Expecting a child is an amazing life experience but it does come with challenges, particularly towards the later stages of pregnancy.
Enjoying a good night’s sleep or simply getting comfortable on the couch while supporting all that extra weight can be challenging. That’s why you need to choose items like your pregnancy pillows carefully.
Challenges, such as lack of muscle support, all over body aches and pain, experienced by sufferers of debilitating illnesses such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis or simply back or body pain post surgery can be exacerbated by continuous lack of sleep or proper body support.
What Are Pregnancy Pillows?
When you become pregnant, one thing you’ll have to contend with is the changing shape of your own body. Where you used to easily get into bed and go to sleep, now you have wider hips, more sensitive areas such as the breasts and, of course, that bump where your child is magically growing.
Once you get into later pregnancy, these changes become even more pronounced. That can make it much more difficult to find a comfortable position for sleep. Pregnancy pillows are longer than ordinary ones, fitting around your body and providing much-needed support.
Widespread pain throughout the body and sleep problems as a result of a major illness can be better managed with an excellent full body pillow that gives adequate support to the whole body meaning, the need for changing your position is often reduced.
A full body pregnancy pillow has a number of different benefits, not least allowing a pregnant woman to lie in the semi-fetal position without putting pressure on the hips, shoulders, neck and legs but also providing support to these parts so pain sufferers have full body comfort
- Body aches and pain are one of the more common issues pregnant women and Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Muscular Dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis sufferers face. This can be made worse by a poor night’s sleep or just not being able to get a comfortable in any position.
- Your pregnancy pillow should help make you more settled and relieve any discomfort, leaving you waking up refreshed and ready for the day.
- The use of a full body pillow in pregnancy makes it easier to sleep on ones side because of the 360 degree support provided, causing blood flow around the body to improve.
- Your pregnancy pillow isn’t just important while you wait for the birth of your child. It’s also useful when you are nursing and provides additional support for both you and your new infant.
- You can settle baby on the pillow and use it as a support for breastfeeding, reducing tension and making skin to skin contact much easier and natural.
Which Body Pillow Should I Buy?
There are a few different types of pregnancy pillows and you’ll need to find the one that works for you. This may change, of course, as your pregnancy develops or you might have different pillows for different things.
U Shaped Pregnancy Pillows
If you’re someone who likes to sleep on their back or you shift position quite often during the night, the U-shaped pregnancy pillow will probably be your first choice. It provides all the support you need and can be re-positioned quickly.
One thing you should note is that it’s a fairly large pillow. If you are sharing your bed with your partner during pregnancy, it’s important to make sure you can all fit comfortably.
J Shaped Pregnancy Pillows
If bed space is an issue, you might like to opt for the J-shaped pregnancy pillow instead. This is slightly smaller but performs essentially the same task of supporting the body.
Because it’s missing the extra side that the U-shaped pillow has, there’s more room in the bed so it’s great for doubles. It’s also better for sitting on the couch where it provides support without taking up too much space.
C Shaped Pregnancy Pillows
Providing support for the head, back, stomach and legs, this is a popular choice that delivers all-round comfort. It can be used on the bed or for the couch. If you suffer from water retention in the legs and ankles during later pregnancy, the pillow is great for alleviating this.
C-shaped pillows can also improve tension in the pelvic area which is common for pregnant women. The pillow can be used in a variety of ways and positions and is perhaps the most flexible of the choices available. It’s great as a travel pillow if you are staying at a hotel or going on holiday.
One other great thing about this pillow is that it is also a nursing | breastfeeding pillow., so no need to carry 2 pillows around when travelling with your baby post pregnancy.
Pregnancy, Nursing and Pain Pillows
Pregnancy pillows aren’t just useful during pregnancy, they are often used to solve a variety of comfort issues:
- If you have an operation and need to recover, a pregnancy pillow is ideal for giving support, especially at night.
- If you have a disability that makes it difficult to get comfortable and sleep, a U, C or J-shaped pillow can often help.
- Pregnancy pillows are popular for those with conditions such as fibromyalgia or fatigue issues, who need a product to help support them and ease any pain during the night.
Of course, you may just like to sleep with your pregnancy pillow because it feels so natural and comfortable. Whatever you use it for, you’ll find a product that is comfortable, durable and flexible for your family needs.
