Sleeping well while pregnant can be quite a hurdle as your body experiences change and growth. That is why pregnancy pillows were invented. Pregnancy pillows have been designed to support you, offer comfort and target pregnancy pain while also market a good sleep position and rest for soon-to-be mothers.
In this blog, we will discuss in depth and further detail why it is more than a luxury product, but a tool for better living and health. As well as provide advice to sleep better while using a pregnancy pillow!
What is a Pregnancy Pillow?
During pregnancy, your body may go through many changes, and your expanding abdomen creates significant stress on your posture. You will experience differences in how you hold your body while standing and sitting, and even while lying down.
Sadly, these postural changes can cause discomfort and even pain throughout the nine months of your pregnancy, but there are ways to minimize your discomfort, including postural correction and support. A pregnancy pillow is a great product designed to snuggle with your pregnant shape so that you can relax.
Is there an Importance in Sleeping on Your Side During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy presents innumerable challenges, from bodily changes to the emotional roller coaster that gestation brings. One of the most common challenges a pregnant woman faces, but often overlooks, is how pregnancy affects sleep.
If a woman wasn't a side sleeper before pregnancy, she may have a steep learning curve ahead, as getting comfortable sleeping on her side is very important to the mother's and baby's health and wellbeing.
One great way to make side sleeping a little easier and comfortable is with a pregnancy pillow. These uniquely shaped pillows are specifically designed to provide the right amount of support and comfort to side sleeping mothers in their pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, a pregnancy pillow is worth the investment to improve your sleep and overall wellbeing.
Is Side Sleeping Helpful While Pregnant?
According to early studies, sleeping on your left side is the best position to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Researchers have found that this position is associated with a lower risk of late-term stillbirth than sleeping on your back or on your right side.
On the other hand, sleeping on your back is associated with obstructing blood flow to the uterus, which can cause low birth weight and other problems for babies-in-utero.
You may be surprised to learn that side sleeping has other benefits—even for non-pregnant people.
For example, sleeping on your side can improve night-time breathing, and is sometimes recommended for people with sleep apnea. Lastly, with regard to digestion, sleeping on your left side while resting can improve heartburn and acid reflux, and improve gut health utilizing
While sleeping on your side has its health benefits, it also has disadvantages such as increased joint pain.
Although great positioning if sleeping on your side can help with pain such as low back pain, if it is sleeping to the side without proper positioning and support, it could cause discomfort in the neck, shoulders, and/or hips (especially on the side of your body that you sleep on).
This issue can be more problematic with heavier body weight and for people who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Pillow Types
Similar to any type of pillow, what is ideal for another may not work for you. Finding the right one is really about finding the best fit and that takes trial and error.
You may prefer a wedge pillow instead of a body pillow; or you may prefer memory foam over bamboo fill. Fortunately, there is a large variety of pillows available. Pillows can be categorized by shape, all designed for several different purposes.
| Pillow Type | How Does It Work |
|---|---|
| C-shaped or Contoured | Correctly supports your back or belly Keeps your leg and hips parallel Ensures that your neck is adequately supported and in line with your back |
| Wedge Shaped | Provides full-body support, ensuring equal comfort for every part of your body Promotes symmetrical positioning of the legs and hips Providing crucial support for the neck to maintain proper alignment with the spine. |
| U-shaped | Caters to problem areas, such as the abdomen, back, or knees Prevents involuntary movements while sleeping Provides a more relaxed alternative to a full-body pillow |
Make sure to consider the construction of a pillow when choosing one. Pillows are manufactured and covered with many different materials, and some fabrics are better suited for your own comfort than others.
In particular, avoid synthetic materials if you sleep hot. For a softer or customizable feeling, maybe take the polyfill pillow instead of the firmer memory foam ones.
Are Pregnancy Pillows Helpful?
A body pillow is a good option for support while sleeping, since it is larger than a wedge or common pillow. Body pillows offer full body support, while the other options mostly provide support for the belly.
Alleviates Back Pain and Discomfort
One of the most incredible advantages of a body pillow for pregnancy is eliminating discomfort and pain. As many pregnant women can attest, lying on the side of your body can place added weight on your midsection, making your hips and back shift out of alignment while you sleep.
By elevating the weight, a pregnancy pillow literally stops the rest of your body from being out of alignment, which is as easy as 1, 2, and 3. It's a simple but great solution for avoiding discomfort throughout the night and the next day.
Enhances Blood Circulation
Sleeping on your side can enhance blood flow throughout your body, whether or not you are pregnant. This position lessens the weight on your veins and arteries, allowing important nutrients to reach your baby, and decreasing the chance of developing varicose veins and hemorrhoids. In addition, sleeping on your left side can improve digestion.
Enhances Sleep Quality
Sleeping is the bedrock of good physical health and pregnancy body pillows are a simple way to improve sleep. Studies have shown that body pillows can also reduce disturbances in non-REM sleep by relieving pressure across the body.
Postpartum Relief
Starting from the moment that you welcome your baby into the world, the challenges of parenting will commence, and a body pillow can become your best friend. As you will be waking up every 2-3 hours to tend to your newborn, you will need to squeeze every opportunity you have to sleep, so why not make the most of a body pillow?
A body pillow can be a source of comfort for both yourself and your baby. You can wrap it around your waist and create a soft surface when you breastfeed your child. But beyond that, there are a plethora of additional ways a body pillow can assist and support your postpartum sleep.
How to Use a Pregnancy Pillow?
Here how to use pillows of different shapes and sizes:
Full-Length Body Pillow
These offer the best comfort with their full-length blanket and provide your entire body with cushioning. You will experience the most luxurious support for your arms, legs, and tummy.
With that said, do keep in mind that while they are the best option for hugging and snuggling, your back won't receive the best support. The two pregnancy pillows are a straight and flexible full-length pillow.
Want a pregnancy pillow that you can cuddle and cuddle with that doesn't go anywhere? Try the full-length pregnancy blanket.
While it does not offer the versatility of the other pillows, it's great for assisting almost all of your limbs and snuggling into your belly by placing it in the middle of your belly.
Wedge Pillow
The pregnancy wedge pillow, sometimes referred to as a maternity pillow, is the smaller but flexible option compared to all other pillows. It can be used throughout pregnancy and even after you give birth.
There are two types of pregnancy wedge pillows, the round wedge and the triangular wedge.
When lying on your stomach or side, you can place the wedge pillow under your belly or behind your back for solid support.
As it could serve as a regular pillow, it can increase your head above a normal body height to help alleviate heartburn and reflux.
C-shaped Pillow
Staying true to the name, the C-shaped pillow provides full support for the head, tummy, legs, and back. Great for those who like to sleep in a reclining position, this pillow allows you to rest your head on the pillow while snuggling into the curved section.
U-shaped Pillow
For those who can't sleep on their back with a growing belly, the U-shaped pregnancy pillow is a perfect fit. This pillow cradles the entire body and supports the tummy to the back.
Similar to C-shaped pillows, the U-shaped pregnancy pillow allows you to rest your head at the top comfortably and slide your body into the opening. You can even wrap your legs around one of the sides and comfortably sleep.
Bean-shaped Pregnancy Pillow
This is specially designed to support your hips and back for maximum comfort. Just lay on your side on your bed or couch, and allow the pillow's curve to hug you in the middle of your back. For an extra touch of comfort, simply tuck the bottom of the pillow between your knees for an increase of support.
Adjustable Pregnancy Pillow
This breakthrough design also achieves customized comfort and support with its removable layers. You can tweak the firmness and cushioning to your liking.
Put the pillow on the bed and make adjustments for your ideal sleeping position! It is customizable for all positions - side, belly, hip, and back - for whichever sleeping position you are in when you wake up!
Some options even provide detachable headrests and side pockets to store your items. Whatever type you choose, make sure you choose a pillow that is stable enough to support your changing body and encourage restful sleep. You can try different types of pillows and begin adjusting until you find one that is best for you.
Is it Worth It?
The definition of "need" can vary greatly. You could possibly get through pregnancy without a pregnancy pillow, but you would most likely be uncomfortable sleeping and have aches throughout the day.
Think of a pregnancy pillow, not as a luxury but as a gift to increase your experience, including the support it provides and giving you the rest you may need to increase your stamina and give you the flexibility you will want during pregnancy.
For pregnant women who are experiencing ongoing pain throughout their pregnancy due to round ligament pain, irritation of the sciatic nerve, or common lower back pain, the comfort provided with a purpose-made pillow is priceless.
Nonetheless, if someone prefers to obtain a supportive system from their regular pillows they own instead, some drawbacks need to be considered. The main one is the inconvenience of readjusting sleeping position regularly and the lack of portability if traveling.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy pillows are useful tools for pregnant women looking to find relief and comfort from the discomforts associated with being pregnant. Pregnancy pillows help provide support, reduce aches, and potentially improve sleeping issues that many women experience during pregnancy.
From C-shaped & U-shaped pregnancy pillows, a wedge shape, or some other shape, finding the right pregnancy pillow can mean a lot towards comfort and, in some cases, can improve well-being over the course of the nine months.
Sources:
Do You Need a Pregnancy Pillow?: verywellfamily
What to Know About Pregnancy Pillows: WebMD
How to sleep with a pregnancy pillow? 4 best sleeping positions: huckleberry
