As fun and exciting pregnancy might be, the phase when a mom’s belly starts growing also becomes a major source of discomfort. A lot of women go through fatigue and exhaustion from all the physical and behavioral changes. But, although we all have different experiences with our pregnancies, one thing is for sure: having a growing tummy takes away the pleasure because it just gets extremely difficult to get a good sleep.
Thus, there is a growing obsession of soon-to-be-moms for pregnancy pillows.
In case you have no clue what these are, pregnancy pillows work just like normal pillows but they tend to be much friendlier towards the pregnant population.
This is because they were designed to support certain areas of the body that many pregnant women complain of suffering discomfort from. Because it helps relieves all the aches and pains that accompanies a pregnant woman’s sleep, it has become one of their best friends.
But, do you really need one?
Of course you do. Unfortunately, pregnancy pillows can also be a little on the expensive side so you need to make sure that you choose well. There are a lot of them available in the market so you need to be able to get one that can get you the best support and, possibly, one that you could use even beyond pregnancy.
So, what are the types of pregnancy pillows currently available?
Pregnancy Wedge Pillows
Undeniably, pregnancy pillows can cost an arm and a leg so unless you can convince your partner to get one for you, your next best option might be to get a smaller wedge pillow instead.
Wedge pillows can be used in three different positions:
- Under Your Tummy
Side sleeping is the best and most comfortable position being recommended for pregnant women for a variety of reasons. The weight of the tummy can get quite heavy which is why having extra support under (or on the sides) will help reduce the strain in the back and hips.
- Behind Your Back
Another way to use wedge pillows is to put in behind your back. If you constantly toss yourself around while you sleep, having one behind you will make sure that you stay sleeping on your side.
- Under Your Regular Pillow
Wedge pillows can also be used under a regular head pillow to help relieve heartburn and reflux experienced during pregnancy.
There are many pros and cons to using wedge pillows. Aside from costs, this type of pillow is also perfect when you are constantly traveling during your pregnancy plus it does not take up a lot of space in bed.
For some, however, its size can be a huge disadvantage and the steepness can also vary from brand to brand. In addition, you will have to use a separate head pillow as well.
C-Shaped Pillows
This type of pillow is just one of two total body pregnancy pillows available in the market.
C-shaped pillows are designed so that you are sleeping in it in a riding position. This means that one of the curves should be used as the head rest while the other one is saddled between the legs.
The length of the curve should run along your back so that the pressure from your spine is relieved during sleep.
U-Shaped Pillows
On the other hand, U-shaped pillows work just like the C-shaped ones except that it surrounds and, thus, supports the entire body from front to back.
The one thing that many pregnant women love about the U-shaped variants is that they can be wrapped around one’s body and locked at the open end to use as a nursing pillow. They can even be used by toddlers as well!
Although regular pillows work great, it is important for pregnant women to note that pregnancy pillows are able to provide more support and relief. This is because it is able to accommodate one’s growing body, ensuring that they still continue to have a comfortable night’s rest even as their belly grows bigger.
So, do you really need a pregnancy pillow?
If you are one who experiences a lot of pain during pregnancy: around the pelvis and hip area or the lower back, then you might just need one to support you. If you have always been a back or tummy sleeper before you got pregnant, then this will help you stay on the side. Pregnancy pillows are also best for women who suffer from medical conditions such as Sciatica.
If you said yes to any of the above conditions, chances are that using a pregnancy pillow will help you a lot in getting a great sleep even with a growing tummy.
AUTHOR’S BIO
Lisa Hayden is a stay-at-home Mom and has 3 kids. During her free time, she blogs about parenting. Lisa also loves to travel with her family.
