What is bengkung belly bind?

Though there are many different cultures that practice a variety of ways to bind your abdomen after birth, the bengkung bind is the most popular one in America but originates from the island of Java and is a tradition that dates back thousands of years. It was later adopted by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore and has now been popularized through the West as a way of postpartum recovery. The bengkung wrap is a long piece of cloth made from 100% cotton and 12 to 15 yards long. It comes with a two cloths, one to protect your bind and clothing from the abdominal paste which leaves a stain due to the turmeric, and another to supply comfort along your abdomen from the front knots. Traditionally the wrap is worn during the day and for 44 days after birth. It supports the mothers body from the hips to just under her breasts. This bind is done 24 hours to four days after a vaginal birth and can be done after a caesarean birth but much looser only used as support until the sutures have healed and can then be tightened as you normally would after a vaginal birth. It is always best to consult your provider on this.

Benefits

The benefits for the bengkung bind are endless. Not just during the postpartum period but after to help support the uterus during menstrual cramps or back aches. The bengkung bind is unique in that it is custom fitted to your body shape unlike many waist supports found online. It is also important to note that it goes past the waist, supporting the hips as well. The body release a hormone called relaxin to help the ligaments and muscles stretch, making room for baby during the pregnancy and helping the pelvis open for birth. The bengkung bind uses this hormone to close the hips and ribs after birth. We open 10 cm at birth and now need to close 10 cm to heal.

It accelerates the release of retained water and encourages the uterus and pelvic organs to shrink at a faster rate. Many organs are also moving back to their originally place and the bind helps support the shift that is now taking place.

It supplies the mother with back support during breast feeding and diaper changing throughout the day. The bengkung bind is also beneficial for diastasis recti, a separation of the abdominal wall, preventing it from happening or getting worse after pregnancy and birth, and even helping your abdominal muscles close if a gap exists. A pelvic floor therapist or a professional trained in postpartum exercising should also be consulted to help the recovery process for diastasis recti.