Welcoming a new baby is one of life’s most transformative experiences, but postpartum recovery often comes with physical challenges that many women feel unprepared for. From abdominal separation (diastasis recti) to pelvic discomfort and back pain, new mothers may experience symptoms that can affect their daily lives, confidence, and ability to care for their baby.
Abdominal support garments, such as Tubigrip, SRC Recovery Shorts, and abdominal binding, are designed to provide stability and comfort during the postpartum period. These products offer targeted support to reduce discomfort, aid recovery, and help you regain confidence as you adapt to life after childbirth.
In this guide, we’ll explore the role of these three postpartum support options, outlining when and how to use each one. We’ll also provide evidence-based insights into their benefits and explain how they can complement a broader recovery plan that includes core-strengthening exercises and professional care. Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a cesarean delivery, this article will help you make informed decisions about postpartum recovery.
Tubigrip is a lightweight, stretchy bandage that offers gentle compression for your abdomen during the early postpartum period (0–14 days). Follow these steps to use it effectively:
Measure and Cut:
Use a length of Tubigrip that fits snugly around your torso, from just below your bust to your hips.
The material should feel secure without being overly tight. You should be able to breathe and move comfortably.
Apply the Tubigrip:
Roll the Tubigrip up like a sock, step into it, and pull it up slowly to cover your abdomen.
Ensure it lies flat against your skin to avoid bunching, which can create pressure points.
Adjust for Comfort:
The Tubigrip should provide light compression and feel supportive, not restrictive.
If it feels too tight, try a larger size or cut a slightly longer piece.
Wear During the Day:
Use Tubigrip during daily activities when you need extra support, such as feeding your baby, walking, or performing light household tasks.
Avoid wearing it while sleeping to allow your body to rest and recover naturally.
After a Vaginal Delivery:
Tubigrip is generally well-tolerated after a vaginal birth. If you experience significant perineal swelling, ensure the Tubigrip does not press too low on the pelvis.
After a Cesarean Section:
For C-section recovery, position the Tubigrip to avoid direct contact with your incision. If the material irritates your scar, consider layering it over a soft, breathable fabric or consult your healthcare provider for alternative options.
If You Have Prolapse Symptoms:
If you’re experiencing heaviness or pressure in the pelvic region, Tubigrip can provide mild support, but additional pelvic support products like SRC Recovery Shorts may be more effective.
Duration of Use:
Limit Tubigrip use to the first 10–14 days postpartum. As your body begins to regain strength, transition to products designed for long-term recovery, such as SRC Recovery Shorts or abdominal binders.
Tubigrip is an excellent starting point for postpartum support, offering gentle stability during the early days. For more structured support as your recovery progresses, SRC Recovery Shorts and abdominal binding are great next steps. Let’s explore how these options can further aid your healing journey.
SRC Recovery Shorts are a popular choice for postpartum women looking for targeted support during their recovery journey. These shorts are designed with medical-grade compression to promote healing, support your core, and alleviate symptoms like perineal discomfort or pelvic heaviness. Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a C-section, these shorts can provide much-needed comfort and stability.
Start Using Them Early:
Begin wearing SRC Recovery Shorts as soon as you feel comfortable, typically after the first 2–3 days postpartum.
They’re suitable for use even if you’ve had a C-section, as their soft and flexible waistband avoids pressure on your incision site.
Wear Daily for Optimal Benefits:
For the best results, wear the shorts daily for up to 12 hours.
Continue use for at least six weeks postpartum, or as long as you feel they’re providing benefit.
Choose the Correct Size:
Accurate sizing is crucial for comfort and effectiveness.
Measure your hips and refer to the manufacturer’s sizing guide to find the right fit.
Core and Back Support: The shorts offer compression to stabilize your abdominal muscles and lower back, helping you regain strength and posture.
Perineal Support: Built-in layers reduce discomfort in the perineal area, especially for women recovering from vaginal delivery or experiencing prolapse symptoms.
Post-Surgery Comfort: Gentle compression supports the incision area after C-section, reducing swelling and improving mobility.
Improved Circulation: Medical-grade compression boosts blood flow, aiding in faster healing and reducing inflammation.
C-Section Recovery: Always ensure the waistband doesn’t irritate or put pressure on your incision site.
Vaginal Discomfort: If you’re experiencing significant perineal swelling or sensitivity, consult your healthcare provider to confirm the shorts are appropriate for your situation.
Pelvic Floor Symptoms: The additional support provided by the shorts can help alleviate feelings of heaviness or bulging, making them an excellent option for women experiencing mild prolapse symptoms.
If you have specific medical concerns or conditions like severe prolapse or incision complications, seek advice from your pelvic health physiotherapist or doctor before use.
While abdominal binding, Tubigrip, and recovery shorts can make a real difference in your postpartum comfort, they work best when paired with tailored guidance from a women’s health physiotherapist. Every body and birth experience is different, what feels supportive for one mum might feel uncomfortable or even unhelpful for another.
A women’s health physiotherapist can assess your recovery, provide safe movement and core-strengthening guidance, and help you choose the best tools for your healing journey.
To make expert support more accessible, Papaya Clinic offers a 20-minute Women’s Health Telehealth Consultation exclusively for the NOA community.
You’ll connect with one of our experienced women’s health physiotherapists via secure video call, from the comfort of your own home.
During your session, we’ll:
You’ll also receive a physiotherapy prescription for SRC Recovery Shorts, allowing you to claim a health fund rebate if you purchase through Papaya Clinic.
Book your Women’s Health Telehealth Consultation here.
Papaya Clinic is an innovative women’s allied health clinic dedicated to providing holistic women’s health services for women in all stages of life.
We’re a team of health professionals, made up of a pelvic health physiotherapist, naturopath, acupuncturist, psychologist and massage therapist all under one roof, ready to support you online and in person in Newtown, Sydney.
Node Mothers and the Node Motherhood Centre were created with one big goal in mind to support mums, not just motherhood.
Founded by Melissa Decarli a mum, photographer, and someone who’s walked the highs and lows of matrescence, Node began as a simple idea: what if mothers’ groups were less about milestone checklists and more about real connection, honest chats, and feeling seen.
Since then, it’s grown into a beautiful community of women who meet weekly across Ballarat (and online), not just to talk about their babies, but to talk about themselves. Whether it’s a new mum with a six-week-old or a second-time mum with a busy toddler in tow, our groups and sessions focus on the woman behind the role.
The Node Motherhood Centre is a warm, welcoming space built for mums to take a breath and be held. We run 10-week mothers’ groups, toddler groups, workshops, and events, always with a focus on connection, community, and gentle encouragement to be exactly who you are that day.
Melissa brings a real, lived-in understanding of what it means to hold so much at once; motherhood, identity, relationships, business, and the in-between. Through her photography business Her Golden Point, she’s had the privilege of capturing thousands of motherhood moments and those honest, tender connections are at the heart of everything she creates with Node.
We’re not here to tell mums what to do. We’re here to walk alongside them. We talk about the messy middle of motherhood, the beautiful chaos, the doubts, the growth and we do it with humour, heart, and a whole lot of love.
If you’re a brand wanting to connect with mothers in a way that truly resonates, Node offers direct access to a trusted, engaged, and emotionally connected audience. We speak with and support our mums every week, and everything we do is built on trust, relatability, and genuine care.
At Node, we don’t just support mums – we see them. And that’s where real impact begins.
Hello, I’m Katrina, the founder of Olive Counselling. I’m an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and a mum of two.
At Olive Counselling, I specialise in perinatal mental health and couples counselling. I work with parents experiencing postnatal depression and anxiety, birth trauma, fertility challenges, grief and loss, identity shifts, and the everyday stresses of parenting. I also support couples to strengthen their relationship during the perinatal period, navigate changes in intimacy, improve communication, and work through conflict with compassion and respect.
My approach blends evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Gottman Method Couples Therapy, Circle of Security, mindfulness, and somatic practices. This allows me to tailor sessions to your unique needs whether you’re looking for gentle emotional support, practical coping strategies, or deeper trauma processing.
I understand that becoming a mother can be overwhelming. You may be navigating sleepless nights, big emotions, changes in your relationship, and a sense of losing the “old you.” Whether you’re seeking a safe place to process your feelings, practical parenting tools, or ways to reconnect with your partner, you’ll find understanding and guidance here.
At Olive Counselling, my hope is that you feel truly seen, supported, and understood, not just as a mum but as your unique self! Together, we can gently work through the challenges, strengthen your relationships, and help you find a sense of calm, connection, and confidence in this chapter of life.
At Kaylana Wellness Collective in Hurstville, Sydney, we’re here to support women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum—through movement, connection, and whole-person care.
Led by Alannah, a senior Physiotherapist and Pilates instructor with a special interest in women’s health, our focus is on helping you feel strong, supported, and confident in your body. With years of experience and a passion for functional movement, Alannah combines clinical knowledge with a down-to-earth, personalised approach to care.
We offer tailored physiotherapy and exercise programs designed to meet the needs of your changing body. Whether you’re managing pregnancy-related pain, rebuilding core and pelvic floor strength, or looking to move safely after birth, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Our offerings include:
Our Mums and Bubs classes are a welcoming space where you can move, recover, and connect—with your baby right there beside you. These sessions are designed to support your physical recovery while building strength, stability, and confidence in a community of like-minded mums.
At Kaylana Wellness Collective, we listen to your goals and create a care plan that fits your life. We believe movement is powerful—especially when it’s supportive, enjoyable, and tailored just for you.
Let’s help you feel your best, so you can get back to doing what matters most to you.
We have cherry picked the most useful resources for your fourth trimester so that you don't have to waste precious hours searching.
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