GB2510212A

GB2510212A - Maternity support garment

Info

Publication number: GB2510212A
Application number: GB1314092.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Emma James
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-28
Filing date: 2013-08-07
Publication date: 2014-07-30
Also published as: GB201314092D0

Abstract

The garment 10 includes a retaining portion 16 which encircles the torso of a pregnant user 12, above a baby bump 14. The retaining portion 16 extends through a lower portion 22 to a sacroiliac belt 18 which encircles the pelvis of the user 12. A cup region 34 extends, in use, from the retaining portion 16 and supports the baby bump 14. During use, the sacroiliac belt 18 provides compression to the pelvis of the user to help manage symphysis pubis dysfunction during pregnancy and post partum. In use, the retaining portion 16 tends to maintain the sacroiliac belt 18 up at the chosen height relative to the pelvis. The garment 10 may be a girdle or other undergarment, an overgarment or an item of swimwear.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Applicathin No. (iBI3I42.6 RTM DaL:22May2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should he rcad as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Inlelleclual Property Office is an operaling name of the Pateni Office www.ipo.gov.uk Imixovements in or Relating to Garments The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to garments.

Examples facilitate management of symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP).

Symphysis pubis dysfunction is most commonly associated with pregnancy and childbirth. It is a condition that causes excessive movement of the symphysis pubis, either anterior or lateral, as well as associated pain, possibly because of a misalignment of the pelvis. Symphysis pubis dysfunction is a condition that is associated with pelvic girdle pain and the names are often used interchangeably. It is thought to affect up to one in four pregnant women to varying degrees, with 7% of sufferers continuing to experience serious symptoms postpartum.

Symphysis pubis dysfunction is a very painful condition in pregnancy where the pelvis becomes unstable and stretched apart at the front by tensing muscles at the back. Conventional wisdom says it must be endured and as the foetus gets larger the condition becomes more debilitating. As well as affecting about 70,000 pregnant women in the UK in 2009 the condition can last for years after birth. It manifests itself as a continuous ache and severe pain during movement.

Examples of the present invention provide a garment comprising: a retaining portion which, in use, grips the torso of a pregnant user, above the baby bump; a sacroiliac belt connected with the retaining portion and which, in use, encircles the pelvis of the user; and a supporting cup region extending, in use, down from the retaining portion and under the baby bump, to cup the baby bump and support the baby bump from the retaining portion; wherein during use, the sacroiliac belt provides compression to stabilise the pelvis and the retaining portion tends to hold the sacroiliac belt up at the chosen height relative to the pelvis, and tends to take at least part of the weight of the baby bump off the pelvis of the user.

In this specification, the term "baby bump" is used in the colloquial manner to refer to the enlargement of the abdomen, which occurs during pregnancy.

The retaining portion may encircle the torso. The retaining portion may be elastic. The retaining portion may be reinforced around the top edge to resist the upper edge rolling down the torso, during use. The retaining portion may extend sufficiently above the sacroiliac belt to grip the torso between the baby bump and the breasts of the user. The retaining portion may comprise a fixing for securing the retaining portion to a bra worn by the user. The retaining portion may extend down the back and/or sides of the torso of the user. The retaining portion may be connected with the sacroiliac belt at the level of the pelvis of the user. The retaining portion may comprise padding positioned against the body of the user, during use. The padding may comprise a body of foam material and/or crystals and/cr gel. The padding may be positioned over the sacroiliac joints of the user.

The sacroiliac belt may be shaped to fit under the baby bump of the user. The sacroiliac belt may extend across the front of the pubis of the user, during use. The sacroiliac belt may comprise padding positioned against the body of the user, during use. The padding may be positioned against the hip joints and/or the pubis of the user. The padding may comprise a body of foam material and/or crystals and/or gel. The sacroiliac belt may be adjustable in girth. The sacroiliac belt may comprise an attachment arrangement for attachment to another garment worn by the user.

The cup region may comprise a single region of material or a plurality of regions of material which together form the cup. The plurality of regions may overlap. The plurality of regions may overlap below the baby bump. Each of the regions may be attached to the retaining portion and extend down a respective side of the bump and under the bump. The regions may be attached at the lower end thereof to the sacroiliac belt. The cup region may be

adjustable.

The garment may be formed, at least in part, from technical fabric to provide moisture management and/or temperature management for the user. The garment may comprise at least one pocket for containing a body of copper and/or a magnet and/or a local heat source and/or a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator machine. The pocket may be in the region of the sacroiliac joint and/or the pelvis of the user, when in use.

The garment may fully enclose the body of the user, at least from the sacroiliac belt to a height above the baby bump. The garment may further comprise a bra portion. The garment may further comprise braces which extend, in use, over the shoulders of the user for support.

The garment may be an undergarment, outergarment or an item of swimwear.

Examples of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a garment in the form of a girdle; Figure 2 shows a front view of the girdle; Figure 3 shows a front view of the girdle with more detail of the adjustable sacroiliac belt; Figure 4 shows a further view, partly to one side, showing a supporting cup to support the baby bump; and Figure 5 is a front view of a further alternative garment.

Overview Referring first to Figs. ito 4, the drawings show a garment 10 being worn by a user 12. The illustrated garment lOis an example of garments in the form of a girdle for wearing as an undergarment. The user is shown in the drawings as pregnant, having a baby bump i4. The girdle iO includes a retaining portion 16 which, in use, grips the torso of a user 12, above the baby bump 14. The girdle 10 also has a sacroiliac belt 18. The sacroiliac belt 18 is connected with the retaining portion 16 and encircles the user 12, around the pelvis. The girdle 10 also has a cup region 34 (see below) extending, in use, down from the retaining portion 16 and under the baby bump 14, to cup the baby bump 14 and support the baby bump 14 from the retaining portion.

During use, the sacroiliac belt 18 provides compression to stabilise the pelvis of the user. The retaining portion 16 tends to hold the sacroiliac belt 18 up at the chosen height relative to the pelvis. The retaining portion 16 also tends to take at least some of the weight of the baby bump 14 off the pelvis of the user.

Retaininci Portion In this example, the retaining portion 16 encircles the torso of the user 12.

The retaining portion 16 includes a ring of elastic material which tends to contract in order to grip the torso. The upper edge 20 of the retaining portion 16 is reinforced. This may be by forming a seam, incorporating additional elasticated material at the edge 20 or by other means. The reinforcement of the upper edge 20 improves the grip of the upper edge 20 around the torso.

The reinforcement also resists the upper edge rolling or slipping down the torso during use, for example while the user is moving.

In this example, the retaining portion 16 includes the upper edge 20 around the torso, and also includes a lower retaining portion 22 which extends down the back and side of the torso of the user. The lower portion 22 extends down to the level of the pelvis of the user, at which level the lower portion 22 is connected with the sacroiliac belt 18, for example by stitching. Other alternatives are discussed below. Consequently, the torso is encircled both by the upper edge 20 of the retaining portion 16 and by the sacroiliac belt 18, and the lower portion 22 connects these encircling formations together. In this example, the lower portion 22 extends sufficiently above the sacroiliac belt to place the upper edge 20 so that it will grip the torso between the baby bump 14 and the breasts 24 of the user. At this height, the torso can be gripped firmly in order to retain the position of the sacroiliac belt 18, but without undue discomfort for the user. The grip is borne by the rib cage of the user.

Within the lower retaining portion 22, padding may be provided which will rest against the body of the user, during use. For example, padding may be provided in the region 26. The padding 26 is positioned over the sacroiliac joints of the user. The purpose of the padding 26 is to avoid unnecessary discomfort caused by pressure from the girdle 10 on the sacroiliac joints.

The upper edge 20 may also carry a fixing 27, such as a hook or clip, allowing the upper edge 20 to be fixed to a bra (not shown) worn by the user 12. In this example, the fixing 27 is at the front of the girdle 10, against the breast bone.

Sacroiliac Belt The sacroiliac belt 18 extends around the pelvis of the user 12. The belt 18 is therefore below the level of the baby bump 14. The purpose of the sacroiliac belt 18 is to provide compression to the pelvis. This stabilises the pelvis to help relieve symphysis pubis dysfunction pain. For this purpose, the sacroiliac belt 18 may be formed of a strong elasticated or stretch material.

Modern production techniques for elasticated and stretch material may allow the material to be sufficiently strong to stabilise the pelvis, and also to be sufficiently stretchy to expand as the pregnancy progresses. Alternatively, the girth of the belt 18 may be adjustable, by an optional mechanism indicated schematically at 28. The adjustment mechanism 28, if provided, may be in the form of hook and eye fixings, hook and fleece fixings such as Velcro (RTM) or other adjustable mechanisms. The purpose of adjustment is to allow the strength of compression exerted by the belt 18 to be adjustable and also to allow the belt 18 to be adjusted for pelvic support during pregnancy and postpartum.

The belt 18 may incorporate padding positioned against the body of the user, during use, particularly at pressure points or sensitive positions. In this example, padding 30 is provided at the front of the user 12, positioned against the pubis region of the user. Additional padding indicated generally at 32 may be provided against the hip joints of the user. The purpose of the padding 30, 32 is to allow compression to be applied to the pelvis by the belt 18, without undue pressure points arising around the torso of the user 12, in order to improve management of SPD and PGP pain, without creating additional unnecessary discomfort.

The belt 18 may further comprise an attachment arrangement (not shown) for attachment to maternity briefs, tights, swimming costumes or other garments, Supporting Cup The girdle 10 further comprises a supporting cup region, shown particularly in figs 2 and 3. The cup region 34 extends down from the retaining portion 16 at positions indicated at 36 and under the baby bump 14, generally at 38. This allows the cup region 34 to provide a supporting cup for the baby bump 14, helping to support the weight of the baby bump 14 from the retaining portion 16. That is, part of the weight of the baby bump 14 is transferred into the cup region 34, which in turn transfers the weight to the retaining portion 16, at the positions 36. The retaining portion grips the rib cage of the user, in this example, so that at least part of the weight of the baby bump 14 is taken off the pelvis of the user. That part of the weight is transferred to the rib cage, by the retaining portion 16. Reducing the weight on the pelvis is expected to reduce pain and discomfort experienced by the user, and may also enhance the effectiveness of the belt 18 in stabilising the pelvis. In this example, the cup region 34 comprises a plurality (in this case, two) of regions of material which together form the cup region 34. In other examples there may be a single region of material or more than two. In the illustrated garment, the regions are labelled 34a and 34b. Each of the regions 34a, 34b is attached to the retaining portion 16 at the respective position 36 on respective sides of the girdle 10 and hence on respective sides of the baby bump 14, when worn.

Each region 34a, 34b extends down the respective side of the bump 14 and round under the bump 14, where the portions 34a, 34b cross over in the region 38 and are then each secured to the sacroiliac belt 18 generally at 40.

Each of the regions 34a, 34b may be adjustable as indicated schematically at 42. This allows adjustment of the size of the cup formed by the cup regions 34a, 34b to accommodate the increasing size of the baby bump 14 as the pregnancy progresses.

When the cup region 34 is formed of a single region of material, there will be no cross over region 38, and it is envisaged that the garment 10 can be formed in a seamless construction, at least around the baby bump and the pelvis.

Material Choices and Other Alternatives Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative example garment. The example of Fig. 5 has all of the features of the first example described above and additionally incorporates a bra portion 44. The bra portion 44 incorporates bra straps 46 which serve as braces over the shoulders of the user 12. Accordingly, the garment illustrated in Fig. 5 may be used as a girdle as described above, or may be in the form of swimwear or other outerwear. Alternatively, braces or straps 46 may be used over the shoulders of the user and have direct attachment to the upper edge 20, without the bra 44 being provided.

In the examples shown, the garment 10 is open to the front, between the upper edge 20 and the cup region 34. Alternatively, the cup regions 34a, 34b may be extended or supplemented by an additional region of material, in order to fully enclose the body of the user 12, at least from the sacroiliac belt 18 to a height above the baby bump 14 corresponding with height of the upper edge 20.

Many different materials can be used in the formation of the garment 10.

Many elasticated fabrics could be chosen for reasons of comfort. Fabrication techniques for elasticated material now have wide variation in the overall strength of the elasticity, and allow local variation within a single sheet of fabric, so that the garment 10 can be locally strengthened or weakened. For example, the garment 10 will be required to be relatively strong in the region forming the sacroiliac belt and may be much softer or gentle in other regions, such as the lower retaining portion 22. Different materials could be chosen for different regions of the garment 10. Technical fabrics could be used, particularly for moisture management and/or temperature management in the interests of the comfort of the user 12.

Pockets can be formed around the garment 10, and various positions. One example pocket 48 is indicated in fig. 1. Pockets may be desirable for a body of copper and/or a magnet and/or a local heat source and/or a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS) machine. It is found that holding one of these items against the body of the user 12 can help relieve some of the symptoms associated with SPD and PGP pain.

Concluding Comments Many variations and modifications can be made to the apparatus described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Many different sizes, shapes and relative sizes and shapes of components and regions can be chosen, particularly according to the physique of the intended user. Many different materials, including those conventionally used for the construction of underwear or other garments can be chosen for the construction of the garment 10.

The garment 10 is desirably constructed in a seamless manner for further improvement of the comfort of the user 12.

The garment may be an undergarment such as a girdle or tights, or an outergarment, or an item of swimwear.

When the garment is worn beneath outer clothing, the presence of the sacroiliac belt is discreetly hidden. The retaining portion 16 functions to retain the sacroiliac belt 18 in the desired position, thereby enhancing the comfort of the user.

Summary

The drawings illustrate a hidden sacroiliac belt/pelvic support. The hidden sacroiliac belt 18 will preferably be adjustable to use postpartum. This belt will stabilise the pelvis relieving symphysis pubis dysfunction pain. The sacroiliac belt will preferably be able to be attached to another pregnancy girdle of a different style. The extra padding 32 will be there to provide extra comfort and will preferably be on the sacroiliac belt for the hips as a major symphysis pubis dysfunction symptom can be grinding hips. The extra padding 26 for the sacroiliac joint will help relieve symphysis pubis dysfunction pain in one of the main effected areas. The non-roll down effect of the upper edge 20 is just over baby bump 14 to give that extra support as the baby bump grows and baby bump eventually drops in the third trimester.

The adjustable clip 27 may be added for extra support as baby bump drops in the third trimester if needed. The hidden cross over at 38 will be there for extra support to hold the baby bump 14 up off the pelvis. The rounder shape of the sacroiliac belt 18 under the bump 16 will preferably include extra padding 30 for comfort.

The girdle 10 may be used by all mums-to-be and symphysis pubis dysfunction sufferers. This girdle will assist in relieving sacroiliac joint pain (back ache), hold the pelvis together and support baby bump all in one. It will assist in managing symphysis pubis dysfunction by controlling the movement and stabilising the pelvis by holding it together using the sacroiliac belt and by lifting baby bump and taking pressure off the pelvis by using the cup region 34. The girdle will not roll down below baby bump and will provide real support and may use an adjustable clip to hook over the bra as baby bump grows. The sacroiliac belt may have extra padding and a rounder support for baby bump.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modification may be made.

Accordingly, in the examples provided above, there is provided a girdle comprising a sacroiliac belt. The belt will be hidden during use.

The girdle is able to support the abdomen whilst at the same time relieving sacroiliac joint pain and pelvic pain by giving the pelvis more stability. It may be adjustable to changing shape and will fit around the bump to take the pressure from off the pelvis. It may be a discreet and comfortable support.

The design may be made to ensure a non roll-down effect, particularly at the upper edge 20. It may lift the baby bump to help relieve discomfort in the back, pelvis, abdomen and hips. There may be extra support and added comfort for the sacroiliac joint area and hips. The hidden Sacroiliac belt may be adjustable to support the pelvis in pregnancy and/or postpartum.

The pregnancy girdle may take the extra weight of baby bump off the pelvis relieving pelvic girdle pain in the lower abdomen, hips and sacroiliac joint area. There may be extra support for the baby bump using a hidden cross over effect like a wrap around inside the pregnancy girdle.

The hidden sacroiliac belt may help with most hip, low back pain and pelvic instability by supporting the pelvis, restricting movement and controlling the condition.

The girdle may be more supportive than conventional attempts to support the baby bump and help ease aches and pains in pregnancy especially in the third trimester of a pregnancy.

There may be extra padding in the sacroiliac joint area, as described. Any of the padding described may be memory foam, crystals or gel. This extra support may or may not have a cooling or heating sensation to relieve sacroiliac joint pain. This padding may provide extra support to this area when sifting or suffering from sacroiliac joint pain.

The sacroiliac belt may be adjustable to use postpartum, for example by using hooks and eyes or Velcro to attach to the girdle. Sacroiliac belts, in general, are regarded as one of the best belts ideal for most hip and low back pain, maternity pelvis instability, sacroiliac syndrome and acute lower back pain.

The hidden sacroiliac belt may have a rounder finish underneath baby bump for extra comfort and so it does not dig in and cause added pain.

There may be an optional adjustable clip or extra material to hook onto the sufferers bra for added support as baby bump grows.

There may be extra optional padding in the hip area taking pressure off the hips while wearing the hidden sacroiliac belt.

There may be extra optional padding in the pubis area taking pressure off the pelvis while wearing the hidden sacroiliac belt with a rounder shape under bump for extra comfort.

The sacroiliac belt may optionally be able to be attached to another pregnancy girdle of a different style.

Claims

Claims 1. A garment comprising: a retaining portion which, in use, grips the torso of a pregnant user, above the baby bump; a sacroiliac belt connected with the retaining portion and which, in use, encircles the pelvis of the user; and a supporting cup region extending, in use, down from the retaining portion and under the baby bump, to cup the baby bump and support the baby bump from the retaining portion; wherein during use, the sacroiliac belt provides compression to stabilise the pelvis and the retaining portion tends to hold the sacroiliac belt up at the chosen height relative to the pelvis, and tends to take at least part of the weight of the baby bump off the pelvis of the user.
2. A garment according to claim 1, wherein the retaining portion encircles the torso.
3. A garment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retaining portion is elastic.
4. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion is reinforced around the top edge to resist the upper edge rolling down the torso, during use.
5. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion extends, in use, sufficiently above the sacroiliac belt to grip the torso between the baby bump and the breasts of the user.
6. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion comprises a fixing for securing the retaining portion to a bra worn by the user.
7. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion extends, in use, down the back and/or sides of the torso of the user.
8. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion is connected with the sacroiliac belt at the level of the pelvis of the user.
9. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining portion comprises padding positioned against the body of the user, during use.
10. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the padding comprises a body of foam material and/or crystals and/or gel.
11. A garment according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the padding is positioned, in use, over the sacroiliac joints of the user.
12. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the sacroiliac belt is shaped to fit under the baby bump of the user.
13. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the sacroiliac belt extends across the front of the pubis of the user, during use.
14. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the sacroiliac belt comprises padding positioned against the body of the user, during use.
15. A garment according to claim 14, wherein the padding is positioned, in use, against the hip joints and/or the pubis of the user.
16. A garment according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the padding comprises a body of foam material and/or crystals and/or gel.
17. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the sacroiliac belt is adjustable in girth.
18. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the sacroiliac belt comprises an attachment arrangement for attachment to another garment
19. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the cup region comprises a single region of material or a plurality of regions of material which together form the cup.
20. A garment according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of regions overlap.
21. A garment according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the plurality of regions overlap below the baby bump.
22. A garment according to claims 19, 20 or 21, wherein each of the regions is attached to the retaining portion and extends down a respective side of the bump and under the bump.
23. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the regions are attached at the lower end thereof to the sacroiliac belt.
24. A garment according to any preceding claim, wherein the cup region isadjustable.
25. A garment according to any preceding claim, formed, at least in part, from technical fabric to provide moisture management and/or temperature management for the user.
26. A garment according to any preceding claim, comprising at least one pocket for containing a body of copper and/or a magnet and/or a local heat source and/or a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator machine.
27. A garment according to claim 26, wherein the pocket is in the region of the sacroiliac joint and/or the pelvis of the user, when in use.
28. A garment according to any preceding claim, the garment fully enclosing the body of the user, during use, at least from the sacroiliac belt to a height above the baby bump.
29. A garment according to any preceding claim, further comprising a bra portion.
30. A garment according to any preceding claim, further comprising braces which extend, in use, over the shoulders of the user for support.
31. A garment according to any preceding claim, where the garment is an undergarment, outergarment or an item of swimwear.
32. A girdle substantially as described above, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
33. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any ot the preceding claims.