Being pregnant is a life- changing event. Not only will your day-to-day activities and priorities change, so will your body. As you move closer to the delivery date, your body increases in size and weight. It is not unusual for pregnant women to gain more than 40 pounds. The extra weight will put more pressure on your lower back, shoulders, legs, and hips. It will impact how you move as well as how you sleep.
While exercise is important for pregnant women, so is rest. Pregnancy can be a very difficult time. You want to make sure Mommy gets a good night’s sleep every night so she can recover and stay healthy until the delivery date. Given the changes in body weight and size, you have to get Mommy the best pregnancy pillow you can find.
Before we discuss the different types of pregnancy pillows, you should first know what to look for in one:
Pregnancy will cause an upsurge in hormones. This will make you sweat more profusely than before. Dealing with sweaty sheets will not be your only problem. Even your pregnancy pillow can get soaked on a nightly basis.
Pregnancy pillows are larger than normal pillows. Cleaning them frequently is not the kind of exercise you need. It will just stress you out. The best solution is to buy a pregnancy pillow with a removable cover. This will make cleaning easier and convenient.
There are brands that include a few sets of removable covers. There are also brands that sell the covers separately. You will come across pregnancy pillow types that have buttons or studs to keep it secure. Choose one that uses a zipper or a simple slip action for easier removal.
You can choose from a variety of fillings for your pregnancy pillow:
Pregnancy may also result in another unwanted symptom: Increased sensitivity to allergens. Again, hormonal changes might increase your sensitivity to certain materials. If you were not allergic to feather pillows, pregnancy may change that.
Keep in mind that dust mites proliferate in areas where there are moisture and dead human skin. Your mattress and pillows are excellent sources of both. When dust mites excrete dead human skin, these take to the air as allergens.
Choose a pregnancy pillow that is hypoallergenic to ensure clear and safe breathing every night.
As mentioned earlier, pregnancy pillows are typically larger than normal pillows. However, you shouldn’t automatically choose the largest pillows. You should consider its size in relation to the dimensions of your bed. And if you share the bed with a partner, you should consider his comfort as well.
Do you wake up with aches and pains? Pregnant women often experience discomfort in the following areas:
These aches and pains could be a result of the added weight which regularly shifts while you go about your daily activities. Buying a new pair of shoes that give better support may alleviate the pain. However, if the aches and pains continue while you are asleep, find a pillow that improves the level of comfort.
A pregnancy pillow is sometimes referred to as a prenatal pillow. The meaning is the same but there are different brands and models to choose from. Each one has its own set of pros and cons. Which is the best pregnancy pillow for you?
With its wedge- type design, this prenatal pillow can be placed comfortably under your tummy. It will give your lower back, hips, and legs great support as you travel through deep slumber.
It is also one of the most affordable types of pregnancy pillows. Mothers love the wedge pillow because they can use it after they have given birth. It is a nice way to prop up your old pillow so you can watch your favourite shows in comfort.
As comfortable as the wedge pillow is, you may still have to buy a head pillow.
You may know full- sized pillows as body pillows. Mothers who love to cuddle enjoy the comfort of a full- sized pillow. However, it will not give enough pregnancy cushion for your lower back. This is ideal for side sleepers.
The full- sized is available in two types:
Regardless of the type of body pillow that you buy, it must keep your head perfectly aligned with your neck. Keep in mind, the body pillow will take up more space in the bed. If you are a back sleeper, this is not the pillow for you.
These are large pillows that allow you to wrap it around your body. Many pregnant women find total body pillows the give the best support. This type of pillow is ideal for those who frequently wake up with back pain.
You can choose between two styles of total body maternity pillows:
These pillows are quite large; they range from 1.5m to 1.8m in length. While you may enjoy them, your partner may find more comfort sleeping on the couch. Total body maternity pillows can also be quite expensive.
The purpose of a pregnancy pillow is to find the best and most comfortable position for Mommy to sleep in. Her physical dimensions change during pregnancy. The pillows that used to give her comfort before she became pregnant will do the opposite.
A good pregnancy pillow will offer the following benefits:
Getting a good night’s sleep is very important for pregnant women. It will help manage blood pressure, reduce hunger pangs, improve mood, enhance recovery, initiate repair of any damage to muscle tissue, and it will keep your immune system strong.
If Mommy is healthy, baby will not get sick or experience problems. And it is not only Mommy and baby who will benefit from a good pillow during pregnancy. So will Daddy! If Mommy isn’t tossing, turning, or snoring loudly, Daddy will likewise get a good night’s sleep.