Pregnancy is an exciting and challenging period for a mother-to-be. Those nine-months demands focused care and diligence on the part of the mother to ensure that her baby remains safe and receives all the necessary support and nourishment required to develop.
As much as the baby needs nourishment internally to grow and be healthy for the delivery, the mother also needs to ensure that the foetus is protected from any external harm. Thus, it is essential for the pregnant woman to be in a safe environment, where she is comfortable and can move around freely.
One crucial aspect that needs attention is the sleeping position of the mother. Partners go through many sleepless nights in order to ensure that the mother does not sleep in an awkward position that could harm the baby.
Regular mattresses are not designed to provide comfort to a pregnant woman, and it may lead to body aches and hinder her sleep. This is where a pregnancy pillow comes in handy.
A maternity or a pregnancy pillow is a pillow specially designed to suit and support the changing contours and curves of the body during pregnancy and offer support for various sleeping positions. They are designed to provide support to the entire body and hence are much longer than the usual pillows. A maternity pillow makes sleeping more comfortable during pregnancy. It is beneficial in the later stages of pregnancy when sleeping in a normal position becomes a real challenge.
The most obvious benefit of a pregnancy pillow is that it helps the woman sleep better by providing support to the body. Following are some of the other benefits of using a pregnancy pillow:
While there is no fixed time to start using a pregnancy pillow, you can begin making use of it when you feel uncomfortable while changing positions during your sleep. At around 20 weeks of pregnancy, the belly starts to expand, causing pain in the ligaments and other parts of the body due to the increase in weight. This is a good time to start using a maternity pillow.
There are several types of pregnancy pillows, and they come in different shapes and sizes. Each variety of pillow caters to a different set of needs. A maternity pillow should be selected after assessing and understanding the discomfort being faced. Every pregnancy is different, and so are the challenges associated with it. The type of pillow required will differ from case to case. Following are the types of maternity pillows available:
How to use it:
It can be placed under the tummy or behind the back to provide the necessary support while sleeping on your stomach or sideways. The pillow can also be used as your standard pillow. It will assist in relieving heartburn and reflux as it raises your head above average body height.
How to use it:
The full-length pregnancy pillows are designed to hug and cuddle. Unlike other pregnancy pillows, they cannot be placed under the tummy or behind the back. You can wrap your arms and legs around the pillow by placing your belly at the centre of the pillow.
There are two types of total body pillows:
C-shaped pillow: As the name indicates, the pillow is shaped like the letter C and provides support to the head, tummy, legs and back.
How to use it: This pillow is useful for those who like to sleep in a riding position. You can place your head on the top of the pillow and slide your back into the curve.
U-shaped pillow: The U-shaped pregnancy pillow is suitable for those who prefer sleeping on their back but cannot sleep in this position due to an increase in their belly size. It offers support to the entire body, including the tummy and the back.
The pregnancy sleeping pillow is a convenient and useful accessory for women having body aches and back pains due to which getting a good night’s sleep becomes challenging.
Different pregnancy pillows serve different purposes; hence, a pregnancy pillow can be picked only after you have ascertained your requirements. Following are the points you need to analyse before buying your pregnancy pillow.
Cleanliness is an important aspect to be kept in mind while the pregnancy is progressing. A lot of sweat is generated during pregnancy, and the pillow cover will absorb it. Having a removable pillow cover will allow you to keep the pillow clean and maintain hygiene.
Pillows are generally filled with different materials which have their own set of characteristics. The filling in the pillow will have an impact on the comfort and quality of your sleep. Following are the different types of material that are filled in a pillow:
3. Size of the pillow:
A bigger pillow will occupy more bed space and will be heavier to lift. A big pillow is suitable for those who keep moving their head around while asleep.
4. Noise and smell of the pillow:
Some pillows make an awkward noise when you move around on them. Pillows filled with styrofoam should be avoided if you are a light sleeper as they will make a noise. Also, pillows that are not organic will smell of chemicals. It is essential to evaluate these two characteristics as they will affect you on a daily basis.
5. The degree of softness of the pillow:
Different people prefer different levels of firmness in a pillow. Soft pillows should be avoided as they may not provide proper support. Firm pillows are better when it comes to giving support to the head and the body.
6. Hypoallergenic pillows:
Hypoallergenic pillows are ideal for those who are susceptible to allergies from dust. It is essential to keep allergies at bay during pregnancy, and these pillows will help achieve that.
7. Pillows to match body type and sleeping position:
Selection of pregnancy pillow also depends on the type of body and preferred sleeping position. Listed below are some of the body type and sleeping position combinations with the ideal pillow choice:
Selecting the right pregnancy pillow might be tricky at times as it needs careful assessment of multiple factors. After using a pillow, if you feel uncomfortable, you should discontinue its use immediately.
Regular pillows might not provide the necessary support to a pregnant woman as they are not designed to do that. Regular pillows might slide around as you move in your sleep, causing discomfort and body aches. However, if you are used to your pillow and comfortable using it during pregnancy, then you should continue using it.
Pregnancy pillows are designed specifically to give support to the changing body shape and size of pregnant women―they have the necessary curves and contours to match the shape of a pregnant woman. On the other hand, body pillows are long and straight. While some pregnant women feel comfortable using a body pillow, the others prefer pregnancy pillows because of their comforting and adapting shape.
While a pillow might seem insignificant in the larger scheme of things for a pregnant woman, it is an essential accessory that can provide better comfort and support. It is crucial to select the right kind of pillow after assessing the needs of the mother. The right pillow will also help in reducing body and backache, which is caused due to an increase in weight during pregnancy. Above all, it will ensure that the mother-to-be sleeps comfortably, which is essential for the well-being of the mother and the baby.
Resources & References: Medical News Today, WebMD