Whether your due date is near or whether you found out just now that you are pregnant, a maternity pillow is a must-have addition. Sleep is tough during pregnancy as your body experiences many changes and that makes it hard to get sleep. But you must get good sleep so that you and the baby are healthy. One of the steps to take is to have a pregnancy pillow. Read on to learn what a pregnancy pillow is, its benefits and how to choose the perfect one for a great night’s sleep.
What Is A Pregnancy Or Maternity Pillow?
A pregnancy pillow or maternity pillow is a specially designed pillow that provides support to the belly, back, shoulders, hips, head, and legs. These cushions are designed to complement the changing body and make sleep more comfortable. These pillows are longer than normal pillows and are especially useful in the later stages of pregnancy. Some pillows are bean-shaped cushions or simple wedges for the lower back or belly. Others are tube-shaped and large cushions that support the entire body.
Benefits of Maternity Pillows
Promote Better Sleep
Sleep is critical during pregnancy, so it is important to take all measures to ensure you get good quality rest. But getting good sleep is not easy, especially when labour approaches and even finding a comfortable position to rest becomes difficult. But this problem can be resolved by using the best pregnancy pillow as they offer support to the entire body all night and even if you turn, the pillow contours to your body shape. When you use a pregnancy pillow you enjoy a more relaxing and resting time and can sleep longer.
Improved Blood Circulation
Sleeping on your side improves blood circulation, but during pregnancy, this is difficult as your belly begins to bulge. However, with the support of a maternity pillow, you can sleep on your side, which opens your hips and back and also improves blood circulation.
More Comfort
One of the major benefits of a pregnancy pillow is that it offers comfort. It gives extra support to places where you need it and helps you get comfortable as much as possible. That helps have a more restful and longer sleep all through the pregnancy. As the belly grows, you need more support and a maternity pillow provides that comfort no matter the size and shape of the belly.
Better Positioning
Maternity pillows are designed specifically to offer better positioning and allow you to sleep comfortably in a position that suits your needs. They also provide good elevation when you need to prop yourself or put your feet up when you have acid reflux or other issues.
Reduces Aches and Pains
During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes, and due to this, you may experience discomfort like lower back pain, pelvic pain, etc. However, these aches can be alleviated with the use of a pregnancy pillow, and you can have better muscle relaxation due to the full-body support it provides.
Reduces Snoring
Snoring is particularly painful not just for you but for your partner, too. Plus, your heavy breathing can keep you awake at night. When you use a maternity pillow, you can find a position that reduces or eliminates snoring and stops you and your partner from waking up at night.
Postpartum Use
Maternity pillows not only offer comfort and support during pregnancy but also after birth. You can continue to enjoy the benefits of full-body support of these cushions and also use the feeding pillow to find a good position for breastfeeding.
How to Choose a Pregnancy Pillow?
When choosing a pregnancy pillow, there are a few things to consider. Here is an outline of some of them.
Shape
- U-shaped pregnancy pillow: This is a popular choice as the shape supports the body’s curves and remains in its place throughout the night. It cradles the body and offers good head and body support. It relieves pains and also provides spinal alignment. It is also one of the best nursing pillow
- The J-shaped pillow is similar to a U-shaped pillow, except it is shorter on one side. It is useful when you don’t have space for a full-body pillow and offers neck and back support.
- A C-shaped pregnancy pillow is designed to support your neck, back and pelvis. It has a rounded style and offers a place for your baby bump. Wedged pregnancy pillows are smaller than the above types and can be placed between the knees or under the belly to get support and comfort during sleep.
- Full-length pillow runs the entire side and provides a comfortable resting place for all the parts of the body.
Size
The cushions come in many sizes and choosing the right size depends on the bed size, the number of sleepers, where you need support and also whether you plan to use it while travelling. Answering these will help you choose a pillow that is cosy for your entire pregnancy and beyond.
Material
There is a wide selection of fillings available, but only a few are popular, some of which are:
- Polyester fibre filling provides good support and is soft and comfortable.
- Memory foam filling contours to the body’s shape, offers support and comfort and reduces pressure on your bump.
- Organic filling which offers breathability and moisture wicking as well as luxurious comfort when you sleep.
Hopefully, you are now ready to choose a good pregnancy pillow to get the much-needed support and comfort. If you are ready to make the purchase, explore Wakefit’s range of maternity pillows
