Many expecting mothers are wary of applying anything to the area of their belly, especially tape. However, kinesiology tape is often used to tape baby bumps and provide more support for both the mother and the baby. Here are a few of the reasons how.

What is Kinesiology Tape?

First created by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1870, kinesiology sports tape is made of cotton fiber that supports the part of the body it is applied to. It is different from traditional tape because it does not limit movement. You can wear kinesiology tape and still go about your day-to-day activities like nothing is attached to your skin. The tape supports, lessens pain, reduces swelling, and improves performance. It is used by therapists, doctors, and chiropractors to treat their patients.  

Kinesiology sports  tape is made with top-notch materials so that the end product has the property of skin elasticity. Once it is applied, it becomes almost like extra skin. The tape also has a waterproof adhesive with a fingerprint pattern, allowing it to stay glued to the skin for days. This glue is heat activated and requires some rubbing for proper taping to the skin. 

Application of Kinesiology Tape During Pregnancy 

The tape supports, lessens pain, reduces swelling, and improves performance. K-tapes have proven to be great for pregnancy support in the third trimester. 

Taping your baby bump with a good Kinesiology tape will benefit you in many ways. Here are some benefits: 

• Reducing muscle fatigue and improving muscle facilitation
• Reducing pain, preventing injuries, and treating injuries
• Decreasing edema or swelling by promoting lymphatic drainage
• Supporting painful joints and strained ligaments or tendons
• Postural support and correction
• Optimising performance
• Rehabilitation and promotion of blood circulation

Application of Kinesiology Tape to Your Baby Bump

Kinesio taping your baby bump, especially during pregnancy, can be tricky since you don’t want anything happening to the unborn child. Here are a few area-specific taping techniques for supporting your baby bump.  

1.Diaphragm Support 

Your womb, diaphragm and lungs are close, which explains why any exaggerated movement by the child will affect these organs. These organs are internal organs for a reason; they are not meant to experience so much force, which is why they are enclosed. 

Any force on your diaphragm or lungs can be excruciatingly painful. This taping method supports the diaphragm and prevents the sudden shortness of breath that mothers tend to feel at this stage of pregnancy. 

Procedure

Laying a strip of tape over the top of the baby bump and pushing it down on either side will assist in moving the baby and uterus lower. For this technique, you must cut out a strip of the tape to the correct length. Then, place the adhesive-coated side of the tape over your stomach. 

Place the middle of the tape to the point you just established and rub on that spot for proper adhesion to your stomach. For each end of the tape, loosen for grip once there is about one to two inches of the tape left. This is to make sure the tape is not too tight. You should have a C shape across the baby bump at the end.

2.Lower Back and Belly Support

This provides support for the belly, lower back, and abdominals. You don’t want to have a parabolic back after delivery? Here is the taping technique for you.

Procedure

First, you cut out the prescribed length of tape. Your doctor will give you the accurate length. After you have cut the tape and torn it out, anchor it to the bottom of your belly and rub for heat-activated adhesion; pull both ends of the tape with some tension, and continue to rub on it as you pull it along your baby bump. You will cut two strips of tape for this technique. 

Tear the tape at the end of each strip, place it on the hip bone, or ASIS, and rub it to activate the heat adhesion. Repeat this with the second strip to make an ‘X’ at your belly button. Don’t forget to loosen the tension when applying the last one or two inches. This helps give it the semblance of skin elasticity so it won’t be too tight.

3.Rectus Abdominis Front Support

A lot of body parts experience pain while you’re pregnant. The belly, back, and abdomen are usually in the most pain, so they will need extra support. This is where the Rectus Abdominis Front Support comes in. 

Procedure

To do this, you first have to cut a strip of tape to the required length, place it under your baby bump, and anchor it by rubbing it to activate heat adhesion. Pull the tape with some tension to stretch as you rub your bump. The last one or two inches should be tension free. Cut another two pieces of tape to the needed length. Apply one to the under of the belly towards the side of the centerline or belly button. Pull up with some force and rub for adhesive heat activation. Do the same for the other side of the belly to achieve the belly, back, and abdominal support you need.

4.Center Rectus Abdominis Support

This method is similar to the diaphragm support. However, this method is used at the bottom of the abdomen, and its purpose is to lift and support your baby bump while also supporting the lower back.

Procedure

You’ll need to cut the required length of tape, apply it under the belly and rub on it for heat; pull both sides up and rub as you apply for proper adhesion to the skin. Measure the second strip of tape and apply it to the center, beneath the belly and over the first piece of tape and rub for adhesion. Pull the tape with some strain up the middle of the belly and over the belly button.

A second strip is wrapped around the low belly and drawn up and over the belly button, ending just below the xiphoid process (right at the bottom of the sternum or breastbone). This second strip will help relieve anterior or front abdominal discomfort as well as lower abdominal discomfort, which runs along the central line of the rectus abdominis’ two halves.

Why Hampton Adams? 

Hampton Adams is the best brand for all of your taping needs. Because we are the best, Hampton Adams Kinesiology tape give you and your baby the support you need during your pregnancy. 

Our tapes assist you by offering the support and stability your muscles and joints need during pregnancy, gently lifting the skin around your baby, inevitably relieving you of the pressure and giving the baby more space. A win for you and a win for your child! Refer to the Hampton Adams website for further details.