Lifting the belly during pregnancy enhances comfort, promotes better health. 

ABDOMINAL WALL/ ABDOMINAL MUSCLES RECEIVE NEEDED SUPPORT:
Fear that wearing a support will weaken abdominal muscles is unfounded.  Strong musculature will take only the support it needs.  Weak, overwhelmed musculature performs inefficiently and may even go into spasm. Taking weight off abdominal musculature with a lifting support is a tremendous advantage for most women.  In addition, abdominal support may ease, prevent or minimize diastasis and hernias.

BACK MUSCLES are ASSISTED:
Low back musculature contracts strongly to keep belly weight from falling forward.  Backache may be significant and will probably increase with each pregnancy.  BabyHugger will lift weight off the back.

LIGAMENTS are PROTECTED, INCONTINENCE MAY BE PREVENTED:
Women report that taking pressure off round ligaments with a lifting support relieves aching.  Supportive bladder ligaments travel up the belly wall and elongate as the belly grows. Overstretched ligaments never return to their previous length. After delivery, overstretched bladder ligaments let the bladder sag, altering the mechanical advantage of the angle of the bladder neck for retaining urine.

PRE-TERM CONTRACTIONS RESPOND FAVORABLY
Reports from clinicians and clients indicate that intensity and duration of pre-term contractions lessen when weight is lifted off the cervix. Patients report that they have been able to return to part-time work and resume gentle walking for exercise. Much is unknown about pre-term contractions but if babies are  in-utero longer because of BabyHugger, benefits are immeasurable.

PELVIC PRESSURE is RELIEVED:
The constant downward weight and pressure of the heavy abdomen during the last trimester can cause the perineal muscles to slacken and lose tone. Women report great relief from pelvic pressure and that “falling out feeling” with BabyHugger’s lifting support. 

VENOUS RETURN is FACILLITATED:
When compressive weight is lifted off the pelvic floor and off the veins, there is more “room” for venous return. Varicosities in the perineum, rectum, vagina and legs may be prevented; aching is minimized. 

URINARY FREQUENCY REDUCES:
BabyHugger takes weight off the bladder.  Urinary frequency will reduce significantly.

THE CENTER of GRAVITY is NORMALIZED:
Good posture is energy efficient! The weight of the pregnant belly moving forward encourages hyperlordosis and low backache. Secondary postural reactions (forward head) can cause upper back pain and headache. If the belly weight is gently brought closer to the spine and then softly lifted to the shoulder girdle, posture markers will simulate pre-pregnant status.  Energy will increase.