The world of belly binding
The tradition of wrapping the belly has been around longer than you, and I have been in this world. This ancient art has been practiced throughout different continents and cultures, but the purpose was always the same; to gently hold your abdomen in place and provide support for your core and pelvic floor to help your body heal postpartum. It’s always beautiful to see the different variations of something extremely important to postpartum care; some examples are African American/African belly binding, with this type of binding it is encouraged to wrap a cotton sheet around the mother ranging in 2-3 yards in length and securing it around the abdomen, and sometimes your hips. The Sarashi, is a Japanese belly binding typically done by folding the material rather than twisting like the bengkung binding. And, bengkung is a Malaysian tradition that usually binds the new mother for 40-44 days postnatal. During this time, like many other cultures, they rest and limit their movement. As you can see, there are many different ways to wear your binding, but the most important knowledge is to heal, rest and let someone take care of you.
Some benefits of belly binding are:
Provides gentle support for organs to return to pre-pregnancy position
Helps to tone up your abdominal muscles and shape your hips after childbirth
Preventing diastasis recti and helps reposition the uterus, intestines, and other organs back into their proper place
Gives support to the womb after birth
This tradition can be done within 24 hours after birth, but as a reminder, all births are not the same, so for some this may look a little different. If you have a Cesarean (C-section), it is recommended to start belly binding around the 6-week mark to ensure you are properly healed.
Reminders:
This is not a corset. Belly binding is specifically made to fit the postpartum body; corsets can be damaging to the organs, undo the healing process, and can cause poor digestion, etc.
Belly binding should not hurt. It should be a snug fit but never hurt. The binding should be retightened to refit the mother’s body as she wears the binding throughout her postpartum period.
Price:
Belly Binding Care w/ Cloth Included: $175
Belly Binding Care w/out Cloth: $100
Transportation is included for individuals in Metro Atlanta. This price reflects just twos day of service. I will also teach you how to belly-bind yourself before the service is over in case you want to bind yourself for the remaining postpartum care.
WHAT YOU WILL RECEIVE DURING THE IN-HOME BELLY WRAPPING PROCESS:
medicinal compress Massage
An infused hot compress placed on and massaged into the abdomen/womb. This compress is meant to relax and detox the body after birth. This process will leave you feeling renewed, you will take this moment to relax, be taken care of, and have your body infused with postpartum warming herbs. I do this massage to show mothers who look like me that we deserve quality care, healing, and luxury in all things we do.
Infused Warming oil massage
In this process, an infused and warming oil warming will be applied to the abdomen/postpartum belly. The womb massage will be a time for you to relax, and really enjoy being taken cared for. The infused oils are made with the thoughts of healing the womb, reducing inflammation, relaxating, and blood circulation. With those thoughts in mind, I created an infused oil meant to bring all of those qualities while the womb massage helps to which relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and lowers stress hormones, bringing both physical and emotional relief. improving blood flow, and aligning the pelvic organs.
African American Belly Binding
This will be the last step in the belly-binding process. Once both massages have been completed and the stomach has been properly oiled, I will then wrap the mother with in the binding fabric. This ranged about 5-6 feet in length and is usually wrapped and layered to where it is encasing your womb/pelvis, and waist. This provides support for your waist but your pelvis, back, ribs, core engagement, & all organs in-between.