Bump, Baby C & Me : Nexcare Maternity Range by 3M direct

I was lucky enough to be contacted by the lovely people over at 3M Direct in regards to their Nexcare Maternity range products. Nexcare have been providing both the medical industry and the general public with first aid products such as bandages and plasters, to pre and post pregnancy support aids for the past 60 years, so they really know their stuff. For those that aren't aware 3M Direct are the creator of lots of your everyday office supplies such as Post-it and Scotch, Nexcare is the medical arm of the business.

I was sent:

The Nexcare Maternity Support Band
The Nexcare Post-partum Support
The Nexcare ColdHot Maternity Compress

The Nexcare Maternity Support Band could not have come at a better time, as you all know I have been suffering with a bit of SPD, especially when I am sat in the office all day. I first wore the belt on a Saturday, it was pretty easy to put on, I did try without reading the instructions but got a little confused, as soon as I took a look the band went straight on with no bother.

It's really not noticeable under my dress, I haven't tried it with trousers yet, just because it's been too hot and humid to wear them. I wore the band for about 4 hours, I wouldn't say you can't feel that you have it on, but you certainly get used to it. The band really helps take the pressure off the Pelvis, I don't know about you fellow pregnant ladies but sometimes I wish I could just lift and carry my bump around with me- well this band does just that.

The band comes in three parts, an under bump support, a back support and an over bump band. I actually prefer to use it without the over bump band.

The band was really supportive whilst wearing it, to the point where I had been walking all day without pain and then it suddenly hit me, that I wasn't waddling or grimacing with every step. I can't believe how well it had worked. Once I took it off in the evening, I still felt really good, I think my Pelvis just needed a bit of a break from all the extra weight. Don't get me wrong, there is no miracle cure for SPD, the band doesn't work as well when I am sat at my desk all day but I think that has a lot to do with being sat for too long and my posture but it still does help!

This belt has my full recommendation!!!

I obviously haven't had a change to try the post-post-partum support band, but as soon as Baby C arrives this will be going straight on- The aim of the band is to support the abdominal muscles after birth. I do think I will have a separating of the muscles (it's quite common after pregnancy) so I hope this and some gentle repair exercise from the Ladies at FitMama will help get my abs back (who am I kidding?? I've never had abs!!!)

I have however been able to use the Hot/Cold Maternity Gel Compress , these are reusable cold hot gel compresses to ease discomfort for breastfeeding mothers. Obviously I'm not breast feeding yet but my boobs have become very sore the past week so I thought I would give these a go. There are two ways these can be used, you can heat them using hot water, or just pop them in the fridge for a while to make them nice and cool, they come with a fabric cover too so don't worry about the heat or cold being directly on your breast. They are a great shape for popping in your bra!

I have only used them cold and they really help ease the pain and discomfort so I can only imagine that they are going to be really effective when breast feeding. I will of course let you know how I get on with them.

All three of these items are reasonably priced and are available direct from the 3M Direct website here: http://www.3mdirect.co.uk/c-479-maternity-relief.aspx

The lovely people at 3M Direct have also given me a 20% discount code for all my readers just enter : 3Mmaternity01 when you place an order with them!!!