A prenatal cradle is designed around an expectant mothers’ natural posture. As your pregnancy progresses, your overall weight will follow suit – due to the growing baby that you’re carrying in your womb.

As the weeks pass and your uterus begins to tilt forward and out, you may start to experience lower back-pain and - without realising it – it’s likely that you’ll regularly link your hands underneath your pregnant belly.

Prenatal Cradle

You are inadvertently supporting your baby, your pregnant belly and possibly easing your aching back. And that’s where a prenatal cradle comes in.

There are several different designs currently on the market – all aimed at and designed for expectant moms. The range covers different models and sizes and all are intended to allow you as much freedom, movement and comfort as possible.

The prenatal cradle is predominantly bought and used by pregnant moms in their third trimester, though there are no hard and fast rules. Should you already be experiencing the associated problems that can come with your increasing change in size and shape, then there is no reason to wait.

After all – every pregnancy is unique and whilst many of us experience many similarities – no two women or pregnancies are identical.

Prenatal Mini Cradle

The Mini cradle is the smallest of the range and designed like a simple belt. It fits around your back and runs beneath the base of your abdomen.

It comes in four separate sizes but the reviews that accompany the model say the same thing: the sizes tend to be quite small and most advise that you size-up.

Many women purchase the mini cradle because it offers value for money – it provides support, aids lower back ache and comes with a very reasonable price tag.

Original Prenatal Cradle

The original prenatal cradle was, as the name suggests, the one that gave birth to the current range. In the mid-eighties, two women, one an RN and the other en expectant mom, got together and developed the prototype.

The original cradle was a great success and the idea took off from there. Since its inception, the design has been improved, modified and now carries endorsements from health professionals in the world of obstetrics.

The prenatal cradle supports the:

• back
• adbomen/belly
• improves and helps with posture
• raises weight up and off the pelvic area

Further, it can improve:

• leg swelling
• swelling of the feet and ankles
• reduce pelvic pressure
• general aches and pains associated with pregnancy

Best Prenatal Cradle

The now called ‘best’ prenatal cradle differs from the original in that it is fully adjustable. Pricewise it’s more expensive but the added ability to be able to adjust the size justifies the price difference.

As per the original style, the best version is:

• machine washable
• made fron medically constructed elastic
• has a flannel back to aid wearer comfort
• covered hook and eye fastenings

However, the best prenatal cradle also incorporates:

• an adjustable shoulder strap
• an adjustable lower abdomen support

Further, the best version is suitable for moms that are expecting both single and multiple pregnancies.

As with the previous designs, the right size is important and the sizing is based upon your pre-pregant shape:

• small - 3 » 10 weight 90 - 165
• medium - 8 » 16 weight 150 - 220
• large - 14 » 20 weight 180 - 250

As your pregnancy progresses, you may well need as much help as possible, in order to feel less cumbersome. For me, the more natural the support, the better. Supporting your growing belly and helping to reduce stress upon your back is no different to the attention we, as women, pay towards maternity bras.

And as far as I'm concerned, during pregnancy, any help and support is always gratefully received!