Even though you may be happy and enthusiastic about your pregnancy, the actual pregnancy can be extremely draining. The reason is that throughout the period, your body goes through a number of changes. With all of these changes going on, your sleep pattern gets on alert and begins to bother you.
Your stress level rises during pregnancy, frequently without any apparent reason, as you experience mood swings. This, along with your growing belly and pain, can cause difficulty getting proper rest and sleep. In this case,
learning how to use a pregnancy pillow can be really helpful. The majority of pregnant women purchase pregnancy pillows but are unsure of how to use them correctly to get the comfort for which they are intended.
In this article, we will let you know about what a pregnancy pillow is, what types and shapes it comes in, how to exactly use it, and some tips to make the most use of it.
What is a Pregnancy Pillow?
A pregnancy pillow, also known as a maternity pillow, is specifically designed to provide you with comfort during a pregnancy when your body keeps growing and changing. These pillows support your body position and let it orient optimally to enhance comfort and, hence, sleep. Its design is such that it gives support to your hips, neck, legs, belly, head, and back. Due to this reason, a pregnancy pillow can be divided into different types.
What are the Types of Pregnancy Pillows?
Before we hop on to the guide on how to use pregnancy pillows, it is also necessary for you to take note of what type of pregnancy pillows you want exactly.
Yes, a pregnancy pillow is not just a single term; it comes in a variety of shapes and types. These are as follows:
1. Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
Although it isn’t your go-to cushion for a full-body hug, the wedge shaped pregnant pillow delivers effective targeted relief. For targeted pain relief, tuck it beneath your legs, stomach, or back. Because of its small size, it provides focused therapy wherever you need it, making it ideal for comfort when on the go.
2. U-shaped Pregnancy Pillow
This wraparound shape, which supports your entire body and offers side sleepers head-to-toe support, makes it the ultimate hugging companion. It works wonders for heartburn, hip pain, and back pain, helping to maintain healthy spinal alignment and a good night’s sleep.
3. C-shaped Pregnancy Pillow
It looks similar to the U-shape but with an open end to facilitate movement. This type of pillow supports the knees, belly, and back of people who like to sleep on their side, giving them extra space. Because of its adaptability, you may effortlessly switch positions and discover your ideal comfort zone.
4. J-shaped/candy cane Pregnancy Pillow
This pillow is open from one end and gently supports your head and belly while allowing your legs to be adjusted comfortably. This design provides head and neck support, which promotes appropriate spinal alignment and saves backaches.
It eases discomfort by hugging your expanding tummy and reduces pregnancy-related pain by extending to cushion your hips. It gives you more legroom than the U-shaped type, making it perfect for side sleepers who enjoy having their own space and for people with smaller beds.
How to Use a Pregnancy Pillow?
The decision on how to use a pregnancy pillow depends on what style you prefer regarding comfort. There are a variety of different ways you can try to find out which suits you best.
Belly Support
When you are about to lay on your side, just place a wedge-shaped pillow beneath your belly to give support to your belly as well as your back muscles.
Roll it around your arms and legs
Take a full-length or U-shaped pillow and roll your arms and legs around the pillow in such a way that the middle point of the pillow gives support to your belly. It will also help your ankles and joints get relief.
Wrap it around the back
Wrapping any type of pregnancy pillow around your back will support your upper back, lower back, and pelvis.
Place it under your upper thighs
If you’re dealing with characteristic pregnancy hip pain, using a wedge-shaped pillow under your upper thighs will do you justice.
As it is a small-shaped type of pregnancy pillow, you can easily place it anywhere to provide support. Placing it this way will reduce the pressure on your hip, resulting in relief.
Full-body pillow
Probably the most widely appreciated way of using a pregnancy pillow is a full-body pillow. It allows your head to rest at the top, which is slightly elevated.
The knees wrap around one side of the pillow, which gives support to both your hips and back, relieving pain. In this way, the pressure is also reduced, and hence, your back doesn’t hurt much.
Which Sleeping Position Should You Avoid?
Pregnancy is indeed not a bed of roses. It cannot allow you to sleep in whichever position you want. In such a condition, sleeping on your back is not encouraged.
It can result in back pain as well as pressurize your vena cava, a central large vein responsible for transporting deoxygenated blood from different body parts back to your heart.
The same is true of sleeping on your stomach. It can cause neck or back pain and also promote disturbance.
Is a Pregnancy Pillow useful even after Birth?
Even if your pregnancy ends and the world has welcomed your newborn, a pregnancy pillow can continue to provide comfort. Particularly for women who give birth by having a c-section, this pillow can help you easily get out of or into bed and provide support while sleeping. Once you get into the comfort of this pillow, there is merely a way back.
Conclusion
A pregnancy period can make you face a lot of trials. As time passes, you are surrounded by new challenges, and to overcome those challenges, you need proper rest and sleep. Sleeping during pregnancy is one of the most stretching things a pregnant woman can face, and hence there was a need for these pregnancy pillows. But where is the benefit if you buy the pillow and it still cannot grab the comfort you were looking for? That is why learning the types and proper usage of a pregnancy pillow is essential to offering you an easy and restful journey.
Related Articles
Want to know more about pregnancy and staying healthy during this time? Check out these articles:
- Why You Should Avoid Bananas During Pregnancy: Find out why some foods, like bananas, might not be the best choice during pregnancy. Learn about other healthy options you can enjoy instead.
- What Drinks Can Help Prevent Pregnancy: Learn about natural methods to help plan your family and avoid pregnancy. Discover what drinks might assist in this process.
- Signs of Ectopic Pregnancy: Understand the signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy, a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention.
- When to Tell Your Employer About Your Pregnancy: Learn the best time to share your pregnancy news with your employer. Get tips on how to handle this professionally.
- Interpreting Pregnancy Test Results at 4 Weeks: Get insights into reading pregnancy test results. Find out what a dark line on the test means at four weeks into pregnancy.
- Changes in Smell During Early Pregnancy: Explore unique aspects of pregnancy, like changes in your sense of smell. Find out what hCG, a hormone related to pregnancy, might smell like in early pregnancy.
