Shaping and Supporting Your Midsection Before, During and After

Do you love waist training, but are concerned about how safe it is before, during and after pregnancy? The time you're trying to conceive, the pregnancy itself, and the postpartum period are all vital times for your health and your baby's health. Learn the truth about waist training and your reproductive health so that you can feel confident about your shapewear decisions at every stage.

1) Waist training before pregnancy

Whether you want to get pregnant in the near future or later, there is no evidence that waist training causes any difficulty with conceiving. Have you ever heard it promoted as an effective method of birth control? Of course not. Consider the Western women of the 19^th century who wore corsets regularly from the time they were adolescents. Many of them had no problem getting pregnant 10 or more times over the courses of their lifetimes!

You can safely wear a great waist trainer like the Cincher by Amia for your routine, even if you want to get pregnant at some point. For optimum health, be sure to continually eat nutritious foods and do regular core-strengthening exercises. When you do become pregnant, you'll be in the habit of taking care of yourself and will have a strong body ideal for carrying a baby.

2) Shapewear during pregnancy

Once you confirm that you're pregnant, we recommend switching out your favorite waist trainers for maternity shapewear. You'll want to give your belly room to expand, but you can still wear garments that will support your abdomen and back and help you look smooth and fabulous. Maternity bands, tops and shaping panties are all safe options for this exciting stage. And while you're at it, don't forget to get some quality maternity bras!

3) Postpartum belly binding

Once you've given birth, you might be eager to get back into your waist training regimen. Women have been using postpartum binding techniques for centuries in cultures around the world. Binding can help reduce swelling and may help guide your uterus and internal organs back into their proper place. Talk to your physician to get the green light before trying postpartum binding, particularly if you had a difficult delivery or c-section.

For effective and safe postpartum binding, choose an adjustable garment designed to provide comfortable compression during those tender weeks following childbirth. The Original Belly Bandit is a great option to help you heal. Once you've completely recovered and you've cleared your follow-up appointment with your physician, you can safely transition back to your regular waist trainers once you're ready.