The traditional Malaysian Bengkung wrap is normally 12-20 meters of fabric. What is unique about the Bengkung style is that it encompasses both the core and the hips. The functionality of wrapping the core is to:
Benefits
Relieves back pain.
Stabilizes loosened ligaments.
Support of the spine improves energy level.
Improves posture leading to better breastmilk supply and expelling breastmilk.
Encourages repair and closing of the abdominal muscles - diastasis recti.
Material on hips encourages the cervix to close faster and supports weakened perineum.
Holds together the muscles of the abdominal walls allowing for ease of muscle retraction.
Provides support to the torso while vital organs return to their pre-pregnancy position.
What Day Should I Begin Wrapping My Core?
Vaginal delivery with no complications abdominal binding should begin as soon as a new Mother feels up to it, targeting Day 5. A wrap should be worn for the first six weeks and even longer if the Mother is not satisfied with her healing. The pressure of the wrap should be snug, but not too tight. There should not be excessive pressure on one part of the body than another. If there is unequal support, re-wrap your client. It normally takes 4-5 practice wraps to become used to wrapping this type of postpartum garment.
Wrapping vs. Binding
Binding is tighter around the core than wrapping.
Cesarean delivery light abdominal wrapping, for comfort can begin after stitches are healed with no pressure on the incision. Women have commented that their incision and abdomen feels protected with something around it. Normally after 14 days more snug wrapping can occur above the incision area. After 4 weeks, and the incision has healed, staples and/or stitches have been removed; and the care provider has cleared the mother she can begin normal binding. These time frames are all estimates, it depends on a mother's medical condition.
Release of Retained Elements of Water, Fat and Air
During pregnancy, a woman's body retains water and fat, and establishes pockets of air that serve as insulation, and protection, for a growing baby. This causes a Mother's body to swell and expand, including her organs in the womb area such as the cervix and vagina.
The water retained by human cells supports the amniotic fluid in the placenta. The purpose of the air is to cushion a growing baby as well as the mother's internal organs and bones, as her center of gravity shifts as her baby grows larger. Therefore, an expecting mother's body becomes increasingly swollen over the pregnancy and more so during the eighth and ninth months. When the baby is born the retained, or excess, water, fat and flatulence are no longer needed and the cells will naturally release and shrink back to their pre-pregnant size. The purpose of a postpartum abdominal wrap is to speed-up this process with constant support of the core and perineum floor.
It will take 4-5 practice ties before she finds her comfort zone. Encourage her not to give up and remind her all that it does to help her body heal.
Why do women get an after pregnancy abdominal pooch?
When the baby and placenta are birthed this leaves an empty cavity in the lower abdomen that is temporarily filled by the internal organs when they drop down.
As the organs shrink and reposition back they are supported by, and put weight on, the already stretched abdominal muscles that are also relaxed due to the relaxin hormone, which is in the body for three months. The organs push out on the stomach muscles which can stretch them permanently.
Post-Pregnancy Conditions addressed:
Back support.
Cesarean incision support.
Diastasis Recti.
Spine and Posture Realignment.
Pelvic Floor Relaxation.
Weakened Core and abdominal muscles.
The self-wrapping, Bengkung style of abdominal binding is the best-known design to help heal diastasis recti as it keeps constant supportive pressure on the abdomen, core and hip areas. During pregnancy, musculoskeletal changes are stimulated by hormone secretions and the continuous expansion of the uterus.
Some of these changes include:
Back Support
Due to the longer, holistic design of the wrap, binding supports a mama's back and so relieves the back pain associated with the immediate postnatal period. This also helps to reduce the strain involved in lifting and carrying a baby as well as provides back support when breastfeeding as most women don't realize they are slouching.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis recti is the expansion and separation of the abdominal wall. A growing fetus and the increasing weight of a developing baby puts pressure on the abdominal muscles and can stretch the abdomen as much as 50%. The abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis) on either side are joined by a narrow fibrous strip (linea alba) that thins as it stretches. Hormonal changes which happen during pregnancy also cause connective tissue to soften.
Diastasis recti is quite common although there is little research on it. According to a study in the Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 68% of women had diastasis recti above the naval, while 32% had it below. When the muscles separate, their strength is reduced, and can lead to back pain.
The condition is more likely to occur where the abdominal muscles were weak prior to pregnancy.
It is vital that the abdominal wall returns to its pre-pregnancy location to protect internal organs and properly support the torso.
Pelvic Floor Relaxation
The pelvic floor provides balance, body stabilization, and vital organ support. The pelvic floor is the base of the core muscle system, attaching to the abdominal muscles and the sacroiliac joints.
During pregnancy, hormones cause ligaments to stretch, which loosens the pelvic floor structure.
This natural realignment allows the pelvic bones to open for the baby's birth and makes a mama feel a bit wobbly on her feet.
After birth the pelvic floor can remain loose and unstable for up to five months. The pelvic floor acts as the support system for the lower intestine, colon, and bladder, these vital organs may be less supported for a few months immediately postpartum. This lack of organ support is the primary reason why women suffer incontinence when coughing, sneezing, or laughing after giving birth.
Longer Design - Encompasses the Hips
A longer design of a post-pregnancy wrap provides holistic support to the abdominal and pelvic organs, including the muscles in the pelvic area. Support to the pelvic area and perineum is very important in the immediate weeks after birth. The cervix dilates 10 cm when active labor is reached, which is equivalent to the size of an average bagel; it must also close 10cm, which according to the medical community takes on average six weeks. Therefore, a longer-designed wrap that includes the hips allows for constant gentle pressure encouraging the cervix and pelvic muscles to shrink faster without being further stretched by hanging skin or an unsupported body in an expanded state.
Steady, pressured support on the hips allows the body, or cervix, to 'close' faster than if left in its expanded state.
How Long is the Binding Worn?
Abdominal binding is most effective during the first 8 weeks postpartum but can be useful for support after that time frame. It's never too late to start binding. It has been noted to be most effective when done on a daily basis and worn for 8-12 hours a day for six weeks. A new Mother can choose to bind and wear the wrap for shorter periods of time. Modern moms choose not to exceed 12 hours a day as they feel their body needs time to breathe and relax without the wrap in place.
When Not to Wear a Postpartum Abdominal Wrap
If a new mother is going through significant hot flashes, as her hormones re-balance, allow for the body to finish this process. If the flashes are constant the wrap shouldn't be worn as the mother may overheat. If the hot flashes are intermittent the mom may wear her wrap but should monitor the flashes and remove wrap as necessary. She needs to pay attention to the cues her body is providing her. A postpartum wrap is meant to be somewhat comforting and supportive with an acceptable amount of constriction as it isn't meant to stretch. A wrap should not be extremely uncomfortable and restrictive. If a mother feels this way, she should re-wrap her torso.
