear and adjust it for you. If you’re experiencing any chafing or skin irritation from the straps, they could also prescribe pregnancy-safe cream or salve for relief. 

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