Belly Strap?

Question

When you're at the doctor, do they strap things to your belly? [one for contractions, and one for heartrate] If they don't, do they do it during birth? If so, what does it feel like?

Also [speaking of straps] if you're belly is feeling heavy in your later months, is they're something like a belly strap you can have to make it more comfortable? I heard of something like this, but didn't know if it was true.

Thanks!

so what do the belly straps feel like?
are they tight??

Answer 1

It is NOT critical for most women.

"Avoid continuous electronic fetal monitoring when possible: Continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) increases the likelihood of cesarean section and of vaginal birth with use of vacuum extraction or forceps, with no clear benefit for babies. Talk with your caregiver and check hospital policies to find out whether they will check your baby's heart beats with a hand-held device or occasional use of EFM instead of continuous EFM."

http://www.childbirthconnection.org/article.asp?ck=10170

"A recent study published in a medical journal states that the routine use of electronic fetal monitors, compared to the old-fashioned method of listening to the baby's heartbeat after contractions with a fetoscope, may actually cause more problems than it prevents.[1] In eight randomized clinical trials, perinatal mortality was not reduced with electronic fetal monitoring. And perhaps because electronic monitoring can lead to unnecessary cesareans, birth outcomes were mostly superior in the groups monitored by fetoscope."

http://www.gentlebirth.org/format/myths.html

Worth reading: http://www.hencigoer.com/betterbirth/ -- it has a chapter on it.

Which brings up this Monty Python sketch on childbirth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arCITMfxvEc

Answer 2

I'm not sure how the fetal monitor feels like because I'm not having my baby until February.

As far as the "belly strap", it's a maternity belt. You can buy one for a little over $10 at Motherhood maternity or any maternity store. Some women find it uncomfortable, but what I do is I wear a tank top over my pants (under my shirt/blouse) and I wear the belt under my tank. It's more comfortable. It really helps keep the weight off your back. I have bad backaches and when I use my belt, they're not so bad. Just don't strap it on too tight. :)

Good luck & CONGRATS!

Answer 3

They don't strap you up for regular appointments. Just during labor or if you have to have stress tests.

The belt you are talking about for a heavy belly is something I ended up having to use with my twin pregnancy. It helped me a lot. They are called different things. I think mine was called the pregnancy girdle. There are ones called belly bras too, I think.

Edited to add:

They don't hurt. They itched me a little but they were not that bad.

Answer 4

they do strap the fetal monitor to your belly to listen to the baby and to monitor the contractions. If you want to get up and walk around you can be monitored for 10 minutes ever hour and walk the rest of the time. They do have maternity girdles that do help hold your belly up.

Answer 5

Yes you can buy belly straps. They ease the pain on your back, pelvis and bladder!! They are great. Not uncomforatbale at all.

And only do they strap those straps on you when your in birth. They just feel like elastic bands on your belly.

Answer 6

i haven't had it done during a dr. appointment yet, but i know for a fact that they do it when you're in labor to track the babys heartbeat along wiht yours and to measure the intensity and duration of your contraction. i was told it doesn't feel like anything but a sticker on your belly, some dr. use felt straps instead of little cups, but it doesn't cause pain or anything.

Answer 7

they do put monitors on u when u are in labor, they monitor your labor pains and when the numbers go up, u are in deep pain and need to breathe til the numbers go down.
The best thing for pressure of a big belly is to get off your feet and elevate on the edge of the sofa and take deep breaths

Answer 8

yep the strap is called a pregnancy belt.

havent got as far as labour yet so can help with the other question

Answer 9

fetal monitors do not hurt at all it is a big elastic strap so it stretches and it is not tight or anything

Answer 10

maybe