If you are already in advanced pregnancy, you certainly know well the pain in the legs and back, dizziness and insomnia at night, the discomfort in bed, on the couch, and in the car… And you will certainly welcome any way to lighten your daily life, sleep well and stop feeling discomfort. The good news is that we live in a world where everything is thought out. Specialists have created a simple but very effective product called pillow for pregnant women.
Are you a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper? While stomach sleepers have obvious challenges and not recommended at any stage of the pregnancy.
These are special best pregnancy pillows in different shapes – in the shape of the letter C, U, J, or G, or as a long sleeve that can be bent in any direction you want. They are usually made of soft, cotton fabric. Their filling can be different – silicone wool, foam, polyester beads or microparticles, styrofoam or expanded polystyrene, organic products. The filling, as well as the fabric of the pillow, have a significant impact on the price. If you have health-related issues such as acid reflux or sleep apnea you might consider a wedge pillow that can lift the upper part of the body while you sleep. To keep the spine straight the wedge pillow might be your ticket for better rest.
The purpose of the maternity pillow is to support your body while sitting or lying down. It is also meant to take some of the strain on your knees, thighs, abdomen, and back and gives you support and comfort during your pregnancy.
We are sure that you will most often use the pregnancy pillow or maternity pillow in bed – while resting or trying to sleep by maintaining a good sleep position. You know that it is not good to lie on your back or stomach. It is best to lie on your left side so as not to interfere with the normal flow of blood to the baby. With the body pillow, you can also support your chest, knees, and back and position your head comfortably.
If you lie on your side and put the pillow between your knees or under your upper leg, you will make the most of the pregnancy pillow for back pain. In this way, you will additionally twist the waist and thus relieve the pain in it. It will also help the free circulation of blood. And you will reduce the swelling of the legs.
After about the 20th week of gestation, your abdomen already weighs a lot. The uterus is attached to the spine and its weight is the cause of your back pain. That’s why it’s a good idea to have the support. You can gently tuck your pillow for a pregnant woman under your belly while you rest or sleep. Adjust it so that it does not harm you, but only provides pleasant support. This will avoid low back pain day and night.
The application of the pregnancy pillow does not end with the birth. It will be your indispensable silent partner months to come with the baby. From it, you can easily make a crib for your child. When the pillow has the shape of the letter U, you can just put the baby in it. This way your child will not be able to roll over, it will feel safe and protected. This will allow you to safely leave your baby not only in its crib but will also be able to put on the couch, your bed, etc. without any problem.
If you are breastfeeding, then you will spend a lot of time with the baby in your arms. And just because you’re sitting doesn’t mean you’re not going to strain your back and arms. So use the pregnancy pillow again for back pain turning it into a nursing pillow. Put it on your lap and the baby on it. This way you will be able to sit comfortably, leave your hands free, keep your back straight and the baby in a safe and pleasant place. You will relieve and even prevent back and shoulder pain.
The pillow for the pregnant woman itself is completely safe, but the materials from which it is made can be dangerous. The pillow should be made of suitable materials only. These are usually cotton or coarse calico. These materials are hypoallergenic, hygroscopic, and easy to maintain. The filling can be artificial. Its main purpose is to keep its shape and be firm.
Hollow fibers are ideal for filling pillows. They do not contain glue because the fibers attach under the influence of high temperatures. The hollow fiber consists of hollow spiral vertical fibers that make the pillow elastic. Hollow fiber pillows have a long life, are easy to wash, and do not lose their shape.
Expanded polystyrene or polystyrene foam is a universal filling that meets the requirements for high quality and safety. Polystyrene foam as a filling for pillows contains miniature balls with a diameter of 1 mm. These pillows are more expensive. This material allows the pillow to adjust to the contour of your body without bending under its weight.
A good maternity pillow is soft enough to change its shape and support the pregnant woman’s body, as well as the weight of the baby. There are several main types of pregnant pillows – maternal and wedge-shaped.
The maternal pillow helps to reduce muscle tension during sleep. It consists of two separate moving parts. Each part has small hooks that allow you to change the shape of the pillow. This product is comfortable to lie on one side. It can be placed under the abdomen if you decide to rest during the day.
The wedge-shaped pillow is the best pregnancy pillow for back pain. It supports the abdomen of those who like to sleep aside. It releases tension from the lower back, can also be used in a sitting position. By placing it under your lower back when resting, you can relieve the tension in your spine and ensure a comfortable posture. A pillow for pregnant woman you choose should give you adequate sleep, support your baby bump, the necessary support for your head during sleep, align the neck and back so you can rest compostable, and reduce the pressure you might feel in the lower back and spine.
Some pregnancy pillow can change their main function. They continue to serve their owners even after the baby is born. These pillows are even used for feeding and sleeping with the newborn. They support the child by creating a board around its back and prevent it from falling.
In general, maternity pillows are chosen according to the standard height of the expectant mother. The main height of the product is 160-170 cm. There are small pillows with a length of only 1 meter, but they are suitable for eating, not sleeping. Tall mothers can choose pillows with a length of 250-320 cm.
The shape of the pregnancy pillow for pregnant women is chosen individually, depending on your wishes and needs. Some products are designed to support the whole body during sleep, while others help to relax certain parts of the body that hurt you. Pillows can remind you of the letters “U”, “C”, “J”, “I”, “G”, and “L”. They all take into account the anatomical and physiological features of pregnant women. The length of the pillow is measured at its inner seam. Most of the products have a width of 35 cm.
This is the most comfortable pregnancy pillow. It looks like a long horseshoe. Such a pillow will make you feel like a cocoon. The pillow supports the back, abdomen, and head evenly. You will not have to turn it over and change it during sleep if you want to roll over to the other side. Also, you might add another body pillow depending on your needs.
There is also room for your baby bump. As the pregnancy pillow envelops the whole body, creating a feeling of relaxation and flight, you need to choose the size carefully so that your whole body lies on it. So, if your height is 160 cm – U-280 cm will be an ideal choice. If you are taller – choose U-340 cm. It is also very convenient for breastfeeding: it can easily be transformed into a comfortable chair seat.
This pillow has one major drawback, but it is significant. It takes up a lot of space in the bed, so it may not be suitable if your bed is small. Moreover, this is not the best option if you are used to hugging your husband.
This pregnancy pillow is smaller than the U-shaped one and does not require an extra pillow for your head. It can wrap almost your entire body and will fit in a medium-sized bed. It allows you to place the head, back, or abdomen comfortably, reducing muscle tension.
The round smooth shape can be used for both sleep and breastfeeding. It can become a wonderful nest for your baby. Unfortunately, if you are used to moving restlessly in your bed, you will have to turn the pillow as well.
This is the pregnancy pillow with the largest size (350 cm). Its lines are smooth and describe all the curves of the body. The pillow is universal, suitable for everyday rest. Thanks to it you will be able to take any comfortable position. You can lean your back, your abdomen and wrap it with your legs. It has a small tail – especially for your legs.
The G-pillow can be easily used for breastfeeding if you need extra support for your arm, chest, or lower back. This pregnancy pillow is ideal for all moms and all periods of pregnancy. It helps you to reduce muscle tension, take a healthy position for proper blood flow and avoid pinching nerve endings and headaches. But again, there is a drawback – it requires a lot of space in your bed.
This pregnant pillow or body pillow for a pregnant woman is also called the Big pillow. It looks like a U-pillow, but only one leg shorter than the other. This is the optimal option for a medium-sized bed with all the features of a U-pillow, but with a more compact size. You will not need an extra pillow for the head, there is enough space for a child. Thanks to the convenient shape and size, you can even take the pillow with you when traveling.
It is another version of the U-pillow, with a tail for the head and neck or legs. The pillow supports your back and abdomen. It is relatively small, so it will not take up the whole bed. You can bend and rotate it the way you want. Since it only supports one side of the body, you will need to handle it during sleep. It is perfect for everyone.
This pillow is long without additional pads and tails. You will not be very comfortable if you put it under your stomach. On the other hand, it’s great for relaxing your back. Young children love to hug this pillow.
This pregnancy pillow is the best helper for future moms. It has PP core premium filling, which obeys the body shape, follows the curves, and does not sink under the weight of the body. At the same time, this type of filling does not infuse and prevents sweating, because the air passes freely around the shells. The product also includes a pillowcase that is made of 100% cotton. It is easy to remove thanks to the bending design of the pillow and the zippers of both the pillow and the pillowcase and is machine washable at 30 degrees.
Due to its characteristic U shape, the body pillow lifts and absorbs the weight of the legs, arms, and abdomen during sleep. Thus, the spine takes the right posture, the internal organs are not compressed and your body can fully rest. The pillow is designed to follow the natural contour and shape of the body, providing maximum comfort and convenience.
The width of the pillow is quite sufficient for a comfortable device of the head. Its shape will perfectly relax the shoulders and chest muscles, as well as the spine in the chest area. This soft pregnancy pillow can also be placed between the legs. At the same time, you can support your waist and abdomen with it to achieve a comfortable sleeping position without feeling the tension in your back. Its softness and flexibility will help you find the most suitable and comfortable position for yourself.
The pillow is multifunctional. It can also be used after pregnancy during breastfeeding. In this stage, it supports the waist and takes the weight of the baby. Your hands remain free without exhaustion, and the spine is not overloaded. Folded in two, the pillow also plays a wonderful role as a newborn’s bed.
Pros
Cons
A good pregnancy pillow for a pregnant woman should have several basic characteristics. An absolute must is to allow you to keep the body in a comfortable position, which provides normal blood flow and relaxation of the muscles of the back and limbs. This ensures that your sleep will be comfortable and useful. In this sense, U-shaped pillows that are supportive of the whole body are the best ones.
The benefits of a good pregnancy pillow are undeniable. It is designed in such a way that the pressure on the spine and neck caused by pregnancy is reduced and the muscles are relieved. Special pillows help the pregnant woman to sleep comfortably in a soft embrace without feeling pain and discomfort. At the same time, the material from which these pillows are made is hypoallergenic. It prevents allergies, skin diseases, and breathing problems.
The good thing about these pillows is that they can be used at any time after pregnancy. During breastfeeding, the pillow will also be your first friend because it helps support the mother’s semi-recumbent body and the baby’s natural attachment to the breast.
Pregnant women have different needs than others. The weight of the growing abdomen puts a lot of pressure on their backs and joints. For the same reason, it is especially difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position, especially when doctors recommend sleeping on your side.
A pregnancy pillow for pregnant women is designed specifically to support the body during pregnancy. It is good for pregnant women to have support and additional softening in the abdomen, waist, and thighs. With a simple pillow, this can not happen. Pregnancy pillows, on the other hand, are designed to support the whole body. They give good enough support, maintain comfort, and help for better rest and sleep, which makes them a must-buy in the list of things you need when you are pregnant.
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