Do support belts prevent preterm labor?

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I do high risk antepartum home care. A lot of my patients have a history of PTL and are on bed rest or progesterone now. One of my patients said her doctor told her that if she buys a maternity support belt she won't go into PTL. She's stressing about it because she doesn't have the money to buy it and her insurance won't cover it, but I've never heard of that before. I had a maternity belt when I was pregnant to prevent lower back pain and relieve the pressure towards the end. I don't think that a piece of vinyl and velcro can prevent PTL though. Has anyone else heard of that?

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Specializes in Nurse Leader specializing in Labor & Delivery.

No there is no evidence to support that.

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No. They do not prevent PTL. Also, if she wants one for low back pain there are a ton of programs she can get them for free from. Some insurances and then also community support programs. If there is an ob case manager around, they might be able to help her find one.

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Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I just want to say that when I was pregnant with twins I was also working full time as a staff nurse on a busy hospital floor. I purchased a maternity "girdle". It doesn't hold you "in" it holds your belly "up". That really helped me to be more comfortable. I also wore thigh high TED hose. I never had edema and I worked until I went into labor at 39 1/2 weeks.

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Specializes in Family Practice.

They make pregnancy compression hose that come up over the belly. I have heard they help with support and swelling, not PTL. They are costly though, but can be purchased through DME/ pharmacy.

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