Pregnancy is a special time for any woman. But not many people talk about the struggles throughout those nine months, trying to find the most comfortable sleeping position. You'll need a pillow to support your belly, position your back, and much more.
Fortunately, pregnancy pillows were invented to reduce the risk of frequent aches and cramps. If you're unsure, read the article below to understand what pregnancy pillows are and why they are beneficial.
1. What is a pregnancy pillow?
Pregnancy pillows, also known as maternity pillows, are specifically designed to support the changing curves of the body throughout pregnancy and different sleeping positions. Generally, pregnancy pillows make your sleep more comfortable, longer, and are extremely helpful in the later stages of pregnancy—when finding a comfortable position is almost impossible.
The main reason to use a pregnancy pillow is for comfort.
2. Benefits of pregnancy pillows
Some mothers go through multiple pregnancies without the aid of any sleep support devices. Other mothers need sleep support in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Regardless of their chosen sleep method, most pregnant women agree that there are several significant benefits to sleeping with a pregnancy pillow:
Provides extra support
A pregnancy pillow keeps your back, neck, hips, and abdomen aligned, specifically reducing excess pressure around the pelvic area. The extra support in these essential areas will help you feel most comfortable during the months your baby is growing inside you.
Easily change sleeping positions
Adjusting sleeping positions seems to be a challenge for most pregnant women. They have to move their entire body slowly, even sitting up to change position. A pregnancy pillow makes these adjustments easier. All you need to do is place the pillow between your legs to relieve discomfort, helping you turn over more easily.
Improves blood circulation
During pregnancy, lying on your back can restrict blood flow from the mother to the baby. Therefore, you need to maintain a side-lying position while sleeping—the best position for blood circulation. But lying on your side can be uncomfortable, so a pregnancy pillow will support the weight of your belly and reduce cramps.
A pregnancy pillow also improves the alignment of your spine, back, and hips.
Manages pregnancy health conditions
In addition to supporting the body when lying on your side, a pregnancy pillow prevents acid reflux and reduces recurrent heartburn. This pillow will also bring comfort to every part of your body. Therefore, you won't have to worry about back pain or numb limbs.
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Facilitates better sleep
Sleep is essential for maintaining health during pregnancy. But in reality, insufficient sleep increases the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes. A pregnancy pillow helps you sleep longer, and with adequate rest, you will feel more comfortable and healthier.
Useful even after pregnancy
You can use a pregnancy pillow from conception until after the baby is born. You can use it as a nursing pillow or for support while you recover postpartum.
3. Types of pregnancy pillows
U-shaped pregnancy pillow
This type of pillow is U-shaped, hugging the front and back of the entire body. A U-shaped pregnancy pillow is perfect for pregnant women who tend to toss and turn. With its rather large design, this can be a drawback if you share a bed with someone else, and it also takes up a lot of space when not in use.
C-shaped pregnancy pillow
With its C-shape, this pillow also provides full-body support, embracing your back area, but with an open space in the front. You can place one part of the pillow between your legs to support your belly and the other half to support your neck and head.
Wedge pregnancy pillow
Wedge pregnancy pillows are smaller than other types of pillows, so they cannot support both the back and abdomen at the same time. You can only place the pillow under your belly or on your back. Therefore, you will need to buy two wedge pillows to place one in the front and one in the back.
Ru9 bolster pillow
The Ru9 bolster pillow is also a suitable type of pillow for pregnant women, due to its unique design, which keeps the belly warm and is especially suitable for side sleepers, preventing your shoulders from slumping down when lying down.
Moreover, the size of the Ru9 bolster pillow is almost the same as a real person, and its weight is just right to provide enough gentle pressure for pregnant mothers to feel the most comfortable embrace.
The Ru9 bolster pillow understands exactly what you need for a good night's sleep, even when you're pregnant.
4. When should you use a pregnancy pillow?
Ideally, you should use a pregnancy pillow before you are halfway through your pregnancy. However, it largely depends on personal preference. Some people use it early in pregnancy, while others wait until they experience sleep problems.
Generally, from the 20th week, your belly protrudes, and the weight starts to put pressure on your body. Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow does not hinder blood circulation and reduces the risk of pregnancy complications.
5. How to choose the right pregnancy pillow?
Material
A pregnancy pillow needs to be made from comfortable and soft materials. So far, cotton, polyester, microbeads, and foam are all excellent materials for making pillows. However, you also need to ensure that they are suitable for your body temperature, avoiding some materials that retain heat and cause discomfort.
Size
Pregnancy pillows come in various sizes. However, you need to find a pillow that fits your changing body throughout pregnancy. Look for a pillow large enough to support your belly, back, neck, hip area, and head.
Firmness
The purpose of a pregnancy pillow is to support the body. If it's not firm enough, it won't achieve its intended purpose. At the same time, a pillow with adequate firmness will last longer and provide better body support.
Using a pregnancy pillow can significantly alleviate body aches.
Ease of cleaning
Because pregnant women are highly susceptible to infections due to weakened immunity, you need to keep your bedding and pillows clean regularly during pregnancy. Moreover, pregnant women also tend to sweat a lot. Therefore, look for pillows that are easy to wash and quick to dry.
Pregnancy pillows allow expectant mothers to sleep soundly for many hours without the risk of complications. Therefore, when shopping for pregnancy essentials, don't forget to add this unique accessory to your list. If you're looking for suitable options both before and after pregnancy, consider the Ru9 bolster pillow!
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