
The great Prenatal Cradle support you know and love, offering orthotic support for abdominal and back straining, as well as easing pain from hip separation and pubic Symphysis.
Much like a woman clasping her hands under her abdomen, the Prenatal Cradle® supports the weight of pregnancy, yet does not restrict mother or child. By freeing the arms and promoting proper circulation to the lower extremities, the undergarment also allows many mothers to remain active through the third trimester.
The Prenatal Cradle also offers Orthotic Support for patients who have pendulous abdomens and symptoms of:
Prenatal Cradle is Available in Four Sizes |
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| Size | Pant Size (Pre-Pregnancy) |
Weight (Current) |
| Petite | 3 - 6 | 125 - 145 lbs |
| Small | 7 - 10 | 145 - 175 lbs |
| Medium | 10 - 14 | 175 - 200 lbs |
| Medium/Large | 14 - 18 | 200 - 250 lbs |
It was a blustery, cold winter's day in Michigan in December of 1986. If you looked hard enough, you would have seen a young attractive, dark haired woman struggling with her purse and her books. She was carrying 50 pounds more than her slight build of 110 was used to. While one hand hoisted her books and purse, Mona's other hand reached around to hold the pregnancy that slowed her steps as the rushing tide of MSU students streamed past her.
Medicare and Social Services had had given her two options. Work or get a degree. She could get a job at minimum wage and see her benefits decrease in proportion to her income. Attending college with the promise of a future spurred her determination to succeed. She was resolved that her beautiful little two year old boy and this baby whom she would hold in her arms in the new year would not have to live in poverty simply because she was a single mom. "I can't keep up," she thought. When she held her stomach and her books, her back ached. When she held her back, she could feel the straining in front. "I can't hold it together," she groaned. After school she went from store to store trying on every maternity support they had. The large sizes were too small and the styles that fit did not feel comfortable. A frustrated voice inside of her screamed, "HELP ME!"
On Christmas day, that year, at her parent's home, she watched her toddler play as she enjoyed the company of her family relaxing around the table following a sumptuous Holiday dinner. That was the first time Mona proposed that we should come up with a support that would help her "make it through" the rest of her pregnancy.
My mission was clear: Support as if Mona was clasping her hands under her pregnancy, so that Mona can use her hands and arms to carry whatever she wants to without having to hold herself.
The final design accomplished what we had set out to do. But, it still needed to be sewn to hold it together. In order to sew it Mona had to take it off. It was like watching a slow motion ballet being performed in my very own basement, as Mona, with extreme delicacy, slipped her arms and legs out of her customized abdominal and back support while the multitude of pins holding it together, even though they were cautiously placed, still threatened to poke through.
A basting stitch is a loose stitch that is not intended to last. Every seam of the customized support was sewn with a basting stitch. As Mona reclined in a sitting position on my couch with the basted support on, the name came very clearly to me and I said out loud, "Prenatal Baby Cradle." She responded back, "Prenatal Cradle." The name stuck.
Three months later, while Mona was visiting, she showed me she was still wearing her customized, basted support that hadn't fallen apart after having run it through the washer numerous times. She emphatically expressed, "this is so comfortable, and I don't even know that I'm wearing it. Some afternoons, I think it isn't working and take it off and the pains come back. This is wonderful! We have to market it so that other women can be this comfortable during their pregnancies..." "But what if we put it on the market and someone with more money copies the design?" I asked. "We would be out of business before we even began."
It was settled. If the "Prenatal Cradle" could be patented, then we would be in for business. Each of us called lawyer after lawyer in the phone book for free consultations. After exhausting countless avenues we turned to our last and best choice: 1-800-LAWYER.
That was the beginning. Today, the Prenatal Cradle is enthusiastically recommended by Doctors, Nurses, Midwives, Physical Therapists, Healthcare Professionals, Mothers-to-be and others as an effective device in providing back and abdominal Support.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Prenatal Cradle |
The Prenatal Cradle is based on the most natural stance of a woman with child. You may see a pregnant woman clasping her hands under her abdomen to give herself support. The Prenatal Cradle supports the weight of pregnancy in the same way. The abdomen is open to allow for air circulation, for comfort for both mom and baby and allows mom convenient access to apply moisturizing lotion to her skin. |
Can the Prenatal Cradle help my backache? |
The Prenatal Cradle's orthotic action helps a pregnant mom to stand up straighter while decreasing lordosis. When back pain is caused by the forward weight of the growing uterus pulling on the back and creating tension, the Prenatal Cradle is a perfect solution to ease back pain. Women who have experienced previous injury to their back need to consult with their physicians before wearing any supportive device. The Prenatal Cradle's unique system of orthotic support is engineered below the shoulders and decreases lordosis while helping a pregnant woman to stand up straighter. The points of support are:
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What if it bothers my bladder? |
| Unlike other supports, the Prenatal Cradle support band under the abdomen can be positioned higher on the abdomen so that it maintains effective support of the abdomen yet does not interfere with or irritate the bladder. |
Will the Prenatal Cradle pull down on my shoulders? |
No. The Prenatal Cradle is so comfortable that may women forget that they have it on. If you push down on the supportive band (as a growing uterus would increase in weight), you will feel no increase in tension at the shoulders. Uncomfortable tension on the shoulders is an indication that you may have the wrong size. |
How can the Prenatal Cradle Support without compression? |
The Prenatal Cradle supports with no compression placed on the hips or lower back, thus allowing the hips to expand or relax naturally so that the body can sufficiently prepare for a normal labor and vaginal delivery. |
Does the Prenatal Cradle reduce ankle swelling? |
Testimonials from women who have worn the Prenatal Cradle substantiate that it is effective for reducing ankle swelling. The Prenatal Cradle lifts the weight of the uterus which lightens the pressure on veins coming from the legs and feet. This allows for better blood flow which can reduce swelling of the ankles, legs, and feet. Remember that there are other factors that may contribute to edema of the ankles (i.e. eating foods high in salt). With the Prenatal Cradle, there are no bands around the legs to slow down blood flow. |
Will it it help with my pain from hip separation or pubic symphysis? |
Women who have encountered these problems have found the Prenatal Cradle to be very effective in reducing their pain due to the "compression free" way that the Prenatal Cradle actually lifts the weight of the growing baby from the pelvic cradle, keeping the extra weight from "bouncing" on the painful ligaments. |
Will my insurance pay for this? |
| Some insurance companies are recognizing the Prenatal Cradle as a medically necessary item and are covering it. You may wish to check with your local pharmacy or call your insurance company to see if and how much your plan will cover and how to apply for reimbursement. If you are going to apply for insurance reimbursement, you will need a prescription from your doctor along with a copy of your sales receipt. |
How do I wear it? |
The Prenatal Cradle is worn over the bra and under the panties so that it does not need to be adjusted during frequent trips to the bathroom. |
How do I put it on? |
Start by holding the Prenatal Cradle with the label facing up. Make sure the two bands are coming out of the top of the label. If not, turn the label around so that they are. Place your head under the label and through the center of the two bands with your hands and arms on either side of the two bands. Pull the 3-inch supportive band down into place under your tummy. Straighten the bands if they are twisted and position the Prenatal Cradle to where it is the most comfortable for you. |