Exercise - Albany,MN

There is a book called "Lose your Mummy Tummy" that promotes the use of a belly band. I think the author might even sell them. Some people swear by them. I am quite skeptical, as I think it is not helpful in helping to build core strength. I think it would act more like Spanx than anything else.

When you start exercising after pregnancy, you will want to rebuild your core and close any diastasis recti (separation of your ab muscles) that might have occurred when you were pregnant. Otherwise, your exercises might make it worse. Good luck to you!

I used one after my second pregnancy. My sacroiliac went totally out of whack. However, after around 6 months, and a bunch of physical therapy, it was back in place, and I no longer used the band.

It seems good for those periods where your joints are really loose from the pregnancy. After that, I don't see why it would be useful, but I don't see how it would cause any harm, either.

Agreed that rebuilding your core is the optimal way to go. I could see how after 4 pregnancies though you might need a little help. Brooke Burke sells a product called Baboosh baby that is a belly wrap for post pregnancy that sounds like it is what might help you. I had one that I used after my second for a little while that I really liked.

OK so we're talking about 2 different things...
A belly band, in the post-natal sense, exists to help close a diastasis recti. Since a lot of exercise can actually exacerbate an existing diastasis, the band assists in holding the rectus abdominus together, in theory, re-training the muscle into the proper position.
The "lose your mummy tummy" book works on your transverse, which is the muscle underneath the rectus abdominus (6 pack muscles down the front). Once the transverse is properly strengthened, the overlying muscles can close properly when trained properly.

That said, it sounds like your MT is concerned about uterine prolapse, which is DRAMATICALLY different. I would suggest you talk to your OB about that, if that is genuinely the case. That is not something that a massage therapist should be "treating" you for or making recommendations around. Not to mention....how would he/she even know that that was genuinely something you are at risk for? I'm assuming they were not present during your deliveries, nor your post natal internal follow-ups....
Either way, if uterine prolapse is seriously the concern, a belly band is not going to help it.
Go see your OB.

I haven't used one, but I can see that it might be helpful. I'm 36 wks along with my 4th baby since 2007 and my uterus does feel like it needs more support when I am active. Even just lots of walking or stair climbing seems to stress it, and I end up cradling my abdomen as I go about my day.