When you are pregnant, sleep can be pretty tough. The body constantly changes with the shifting hormones, making you feel different. That makes it challenging at times to get comfortable sleep in bed. But getting enough sleep is also important for you and the growing baby. So what is the solution to this problem? One simple way to get comfortable is by using maternity pillows. Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, a maternity pillow offers many benefits. Discover what it is, how it benefits and how to choose them wisely.
What Is A Pregnancy Pillow?
Before you learn the benefits of maternity pillows, it is essential to know what they are.
Simply put, a maternity or pregnancy pillow is a specially designed pillow that offers support and comfort to complement the changes your body undergoes during pregnancy. That helps to make sleep comfortable and easy. Typically, these are longer than the standard pillows and are extremely useful in the later parts of pregnancy when finding an excellent sleeping position becomes difficult.
Benefits Of Pregnancy Pillows
There are many benefits of a pregnancy pillow. Some of them are:
Better Sleep
Sleep is crucial when you are pregnant, but it is not easy to get it, so you should take measures to get better rest. While it is easier said than done, choosing pregnancy pillows provides full-body support. Even when you slightly turn them, they adjust to your contour and offer comfort. Additionally, when you start using these pillows, you enjoy a more resting, relaxing, and longer sleep.
Improved Blood Circulation
Sleeping on the sides is one way of enhancing blood circulation in the body. But when you are pregnant, it becomes difficult to sleep in this position as the belly begins to expand. But with more support provided by a maternity pillow, you can sleep on the sides and feel better, as it opens the hips and back, providing better blood circulation.
Better Positioning
Side sleeping is a preferred sleep position in maternity. Maternity pillows are specially made to offer better support and positioning so that you can drift to sleep in comfort in a pose that suits your physical needs and helps the baby. They also offer elevated support when you need to prop yourself or raise your feet during acid reflux bouts.
Reduces Aches And Pains
During pregnancy, the body undergoes many changes, both hormonally and physically. Due to these changes, a feeling of discomfort is natural, whether it is an aching back, pelvic pain, or weight gain. When you sleep with a pregnancy pillow, the body is well-supported, and there is good muscle relaxation, reducing aches and pains.
Reduces Snoring
Snoring is quite common and happens at some point in your life. But it can be frustrating when that keeps you up. It prevents you from getting proper rest and disrupts sleep. Using a pregnancy pillow helps reduce snoring and stops you and your partner from waking up at night. Plus, when you rest for 8 to 10 hours regularly, it also makes for an easy delivery.
Postpartum Use
The maternity pillow you invest in is useful not only for those nine months but also beyond. You can enjoy its full-body support even after, and it also helps you find the right position during breastfeeding. Prop yourself and allow the feeding pillow to support your body while you help your baby latch on.
Choosing The Right Maternity Pillow
Shape
There are many styles of maternity pillows, with different shapes providing different benefits. Choose from them depending on your physical needs and sleeping position.
- U-shaped pillows are one of the most popular choices as they support the body’s curves and stay in place all night. They are designed to cradle the body, with the top providing head support and the rest providing relief from muscle and joint aches and helping spine alignment.
- J-Shaped Pillows: This design is similar to the U-shaped pillow, but it is shorter on one side. It is useful if you have a small bed and don’t have room for a full-body pillow. It offers good support to the neck and back.
- C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow: These are designed to offer pelvic area support as well as support for the neck and back. They have a rounded style and are thus a great choice for pregnancy, as they offer support to the baby bump. They are also the best nursing pillows, as they support the infant’s head.
- Wedge-shaped pillow: These are more chunky and smaller than other pregnancy pillows. But they can be placed between the knees or under the stomach to get comfort and support while you sleep.
- Full-length pillows: These are slim, long cushions that cover the full length of your body to support you through the night. They are comfortable for the entire body and great for cuddling.
Material
It depends on personal preference, but choose a washable cover, especially if you use it as a nursing pillow. Choose from memory foam or something firmer or softer, depending on your body’s needs.
Size
These pillows come in many sizes, so before choosing the size, consider where you need support for your bump, your full body, or if you are sharing the bed.
Hopefully, you know why you should invest in a maternity pillow and are equipped to choose the best pregnancy pillow for your needs. If you are ready to shop, explore Wakefit’s range of pregnancy pillows designed for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
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