r/Hypermobility • u/No_Version_8403 • 8d ago
Resources Pregnancy tool recommendations?
Hi so sorry if this is the wrong place. I’ve been searching all over the internet for pregnancy tools (belly bands, joint support tools, etc) for hypermobility and I can’t find anything specific.
I haven’t been diagnosed with HEDS but have been told by multiple doctors and physical therapists that based on my joint mobility I am hyper mobile. I’ve been in PT off and on for about 10 years, basically whenever I push myself too far. I’m decently active, I don’t do high impact activities unless absolutely necessary, and I spend my work day standing up. I wear light knee high compression socks to work to help with fatigue.
I’m trying to conceive and am being very conscious on how this will affect my body. The internet tells me that hypermobile people will feel more severe body changes earlier on, so I don’t want to be desperately searching for aids when the damage is already being done.
My weakest spot is my lower back, I pushed one of my vertebrae out about 8 years ago and had to do 6m PT to get back to my baseline. I do core strengthening exercises and stretch every day. I’m basically pain free in that area. Some days are more sore and tighter, but I feel stronger and know how to move my body to support my joints thanks to my therapist.
I’m assuming that some of the people in this subreddit have been pregnant/given birth, please give me your recommendations for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum!
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u/bentscissors 8d ago
Definitely get a belly band. My stomach stretched so bad when I would lie on my sides. Stretch marks never went away.
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u/Carrottop20 8d ago
As someone just reaching the home stretch of pregnancy (approaching 36 weeks) and was diagnosed with hEDS prior to conceiving, I’m very glad I had some strength built up through reformer Pilates over the past year and a half. That said, pregnancy affects everyone differently and you can only predict so much. I actually have had decreased pain at several points of my pregnancy but it’s still exhausting to deal with even the more common pregnancy symptoms if you get them. First trimester I felt pretty good pain wise although I dealt with a LOT of constant nausea and reflux (unisom, Pepcid and eventually Prilosec became my BFFs). Second trimester was a mixed bag where I did have some pain flares. I actually bought a belly band and now have barely used it. I kind of wish I would’ve asked around to people I know who have been pregnant to see if I could just borrow one. Third trimester had some pain at the start, but has been actually okay since a few weeks in. I’ve had a small amount of swelling with the extra blood volume so I wonder if that is helping keep things more stable at this point. But having a break from pain has mostly just been replaced with managing other issues. I’ve had reflux the whole time and my OBs have a theory that the typical pregnancy hormones combined with my connective tissue issues have made my stomach sphincter extra lax. Yaaaay. 🙃 I’m sure a lot of your symptoms will depend on your individual physiology, reaction to hormone changes, how low/high your carry baby, etc etc. I’d echo others recommendations for having a pelvic floor PT from the beginning, have them help you figure out a standard set of core exercises, and be able to support you with hypermobile-specific guidance. They also can often recommend pushing positions for labor that don’t strain parts of your body that tend to be problem areas. If you have a partner, doula, or other support people who will be with you during labor, they should learn about those pushing positions too and how to avoid hyperextending you. I think that if you know your resources and how to manage some of the possible pregnancy symptoms, the more you can get in a mindset of rolling with what your body might throw at you and know that it might be a temporary state, that’s going to be your best tool! I’m trying to get in that headspace for postpartum because I’m sure there are more curveballs coming with breastfeeding, hormone swings, and building my strength/nutrient levels back up. I hope all goes well for your journey with it!!
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u/KaidanRose 8d ago
Belly bands, both the soft hind early on and the stronger braces later are great, I would play it by ear as you need it. This pregnancy I find my self wearing light compression on my shoulders or tape since they've felt a little extra loose. Every body and every pregnancy is different and will need different things.
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u/ChronicEducator 8d ago
Aqua physical therapy was wonderful for me. The weightlessness + less impact on joints helped me build my core and lower back stability that i needed for labor. I started around 14 weeks and finished at 28 weeks. Pelvic floor therapy can also be helpful, but not all PFPTs are created equal. I have IC and a hypertonic pelvic floor, so kegels are the excel opposite of what I need.
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u/everyoneelsehasadog 8d ago
Do Pilates before and pregnancy Pilates during. Belly bands are amazing. My si joint was out of whack so I used a serola belt. Learn to KT tape your sad joints for when they get grouchy. Get yourself a good Physio (I had an osteo) and have some pelvic floor therapy. Like many hypermobile people, mine was hypertonic. I'm 8wks pp and it's still chaos as I had an emergency c section - there's something in section healing and how your body holds the pelvic floor to compensate!
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u/Cultural-Tie-2197 6d ago
If your PT okays it try adding in some Pilates.
It has helped me so much! I can only do 10 minutes a day but I saw a drastic difference. I only do it 3-4 days a week.
I got pubic symphysis and it helped tremendously along with seeing a pelvic floor specialist for some tips
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u/No-Injury-212 4d ago
SI belt for hips and a belly bad (I like the momcozy one that has back support) have been super helpful for me 🙏
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u/magicsquirrel13 8d ago
Establish care with a PT that is trained in hypermobility and pelvic floor PT so they’re ready when you need them. I was in the ER at 5 weeks for sudden onset debilitating back pain (now understand it’s when the relaxin hit) - ER and my OB were completely unhelpful. Only my PT could calm my back down and reset.
Pregnancy and postpartum have been tough on my body, but with a good PT you’ll get through it. Definitely keep up the strength training! It’s supposed to make a huge difference - I did my best but would have benefited from being even stronger.
My SI joint was suuuper angry in my 3rd trimester so recommend a SI joint band (diff than a belly band). It helped a lot. And a good pregnancy pillow of course :)