Childbirth is a life-changing event, but it is also very taxing on the body, both before, during and afterwards. The Mama Strut by PELV-ICE™ is a patent-pending medical device designed to help women with the recovery process by helping to ease the pain naturally, reducing the need to painkiller drugs through therapeutic heat and ice to manage discomfort.
It works by supporting all sides of the pelvis, pelvic floor, abdomen, hips and lower back. Although every postpartum is different, almost all include discomforts of the pelvis’ soft tissue. Soft tissue needs time to rest to heal and is aided by ice and/or heat during the healing process. Protect, Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate and Support (referred to by professionals as P.R.I.C.E.) are the main components of advice given by health care professionals when we damage our soft tissue. The Mama Strut is a device designed to aid in these areas.
A Mom’s Vision
Designed by a Jill Bigelow, a serial entrepreneur, finance professional, and Mom of three children, the Mama Strut is a wearable soft brace that can be worn under clothes, under loose-fitting clothes it’s difficult to notice. Jill was inspired to create the Mama Strut by looking at other braces for soft-tissue injuries, and discovering there wasn’t a lot of good solutions to all the problems new moms face problem on the market. The Mama Strut is also just the first product by PELV-ICE to utilize the system, Jill Bigelow plans to develop the technology for the Mama Strut into a range of other braces for soft-tissue injuries.
The basic unit can be purchased for approximately $150 Canadian. It is available in eight sizes from extra small (26″ to 32″ or 66cm to 82cm) up to 4X (60″ to 64″ or 152cm to 163cm). Mama Strut is sized to fit your postpartum belly and has over 6″ (15cm) of adjust-ability to shrink with you as you heal. The name itself plays with the two meaning of “strut”: both structural support and a proud, confident walk. Also, there are ice/heat therapy accessories available for the abdomen and lower back.
What’s more, the cost of the Mama Strut can be reimbursable by your insurance provider as a medical device. In the U.S., the FDA categorizes it under Orthopedic and Surgical Supports Joint Support Bandages. It’s also black and machine-washable, making keeping it clean easy.
Media and Awards
Since its introduction around 2013, it has been covered by media including Popsugar Moms, BabyCenter blog, Mom.me, TheFabMom.com and many more. It has also won numerous awards including Innovation Awards Women Founder’s Network Innovation Competition 2015, 1st Place Silicon Beach Fest Innovation Fast Pitch 2015, Cartier Women’s Initiative Awards – Top 10 Finalist 2015 (North America), and more. As well as awards and media coverage, The Mama Strut Postpartum Care System in a clinical study currently underway on at the University of Southern California.
For more information, check the MamaStrut.com website for information on studies, purchasing and testimonials from Moms who have used the product.
