A corset is a tightly-fitting woman’s undergarment extending from below the chest to the hips, and is worn to shape the figure. It acts as frame or mould for your body and encourages weight loss following childbirth through a combination of compression and induced perspiration.

Before getting a postpartum corset, these are few considerations you must take into account:-

• Postpartum corsets should feel really firm, with very little elasticity. If the corset is too loose, it will not have the required shaping effect and your effort from wearing it day and night will be wasted.
• Look for a corset with a special flap for easy bathroom use; otherwise you will have to take off the entire corset for each bathroom visit, which is very cumbersome and time-consuming – you might just give up after a few attempts!
• Try to avoid latex materials if your skin is prone to allergy.
• Avoid wire supports that sit vertically below your bust, as they either poke uncomfortably into your breasts when you sit down, or onto your thigh. Wire support on the sides is far better for you and more comfortable.
• Choose a corset that is panty-like and supports your lower abdomen up to just below your breast. That way, you have your entire abdomen covered and compressed.
• Some corsets are very short, covering just above the navel. Such corsets aren’t recommended in this instance, as the lower abdominal fats are pushed up and out of the corset, creating an unsightly muffin-top look. 

Muffin-top Source: Glamour.com

Choosing a postpartum corset that works for your body shape can be a breeze once you have a good grasp of the differences between their fundamental designs and purposes:-

Belly Wrap

1. Belly Wrap

• Appropriate for woman who has shorter torso, so the wrap can cover the entire abdomen
• Not so for woman with longer torso as it creates a muffin top effect, and causes too much downward abdominal pressure that may harm the womb and pelvic floor muscle.

Waist Cincer

2. Waist Cincher

• Appropriate for woman who has shorter torso, so the wrap can cover the entire abdomen
• Not so for woman with longer torso as it creates a muffin top effect, and causes too much downward abdominal pressure that may harm the womb and pelvic floor muscle.
• Some waist cincher are made of very elastic materials with wire support at the front which may poke into your breast or thighs when sitting.

C-Section Support Belt

3. C-Section Support Belt / Wrap

• C-section support belt made of cotton is a great tool to support C-section healing and the womb.
• This should NOT be worn as abdominal binders as the width is too small to cover the entire abdomen.
• May give a muffin top look if you have a thicker layer of fats in your abdomen.

C-Section Panty

4. C-section Panty

• Like the C-section Support Belt, a C-section Panty is great for C-section healing and provides comfortable compression for scar healing.
• Compression cannot be adjusted so when your tummy size shrinks further, you may need a smaller size panty
• The panty normally covers below your navel and therefore not a good choice if you’d like to compress your entire abdomen.

Postpartum Panty Like Corset

5. Postpartum Panty-Like Corset

• Recommended type of corset among all others as this corset provides good abdominal support entirely.
• May create a muffin top for woman who has thicker fat deposits on your abdomen
• Woman with longer torso may find the corset not able to cover the entire abdomen
• Choose one with wire support on the sides
• The top of the corset may roll down if there is no wire support for this type of corset.

High Waist Panty Like Corset With Strap Support

6. High-waist Panty-Like Corset with Strap Support

• This is by far the most comfortable and supportive postpartum corset
• Strap support prevents the top corset to roll down during use and wire support are not necessary for these type of corsets
• High waist model covers the entire abdomen well, even for woman with longer torso
• This could double up as C-section healing support.

Don’t forget to check in again for another article where I will share with you the tips on why it is so important to use the postpartum corset correctly!

Karen Loke, Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums廿一世紀美麗優雅, 衣著時尚的産後媽媽最關注又最貼身的課題(除了育嬰以外)相信就是産後修身吧? 而挑戰這課題的成敗關鍵就非選擇最適合自己的[産後束腹帶]莫屬. 選對了, 有事半功倍之效, 但選錯了非旦白費心機, 而且有可能對妳的健康有影響!

KAREN   小貼士

這裡為大家分享一些在你未購買任何[産後束腹帶]之前必須考慮到或注意的事項:-

1. 當穿上[産後束腹帶]時感覺應該是很牢固，很少彈性的。如果[産後束腹帶]太鬆的話，那它就失去應該具有所需的整形效果，穿了也白費你的心機與努力。
2. 盡可能選擇“複合式”設計而非“笠式”設計的[産後束腹帶]. “複合式”設計的[産後束腹帶]方便妳在上洗手間時能快速又自如的鬆開而上完洗手間後可再輕鬆自如的綁好. 否則，這日常上洗手間的小事會因妳穿上了[産後束腹帶]變得非常繁瑣和費時的 – 你嘗試幾次後可能會乾脆放棄不再穿上那[産後束腹帶]從而失去修身機會, 那豈不是太可惜了！
3. 若妳有皮膚過敏症就盡量不要選擇以”膠乳”為原料的[産後束腹帶].
4. 盡量避免選擇在胸圍下方有金屬絲支撐的[産後束腹帶]. 當妳坐下來時它有可能捅入妳的乳房或大腿. 若金屬絲支撐是在左右兩側那會比較舒適.
5. 盡量選擇”高桶內褲“ 型的[産後束腹帶]. 這從下腹向上延伸到胸圍的設計可以給予妳整個腹部完整無缺的, 均勻的壓縮讓妳的身體自然的重塑.
6. 市面上有些[産後束腹帶]或(褲)的設計非常短, 它們只覆蓋到媽媽肚臍的部位.  我不建議選擇這些[産後束腹帶]因為它把沉積在下腹的脂肪往上推, 但又因為設計短的原因造成腹部贅肉橫向地在[産後束腹帶]頭凸出, 非常不雅. 英文有個非常有趣而又很貼切的形容詞為[muffin-top] – 我故且就翻譯成[鬆餅頂部]的效果吧, 嘻!

Muffin-Top 源自Glamour.com

下面我會圖文並茂為妳剖析市面上六類最常見的[産後束腹帶]設計. 一旦妳掌握了這些[産後束腹帶]的基本設計和目的及它們之間的差異後, 選擇一個適合你身形的[産後束腹帶]就可以是一件輕而易舉的小事一樁了：-

腹部包裹型

腹部包裹型 (Belly Wrap)

1. 適用於擁有較短的軀幹身型的媽媽，這類設計可以覆蓋較短軀幹身型媽媽的整個腹部.
2. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計，因為它會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果，並導致過多向腹部位置往下推的壓擠力，很可能會傷害子宮和盆底肌肉。 

腰夾式塑身型

腰夾式塑身型 (Waist Cincher)

2. 適用於擁有較短的軀幹身型的媽媽，這類設計可以覆蓋較短軀幹身型媽媽的整個腹部.
3. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計，因為它會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果，並導致過多向腹部位置往下推的壓擠力，很可能會傷害子宮和盆底肌肉。
4. 市面上流行的腰夾式塑身型[産後束腹帶], 是由非常有彈性的材料縫製，並且在胸圍下方有金屬絲支撐. 坐著時可能會捅着媽媽的乳房或大腿。

剖腹產型 – 腰帶或包裹

剖腹產型 – 腰帶或包裹 (C-Section Support Belt / Wrap)

3. 通常是棉製, 它是每位剖腹產媽媽的最佳拍擋, 其特點是幫助剖腹產媽媽C-部分和子宮的自然癒合。
4. 這類設計不應該被用作[産後束腹帶]因為它的寬度太小，不能以均勻舒適有力的壓縮力覆蓋媽媽的整個腹部所以未能達到重塑身型的目的.
5. 若媽媽有脂肪沉積在腹部就可能會形成[鬆餅頂部]的效果。

剖腹產型 – 內褲

剖腹產型 – 內褲 (C-Section Panty)

1. 像剖腹產型腰帶或包裹，這設計是每位剖腹產媽媽的佳音, 其特點除了是幫助剖腹產媽媽C-部分和子宮的自然癒合外，並提供舒適的壓縮力促使手術後留下的疤痕的癒合。
2. 這褲的壓縮力無法被調整，所以當肚子尺寸進一步的縮小時， 可能需要買一個更小尺寸的褲, 穿不足一兩個月就棄用, 不環保也有點不划算!
3. 這褲的設計一般只覆蓋到媽媽的肚臍部位，因為不能覆蓋媽媽的整個腹部所以未能達到重塑身型的目的.

産後束衣 – 內褲型

産後束衣 – 內褲型(Postpartum Panty-Like Corset)

1. 我會推薦此設計，因為它給產後媽媽提供了全方位腹部的覆蓋。
2. 若媽媽的腹部沉積了較厚的脂肪, 使用此設計的束衣有可能會形成一個[鬆餅頂部]的效果.
3. 擁有較長的軀幹身型的媽媽必須避免選擇這類設計因為此設計無法覆蓋驅幹較長的媽的整個腹部.
4. 緊記要選擇有左右兩側金屬絲支撐的款式.
5. 如果沒有左右兩側金屬絲支撐的支撐, 産後束衣的頂部可能滾下來, 不適也不雅觀。

高腰線産後束衣 – 內褲型(緞帶)

高腰線産後束衣 – 內褲型(緞帶) (High-Waist Panty-Like Corset with Strap Support)

1. 這是迄今為止市面上流行, 最舒適和最有支撐力的[產後束腹帶].
2. 緞帶的支撐防止[產後束腹帶]頂部滾下來; 此設計也不須要金屬絲支撐, 非常舒適.
3. 高腰線設計給予產後媽媽的腹部一個完整的覆蓋，即使擁有較長軀幹身型的媽媽也適用.
4. 這款式也可以用來兼任C-部分的癒合.

下星期我將與你分享為什麼要正確使用[產後束腹帶], 它與妳的健康又有什麼關係！記得回來噢.

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師 Karen Loke

The post Which Postpartum Corset Is Right For Me? appeared first on Restoring Mums.

It is common for Malay or Indonesian masseurs to correct the positioning of the womb for a women’s wellness, for the Malays believe the womb is a woman’s core and her outward beauty is a reflection of the condition of her womb. In South East Asia, “No cold drinks” and “No lifting of heavy objects” are common words of advice given by our grandmothers and mothers, believed to maintain womb health and wellbeing.

So what really does it mean to have a “low hanging uterus or womb”?

When I first studied Malay postnatal massage, be it in a university setting, in a modern spa or via traditional Malay masseurs, I was taught the position of the womb and how to massage – yet many of my questions on anatomy were never convincingly answered.

However, when I studied The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® by Dr Rosita Arvigo, I realised how similar these two cultures are in terms of correcting womb positioning, and exactly how a misaligned uterus affects our health. Dr Arvigo has derived her specific therapy technique to help reposition reproductive organs and improve blood flow to digestive organs using an external, non-invasive hand manipulation method.

Here I’d like to share what I learnt and explain what it means when you are told that your uterus (or womb) has “dropped”.

A uterine prolapse is commonly known medically and refers to a condition when the uterus slips down into the vagina. A hollow, muscular organ roughly the size of a fist in a non-pregnant state, the uterus is suspended in the pelvis by fourteen ligaments and connective tissue and supported by the pelvic floor muscles. It is positioned in the lower medial pelvis, slightly above the bladder and in front of the colon, which allows for maximum circulation of arterial blood, nerve supply from the spinal column, exiting venous blood and lymphatic drainage.

The uterus is connected to the vagina by the cervix in a continuous flow of tissue.

Prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments are stretched and weaken, no longer providing adequate support for the uterus, which slips down into or protrudes out of the vagina.

Potential causes of uterine prolapse include:

• Damage to supportive tissues during pregnancy and childbirth
• The effects of gravity over time
• Loss of oestrogen as the woman matures
• Repeated straining over the years

The uterus can also slip out of place because ligaments and connective tissue are subject to lengthening and shortening and occasionally become distorted or inelastic. A displaced uterus can also be referred to as the following:

• Tilted uterus or tilted womb
• Retroflexed uterus
• Retroverted uterus
• Anteflexed uterus

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® teach that proper knowledge and application of repositioning techniques helps them to heal. So why does it matter to know the condition of our womb?

Following are some common symptoms of a displaced uterus:

1. Menstrual problems – painful periods; late, early or irregular periods; unusually dark, thick blood at the onset or end of menstruation; related headaches or migraine
2. Urinary issues – frequent urination, bladder infections and incontinence
3. Ovulatory symptoms – irregular or painful ovulation
4. Musculoskeletal indications – low backache, sore heels when walking

What causes these conditions? According to Dr Arvigo, the main reasons are:

1. Repeated pregnancies close together with difficult deliveries

When pregnancies occur close together, there is insufficient time for the length and strength of uterine ligaments to normalise before the next baby is conceived, especially in the case of large babies or complicated deliveries.

2. Undue pressure is placed on the uterus during pregnancy, birth and postpartum

The abdominal organs above the uterus can weigh up to 40-60lbs. When a woman lifts a heavy object, the diaphragm places downward pressure on her abdominal organs. The pelvic floor muscles (which have experienced recent strain during childbirth) may be unable to withstand further pressure and weight from above. This often results in a uterine prolapse. Carrying heavy objects may also harm the uterine ligaments and muscular wall, which takes time to heal. The Mayans believes in wearing a “faja” (abdominal wrap or postnatal corset) and similarly the Malays wear a “bengkung” – both are made of cloth and support the uterus until the ligaments have time to heal and revert back into their proper position and length.

Womb Position At 40 Weeks Pregnant

The above picture shows a stretched Round Ligament, Broad Ligament and Uterosacral Ligament, connecting the uterus to the pelvis and sacrum. (Source: The Growing Uterus Chart: 40 weeks pregnant at term picture.)

Additionally, Dr Arvigo also lists the following as potential causes for a displaced uterus:

• Scarring from adhesions as a result of endometriosis or fibroids
• Injury to sacrum or tailbone from a fall or accident
• Wearing high-heeled shoes
• Running on cement surfaces; high-impact dancing, aerobics or sports
• Chronic cough
• The aging process

Similarly, the Malays believe the uterus needs to be returned to its original position following childbirth to prevent prolapse and side effects such as incontinence. The sixty-day period following delivery is the recommended timeframe to care for the uterus to allow it to heal and return to its pre-pregnancy size and position, especially given the fact that the relaxin hormone is still naturally present in the body during this time.

Karen Loke, Founder and Practitioner, Restoring Mums如果妳曾經進行由印尼或馬來人主理的產後按摩，妳會知道甚麼叫「子宮下垂」。在馬來語中，它被稱為「peranakan jatuh」。我能夠讀寫馬來語，因此我很高興可以研究現存極少部分可用的文獻，以及與很多經驗豐富但非常謙虛的馬來傳統產後護理治療師對談，交換意見並從中學習相關知識。

馬來或印尼的按摩師以糾正子宮的位置去調理女性的健康是很常見的事。馬來人認為子宮是女性身體的核心，她的外在美反映了子宮的健康情況。在東南亞，我們的祖母和媽媽輩經常提醒我們「戒生凍食物」和「不要提重物」，去保持子宮的健康和福祉。

到底，「子宮下垂」的真正意思是甚麼呢？

當我第一次學習馬來產後按摩時，無論是在大學學府、現代水療中心學院或通過傳統的馬來按摩師的指導，我都會學習到子宮的位置和按摩方法，但是我有好多關於從人體解剖學角度瞭解子宮按摩的科學根據問題還未得到有說服力的解答。

可是，當我到美國猶他州學習Rosita Arvigo博士的Maya腹部治療Arvigo技術®時，說到還原子宮位置和錯位的子宮究竟是如何影響我們的健康時，我終於明白到這兩種馬來與馬雅女性護理文化是如何地相似。Arvigo博士導出特定治療技術，使用外部的、非入侵性的手動操作方法去幫助重新定位生殖器官和改善血液流向消化器官的情況。

接下來我想分享我所學的，以及解釋一下當妳被告知「子宮下垂」時，究竟是甚麼意思。

子宮脫垂是醫學上常見的名稱，指的是子宮滑落到陰道。子宮是一個在非妊娠狀態時有著拳頭大小、中空的肌肉器官。它由14條韌帶和結締組織懸吊在骨盆內，以及由骨盆底肌肉支持著。它位於內側骨盆的下部分，略高於膀胱和在結腸的前面。這允許動脈血可以作最大的循環、從脊柱供應神經、排出靜脈血液和淋巴引流。

子宮是由子宮頸以一條連起來的組織連結至陰道。

當骨盆底肌肉和韌帶被拉長和削弱，不再提供足夠的支持予子宮時，子宮就會脫垂，滑落至或突出陰道。

子宮脫垂的潛在原因包括：

• 支持組織在懷孕和分娩過程損壞
• 地心吸力的影響
• 女性成熟時雌激素減少
• 多年反覆的用力

子宮滑落的原因也可以是因為韌帶和結締組織受到拉伸和縮短，而有時變得扭曲或失去彈性。子宮脫位也可以被簡稱為：

• 子宮傾斜
• 子宮後翻
• 子宮後傾
• 子宮前屈

Maya腹部治療Arvigo技術®教授了正確的知識和子宮重新定位的技術，去幫助醫治子宮脫垂的問題。那麼，為甚麼知道自己子宮的狀況是那麼重要呢？

以下是一些子宮脫位的常見症狀：

• 月經問題──經痛；經早、經遲或月經不調；月經開始或結束時不尋常的深色和血厚；相關的頭痛或偏頭痛
• 泌尿問題──尿頻、膀胱受到感染和尿失禁
• 排卵期的症狀──不規則或排卵痛楚
• 骨關節肌肉的症狀──下腰腰酸，走路時腳後跟痛

是甚麼原因導致這些情況？根據Arvigo博士，主要原因是：

1. 頻密的懷孕和難產

懷孕頻密時，就沒有足夠的時間讓子宮韌帶在下一次受孕前還原它的長度和強度，特別是在體型大的胎兒或難產的情況下。

2. 懷孕、分娩時和產後不必要的壓力被施加在子宮上

子宮上方的的腹部器官可重達40至60磅。女性提重時，膜片就會向下施加壓力予腹部器官上。（在分娩時剛承受過負擔的）骨盆底肌肉可能不能夠承受進一步的壓力和重量，因而時常引致子宮脫垂。提重還可能會損害子宮韌帶和肌壁，並需要時間來癒合。瑪雅人的「faja」（腹部包紮或產後束腹帶）和馬來人的「bengkung」，兩者都由布料製造，可以支持子宮，直至韌帶癒合和回復到其原本的位置，長度。

Womb Position At 40 Weeks Pregnant

上圖顯示了被拉伸了的圓韌帶、闊韌帶和子宮骶骨韌帶，連接子宮至骨盆和骶骨。（來源：The Growing Uterus Chart: 40 weeks pregnant at term picture.）

此外：Arvigo博士還列出以下子宮脫位的潛在原因：

• 因子宮內膜異位和子宮肌瘤而引致的黏連疤痕
• 骶骨或尾骨因跌倒或事故而受傷
• 穿著高跟鞋
• 在水泥表面跑動；高強度的舞蹈、健美操或運動
• 久咳不愈
• 老化過程

同樣，馬來人相信在產後是需要讓子宮回復原位的，以防止子宮脫垂和其他併發症，例如失禁。產後的60天是最好的時間，去讓子宮復原至懷孕前的大小和位置，特別是因為考慮到鬆弛激素在這段時間仍然殘留於體內而可以被引導幫助媽媽修身。

Restoring Mums創辦人和治療師Karen Loke

The post Womb Position Can Determine Your Health appeared first on Restoring Mums.

slimum Treatments

Karen’s tried-and-tested ‘recipes’ and techniques address both cosmetic issues (bloated tummies, wider waistlines, hips and scarring), and overall women’s wellness (poor circulation, hormone regulation, swelling relief, involution and womb integrity, stress relief, expelling trapped lochia and separation of abdominal muscles [diastasis recti]) to achieve optimum recovery post-delivery – a truly holistic approach to your postpartum health and wellbeing.

As the delivery of every child brings a unique maternal experience, we will start by understanding your personal condition and then customise each treatment accordingly – from specific massage strokes to the oils and herbs best suited to you. Restoring Mums offers the following postpartum wellness treatments (many passionately but loosely label it as Jamu Massage, belly binding, tummy wrap), each can be tailored made to meet each individual’s unique needs:-

1. slimum TUMMY – Signature Treatment (45 Minutes)

2. slimum BODY – Total Relaxation & Rejuvenating Treatment (75 Minutes)

3. slimum by KAREN – All You Need To Regain Your Figure and Wellness (75 Minutes)

Treatments take place in the comfort of your own home, so there’s no need to travel during your confinement period.

TheMamaPost Editorial所有Restorming Mums(www.restoringmums.com)的slimum專業產後修身護理療程和它們的成分都經過特別的設計，並由Karen Loke根據她產後修復的廣泛研究和培訓去嚴選的。

Karen嘗試不同的技術和設計不同的療程去解決外觀問題（腹部腫脹、寬大的腰圍和和臀圍）、撫平疤痕和改善女性的整體健康（血液循環不暢、荷爾蒙調節、平服腫脹、器官衰退和子宮完整性、舒緩壓力、排出惡露和腹部肌肉的分離[腹直肌分離]），以達致最佳的產後修復效果──一個給妳真正全面的, 自然的產後護理和促進健康的方法。

由於每位媽媽分娩的體驗都是獨特的，我們會先花時間去了解妳的個人狀況，再設計針對性的療程，以找出特定的按摩動作和最適合妳的精油和草藥。
Restoring Mums提供以下的產後健康護理療程（流行統稱為Jamu按摩、束腹、束肚或腹部包紮），每種都可以度身訂做，以滿足每個人獨特的需求：

1. slimum TUMMY 腹部療程 – 高效益療程，主要針對腰部和腹部位置（45分鐘）

2. slimum BODY 身體療程 – 徹底放鬆與活膚更新護理（75分鐘）

3. slimum by KAREN 療程 – 皇牌治療，由Karen設計和主理, 全力塑造身形和重拾健康（75分鐘）。

我們受過專業訓練的治療師會親來到妳的府上為妳提供細心呵護的服務，免卻坐月子時的周車勞頓。

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