There is joy abounds when you learn that you are about to embrace parenthood. But with that happiness comes a fair amount of challenges for the expectant mother. One of them is difficulty sleeping. The growing belly means aches and body pain and an attempt to change positions while sleeping is a herculean task. What all this means, is lack of sleepto the mind and body react by the way of mood swings, crankiness, and irritability. So how do you fall asleep easily? The answer to your sleep problems is a pregnancy pillow. Read below to know more about it and pick the bestpregnancy pillow online from Wakefit.
What is a Pregnancy Pillow?
A pregnancy pillow also called a maternity pillow or a pregnancy body pillow is a specialised pillow made for pregnant women. It is designed to offer comfort and support during sleep and has a unique shape to accommodate the changing shape of the body and alleviate common discomforts, pains and aches associated with pregnancy.
These come in many sizes and shapes and have a long cylindrical design that is contoured to support various parts of the body including the back, belly, legs and hips. Some maternity pillows come with additional support to relieve pressure points and give extra cushioning and are in the form of wedges. Some of the benefits of these pillows are:
- Prevents back pain: Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to alleviate pain by adapting to your body contour and also offer support to the abdomen, lower back, pelvis, knees and ankles.
- Reduce fatigue: A good pregnancy pillow is shaped to perfection and is long and supports the belly bump by taking the weight off your knees and hips. It also helps you sleep on your side which is a good position during pregnancy.
- Easy blood circulation: A sleeping pregnancy pillow gives perfect softness and cushioning that is much-needed during pregnancy. You can adjust them to support the body parts to make you extra comfortable during sleep.
- Repels heat: Pregnant women tend to run hot. So the fabric for pregnancy pillows can repel heat which helps to stay cool and prevents overheating.
Types Of Sleeping Pillows
There are many types of pregnancy sleeping pillows. Some of the popular choices are:
- Full body pillows: These are long and typically shaped like a C or a U. They provide support to the belly, head, shoulders, neck, back, hips and legs.
- Wedge pillows: These are triangular-shaped pillows that provide targeted support to specific body parts. They are great for those who need extra support and cushioning in a particular area.
- C-Shaped Pregnancy pillows: These are designed to wrap the body with one end supporting the neck and head and the other end supporting the belly or back. They are ideal for those who prefer to sleep on the side and need support.
- U-shaped pregnancy pillows: These are like the C-shaped pillows but give support to both sides of the body and are ideal for those who toss and turn. It gives support to both the back and the belly.
- Inflated pregnancy pillows: These are portable pillows that can be deflated or inflated to adjust the level of support and firmness. This is a great pregnancy pillow for sitting while travelling.
- Speciality pregnancy pillows: These are designed to provide relief for specific purposes like acid reflux, sciatica or pelvic girdle pain. These pillows have unique features and shapes and are tailored to address pregnancy-related pains.
Best Sleeping Positions With Pregnancy Pillows
- Using a C-shaped pregnancy pillow for back pain: Place a C-shaped pillow behind your back lay your head on the part that goes around at the top and place the end of the pillow between your knees to get optimal back support and get relief from back pain. You can use the C-shaped pillowswhile sleeping, sitting, or even lounging on the floor. It has a versatile design that makes it a practical solution for addressing back pain throughout the day.
- Using a C-shaped pillow for frontal support: Place a C-shaped neck support pillow, in front of you and lay down on the side by placing the end of the pillow between your knees to get front support.
- Using a U-shaped pillow for better sleep: Place the U-shaped full-body pregnancy pillow with the upper part of the U behind the head so that it supports the sides as well as the head when you lie down.
- I-Shaped Pillow To Sleep: Lie down on your preferred side for sleeping and place the body pillow on the side that you want optimal support.
- Use wedge pillows to alleviate symptoms: Heartburn and acid reflux are common pregnancy-related discomfort. This can be alleviated using a wedge pillow. Elevate your upper body using a pregnancy pillow to get into a semi-upright position while lying on a side with additional support under the shoulders and head.
- Use multiple pillows: Do you keep changing positions? Then use multiple pregnancy pillows by adjusting their placement to get the optimal support you need for your legs, hips, belly or back.
Tips on How to Use a Pregnancy Pillow After Baby’s Birth
There are various ways in which you can use the pregnancy pillow even after the baby is born. Here are a few ways:
- Use the maternity pillows for support, to get comfortable sleep. Whether you had a C-section or a vaginal delivery, the body needs time to heal and recover. Use these pillows to support your body and to get comfort during recovery. It can relieve pressure on parts like the abdomen and pelvis and make sleep more comfortable.
- As you resume physical activity, these pillows can be used as extra support while doing stretches or exercises. Use it to cushion your body or place it under the lower back or hips for added support during pelvic floor exercises or other yoga poses.
- Use it for support for holding the baby, breastfeeding or bottle feeding. These pillows can make feeding easy and comfortable and prevent pain in the wrist.
- When the baby gets a little older and they learn to sit, these pillows can be used to prop them while they try to sit on their own.
- As the kids grow, you can take it on long car rides or use the pregnancy pillow for sitting.
A pregnancy pillow for sleeping is not essential bedding but many pregnant women find it useful in finding a good sleeping position. These pregnancy pillows give optimal support and great comfort and sleep. The best part is that these pillows can be used long after delivery.
