Kinesiology Tape Support for Pregnancy

When your body is growing and shifting in huge ways from one week to another, it can be helpful to have some outside tools that can help you to remain physically supported and comfortable. Kinesiology tape offers an inexpensive and effective alternative to pregnancy support belts, rebozo wearings, etc.

Because the skin of the stomach is especially sensitive, it is important to perform an allergy test prior to utilizing this taping method, even if you have already had positive experiences with KT tape in other areas of your body. To perform an allergy test, simply cut a strip of tape 1-2 inches in length, remove the paper back, and lay it down with NO stretch, to the abdominal area. I have even found differences between the sensitivity of the lower and upper areas of the abdomen, so you might want to place an allergy test strip in both areas. You are cleared to go ahead with the full application if, after 24-48 hours, you have had no itching or discomfort in the area that was taped.

When you are ready to go ahead with the full taping application, begin with clean, dry skin. You will need 4-5 pre-cut strips of tape; each strip should be 5-6 inches in length, with rounded edges.

For abdominal support, begin by removing 1 inch of paper backing to form an 'anchor', and lay the tape down without any stretch, near the middle of the stomach, at the pubic bone. Peel back the remaining paper backing, leaving just a bit on the end to make it easier to hold and manipulate. Stretch the tape significantly, and then place the tape down in a vertical line, along one side of the rectus abdominis. Your final inch of tape, place down without any stretch at all. Repeat this process on the other side / opposite set of abdominal muscles.

For round and broad ligament support, begin by removing 1 inch of paper backing to form an 'anchor', and lay the tape down without any stretch towards your lower back, (near the sides of the mid-lower back.) Peel back the remaining paper backing, leaving just a little paper on the end piece to make it easier to hold and manipulate. Apply a significant amount of stretch to the tape, and place it just along the natural groove between the hips and the stomach, (along the greater trochanter of the hip). The tape will be stretching towards the front of the belly. For the last inch or so of tape, which should be reaching towards the anterior pelvis (near the pubic bone), place it down with zero stretch. Repeat this process on the opposite hip. The final strip of tape will be applied directly over the pubic bone area. Tear the paper backing down the middle of the strip, and peel it back, leaving about one inch of paper on each end. Stretch the middle of the tape, and place it down in a horizontal line across the top of the pelvis. As you lay the ends of the tape down, do so with no stretch.

Now you have a completely custom support taping that can be worn for up to five days.