For every woman, pregnancy experiences are beautiful yet the most challenging period. Women’s weight increases with an increasing baby bump, so it is important to make sure that you take care of your back, hips, pubic bones, legs, and feet. This is why a pregnancy pillow plays an important role in enabling this environment.

This 9-month period needs extreme care and attention. The expecting mom must care for herself and the baby growing inside her belly. She has to ensure to protect the baby from any external harm. So, pillows for pregnant women are made to provide a safe and comfortable environment. 

What is a Pregnancy Pillow?

Most of you must be thinking, is it just like a normal pillow?

No, pregnancy pillows are specially designed and contoured pillows that help support the changing curves of the body. With this, pregnant women can have the best support at different sleeping positions. 

As months pass by, the shape of the body changes. Most of the normal pillows are not suitable to provide comfort to the pregnant woman. You may experience back pain, leg cramps, pelvic tightness, restless nights, or insomnia due to this.

A normal pillow is not the same for everyone. However, there are many options available for pregnancy pillows in different sizes and different shapes.

Types of Pregnancy Pillow

C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

C-shaped pillows for pregnant women support your spine or belly but it depends on how you place it. It supports the neck and lets your legs and hips be parallel.

U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

U-shaped pregnancy pillows support every part of the body equally. It works similarly to a C-shaped pillow. Supports the neck along with legs and hips. 

T-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

The T-shaped pregnancy pillows give extra support to the back, tummy, and hips, and also reduce the pressure and discomfort associated with pregnancy. 

J-Shaped Pillow For Pregnancy

A J-shaped maternity pillow is remarkably similar to a U-shaped form. In addition to providing support for your neck and back, they’re especially helpful if your bed is small or and don’t have enough space for a full-body pillow.

Wedge Pregnancy Pillow

These pillows for pregnant women support a specific area under your abdomen, behind your back, or between your knees. It helps prevent tumbling during sleep.

When Is the Right Time to Use One?

There’s no right or wrong time to begin using a pregnant cushion. Simply said, you should begin utilising one as soon as you begin to have trouble switching positions when you’re trying to sleep. 

This is typically about week 20 when your tummy starts to swell. This is a good time to employ extra support when trying to sleep because this expansion can hurt your ligaments as they stretch out.

So, now you are very well aware of what are pregnancy pillows and a few of their best types. Let’s move on to why pillows for pregnant women are needed means the benefits.

The benefits of pregnancy pillow

Using a pregnancy pillow while sleeping has various benefits, the main ones being:

Improves Sleep Quality

It is important to take measures to promote better and higher quality sleep during pregnancy, as we have already mentioned. 

As is often the case, finding a comfortable position can be challenging, particularly in the later weeks of pregnancy.

The good news is that pregnancy pillows provide full-body support, maintain your posture the entire night, and even adjust to accommodate minor turning. 

Extended Periods Of Sleep

Using a pregnancy pillow will also allow you to sleep for longer, more restful sleep cycles. As we’ve mentioned, being pregnant necessitates extra sleep, so it’s critical to make sure your mattress and pillows support this. 

Improves Blood Flow

Sleeping on your side is one technique for improving blood circulation. Nevertheless, as your tummy starts to take shape, this might get harder and more unpleasant throughout pregnancy.

Thankfully, you may keep resting on your side, opening up your hips and back, and reaping the benefits of better circulation with the extra support a pregnancy pillow provides. 

Provides Improved Positioning

Pregnancy pillows are a convenient solution because they are made with precise posture in mind. They secure you in a position that is comfortable and appropriate for your body type, allowing you to sleep soundly. 

Additionally, they provide great elevating support for times when you need to elevate your feet or straighten your back during episodes of acid reflux. 

Reduces Aches And Pains In The Body

It’s no secret that your body experiences a range of physical and hormonal changes throughout pregnancy. 

It’s also normal to have some discomfort as a result of these changes, whether it’s lower back pain, weight increase, or pelvic pain.

However, regardless of your sleeping position, you can experience total muscle relaxation and full body support while using a pregnant pillow. 

You and your baby will find it simpler to go to sleep and receive the relaxation you both require thanks to the lighter load and weightless feeling.

Maintains A healthy Heart Rate

For the sake of your health and the health of your unborn child, relaxation is necessary for a healthy heart rate and lower levels of stress. 

Instead of tossing and turning all night, you may find a position that works for your body and fall asleep with ease if you have a comfy maternity pillow.

Helps Reduce Labour Time

Pregnancy requires sleep, as we’ve already covered, so it’s critical to take action to promote more regular, high-quality sleep. You and the baby will both benefit from more sleep, after all.

What you might not know, though, is that obtaining 8 to 10 hours a day might facilitate a more easy birth because your body will be well-rested and ready to welcome your child into the world. 

Postpartum Use

Naturally, maternity pillows provide excellent support and comfort during your pregnancy. However, they are as helpful after giving birth, so hang onto them!

A pregnancy pillow not only provides full-body support that you can still enjoy but it can also be used to assist in finding a suitable position for nursing.

As you focus on assisting your infant in latching on, simply raise yourself and allow the pillow to support your body. 

FAQs

• When is the best time to use a pregnancy pillow?

Your maternity pillow can be used whenever it’s convenient for you. Although you can start cuddling with your pillow whenever you wish, most women find that it comes in particularly useful during the last trimester.

• What separates body pillows from pillows for pregnant women?

Although they are similar, pregnancy pillows and ordinary body pillows differ greatly. Maternity pillows are moulded and contoured to fit the shape of a pregnant body, while body pillows are just long, straight pillows for you to cuddle up with at night.  

• When my kid is born, can I use my maternity pillow for nursing?

Sure, even after your baby is born, you can still use your pregnancy pillow. It is possible to lean against it or find a comfortable position to nurse.

Final Words

When selecting pregnancy pillows, consider your individual needs as different varieties will support and comfort different parts of your body. 

When you’re pregnant, you sweat a lot, so opt for one with a removable cover that you can wash frequently. 

Decide how firm you want your support and conduct some research before purchasing one of the many materials that may be used to fill these pillows.