Postpartum Belly Binding, Bekung Belly Binding, Tummy Binding

Any woman who has given birth can tell you that the feeling of a squishy belly after several months of a taught firm belly feels a little weird. All of those months of your baby and uterus growing, your skin stretching, and your hips widening takes a toll on your body. Those first few days postpartum are something to get used to. We don’t have the same balance, as now we don’t have the extra weight pulling us forward. We don’t sleep in the same positions because now that baby isn’t in the way but we can’t go back to our pre pregnancy positions either because the uterus still needs to shrink down. Something we don’t often think about though is the baby, uterus, skin, and hips aren’t the only parts undergoing a transformation. The muscles are also equally affected. The great news is, belly binding can help! 

WHAT IS POSTPARTUM BELLY BINDING?

Bengkung Belly Binding is a traditional Malaysian belly binding method. Basically, it is a long strip of cloth that is wrapped around the abdominal area in the postpartum period, offering support to the womb after birth.

This helps to support the back in the postpartum period, decreases bleeding by speeding up the process of getting rid of waste in a natural way, and pulls the abdominal muscles that have separated back together. It is an ancient form of healing after birth.

 This bind is 12M long and from 16- 22 cm wide. Bengkung belly bind is a traditional method of postpartum belly binding to provide support for internal organs and muscles.

  The Belly binding is essential for proper support and quick recovery during and after pregnancy.

  -It helps to relieve pelvic pains, stress from the back

 - improves the condition of muscles and ligaments, helps abdominal muscles recover faster after pregnancy

- reduces postpartum hemorrhage,restores the woman’s dynamic mode of movement, that is, the previous center of gravity is restored, the woman stops moving, as during pregnancy, the gait is restored

- helps in recovery with diastasis and prolapse of internal organs

 - used to support the abdomen and prevent prolapse of the internal organs during physical activity with older babies; Benkung is also used to support men and children after repairing hernias rib fractures. 

The belly binding can be an important part of recovering from childbirth.  

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BELLY BINDING?

There are several benefits of postpartum belly binding, including:

Repairing the diastasis recti -  during pregnancy, the growing uterus stretches the muscles in the abdomen. This can cause the two large parallel bands of muscles that meet in the middle of the abdomen to separate — a condition called diastasis recti or diastasis recti abdominis. The Malaysian technique of Bengkung binding is helpful in bringing those bands of muscles back together in order for the Linea Alba, or connective tissue, to strengthen and support the muscles more effectively.

Pelvic Support - In addition to supporting the abdominal area, belly binding also provides support for your pelvic area. During childbirth, a woman’s body produces something called Relaxin, which helps her body physically become looser and more flexible in order to birth her baby. When binding postpartum, we take advantage of the Relaxin in the body by putting pressure on the hips and pelvis to go back to its pre pregnancy state more easily. This also helps to firm and support the areas that are still loose from pregnancy as the Relaxin reduces in the body.

Lower back support - The binding is also helpful in supporting the lower back. It is well known that the abdominal muscles have a direct relationship to the back muscles. The abdominal muscles and back muscles are key components of [a] muscular network, and provide the strength to keep the body upright and for movement. When these core muscles are in poor condition, additional stress is applied to the spine as it supports the body, and back injury or back pain is more likely”.  With the abdominal support, the back is supported as well. Having lower back support helps to reduce strain and improves posture.

Emotional/Spiritual benefits - Many women enjoy the modesty of being able to breastfeed without the worry of their belly being exposed. Women also enjoy the process of taking care of their bodies and being able to focus on their recovery and the healing process. They are able to really take that time out each day for self-care and get in touch with their new self and their new role as a mother. Many women use binding as a spiritual or symbolic closure of their pregnancy; especially if they didn’t receive the birth they envisioned.

WHEN SHOULD I GET WRAPPED?

It is recommended that for a vaginal delivery, you be wrapped within the first week postpartum and if you have had a cesarean 4-6 weeks postpartum with a doctor’s approval. You will continue to wrap for each day, for about 10 hours, up to around the 40 day mark.

A handmade 100% cotton gauze Bengkung wrap

Length 12M and 16cm width for height under 150cm woman  HKD 90/piece

Length 12M and 18cm width for height 150-159cm woman  HKD 95/piece

Length 12M and 20cm width for height 160-169cm woman  HKD 100/piece

Length 12M and 22cm width for height 170cm or above  woman  HKD 105/piece

Additional wraps are available for purchase

HKD 80/pieces