Any woman who is pregnant or who wants to conceive in the future is likely aware of the tummy challenge and hormonal fluctuations common to pregnancy. These bodily changes can cause significant damage to sleep comfort. However, there is a solution to those comfort issues that arise from changing the shape and weight of your body as you bring new life within you.
Your quality rest is as integral to your health as it is to the fetus in your womb. Therefore, it is a great idea to purchase sleep aids that can safely support your most comfortable rest. One of the best known ways to do this is to use a pregnant body pillow. On the current market, there are numerous models of this sleeping accessory. This makes it very difficult, especially for beginners, to distinguish the best. To help you choose your favorite high-quality offering, here are the 10 best body pillows for pregnancy. Keep reading.
Here are the 10 Best Pregnancy Body Pillows.
Let’s take a look at the Best Pregnancy Body Pillows!
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Finding the best was next up on our list of challenges. After several hours of testing, we decided on a few models that we think are suited.
A Comparison of our Favorite Best Pregnancy Body Pillows
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Allows You to Sleep on Your Stomach
If you are fond of sleeping on your tummy, you have to agree that it gets complicated when pregnant. The good news is that with the right pillow, you’ll still enjoy sleeping on your belly.
Just get yourself the inflatable one and relax in your favorite position without endangering the life of your little one.
Helps to Relieve Heartburns
If suffering from heartburn, all you need is a pillow that elevates your body. In that position, stomach acids can’t flow back into the esophagus and thus the best way to overcome this discomfort.
Help You to Breathe Better
If you find yourself suffering from shortness of breath especially at night, get yourself a pregnancy pillow. It will help you position yourself in a way that feels most comfortable.
A pillow will prop your body for extra relief.
Prevents You From Disturbing Your Partner
The results of discomforts in bed are frequent tossing and turning, something that will disrupt your partner’s sleep. If you do not want to become a bother in bed, get yourself a pregnancy and enjoy the comfort you deserve.
This way, you won’t disturb your partner.
Reduces Pressure on Your Lower Back, Hips, and Pelvis
If suffering from pelvic pain, prop a pillow between your knees as this will keep your hips parallel. The exercise will prevent the top knee from getting extended downwards and putting the rest of your torso out of alignment.
Eases Blood Circulation
Doctors recommend pregnant mothers to sleep on the side as the position promotes the flow of blood. However, sleeping on the side becomes challenging as the bell grows bigger from day to day.
A pregnancy pillow makes it possible for a mum to sleep on her side due to its softening and cushioning effects.
Longer Sleeping Time
Pregnancy pillows ease the stress and aches associated with pregnancy enabling a pregnant mother to sleep for long hours. Pillows provide support to the body allowing her to sleep soundly.
Useful After Delivery
Most pregnancy pillows are also helpful post-delivery. Some are useful in nursing and feeding the baby.
You can also use the pillows when resting, reading or watching a movie. You can also use some as footrests.
Pregnancy Pillows Safety Concerns
Always use inflatable pillows on the floor as it can pose a falling risk should you trying using it on the bed.
Do not sleep on your back as this may limit blood circulation. If you do so, you’ll most likely wake up feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and in great pain.
Do not use your pillow as a baby positioner after delivery. Although most pillows are multifunctional, you’ll only be exposing your baby to suffocation risks.
Types Of Pregnancy Pillows
Pregnancy Full Body Pillow
Pregnancy full-body pillows look just like extra-long regular pillows that offer support from the head to the knees. They correspond to the size of your body and thus the need to consider that feature when purchasing one if looking forward to enjoying the comfort it has to offer.
With this pillow, you’ll sleep on it as if lying across your spouse. These pillows prevent tossing and turning to enable you to have a restful sleep.
The good thing about pregnancy full body pillows is that they do not occupy too much space when compared to C-shaped and U shaped ones.
The pillow is also a more inexpensive option, and you’ll also get to use it even after getting your little angel. However, it has a few downsides since it’s not flexible enough and doesn’t offer under belly support.
U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
These pillows are contoured to wrap all around you. They look like two full-length body pillows connected at the center and will offer support to your back and front.
A U-shaped pillow also provides support to the head, neck, and knees.
These pillows offer unparalleled support and can help you achieve maximum comfort. When using the pillow, you won’t require regular pillows.
Using the pillow can however make you hot and only useful for you when pregnant. They are also large and need you to put the size of your bed into consideration before paying for one.
Inflatable Pregnancy Pillow
If you are a stomach sleeper, this pillow is made with you in mind. It comes with a hole in the middle to accommodate your belly.
The pillow will feel like a life raft and make you enjoy all the comfort since, without it, you can never sleep on your stomach.
Inflatable pregnancy pillows are highly portable and will relieve you of leg and back pain.
You, however, can’t use the pillow in bed since doing so will only expose you to the risk of falling and may also not work well for you if you have a long torso.
C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Just like the name suggests, these pillows come in the shape of letter C. The pillow will replace your need for extra pillows since it’ll provide you with full-body support.
When using it, one end cradles your head, runs along your back and between your knees to put your parallel and comfort.
The pillow will also prevent you from shifting along throughout the night and thus the best when sharing a bed with your partner. The larger end of the C should go under the head and the smaller one under the knees.
A C-shaped pillow can, however, make you hot and also bulky. These pillows also come at a higher price when compared to others.
Wedge Pregnancy Pillow
Wedge pillows are designed to support a targeted area, mostly your bump or back. They are mainly used under the belly for support so that its weight doesn’t pull it towards the mattress.
A wedge pillow will, therefore, allow you to sleep on your side very comfortably.
You can also use the pillow on your back as it will prevent you from rolling over if used to sleeping on your back. If you want to elevate your upper body, use it under your head.
The best thing about this pillow is that even after pregnancy, you’ll still get to use it on many occasions.
Wedge pillows come at a lower price, will take very little room in your bed, and are also very portable. Their only problem is that they don’t offer full-body support and you’ll, therefore, have to use additional pillows.
Flexible Pregnancy Pillow
A flexible pillow functions almost like a straight body pillow. The only difference is that it’s more adjustable for comfort.
Its fill is also different from that of a regular pillow and makes noise when one shifts.
Since they are flexible, you can customize them to your comfort. The pillows also do not take much in bed when compared to others like the C-shaped one and with it, you won’t require extra pillows.
The downside of flexible pillows is that they make noise due to the filler, come with a higher price tag, and do not offer back support.
How to Use Your Maternity Pillow Correctly
Ideally you should follow the instructions that come with the pillow when purchased. Essentially, all maternity pillows are specially designed for sleeping on the side.
So How Should A Pregnant Woman Sleep With A Body Pillow?
I think the answer to this question is however you want and what position is most comfortable to you. Ideally try stick to sleeping on your side. There are some rather strict guidelines for sleeping during pregnancy which mostly surrounds trying to avoid sleeping on your back.
1. The pillow should support your neck.
When you are sleeping on your side, the pillow should be positioned so that it supports your head and neck. This encourages your spine to remain as straight as possible.
2. You will want to slide the pillow under your belly.
You can do this by gently lifting your belly and sliding a portion of the pillow underneath when lying on your side.
3. Place the pillow between your legs.
This will help to relieve pressure on your joints and may even reduce swelling by improving your circulation.
4. Always try to ensure your back is supported.
Most pregnancy pillows provide a wrap-around portion that will support your back. As well as preventing you from rolling onto your back or right side during sleep.
Takeaway
Your friends will often be your best resource when it comes to buying a pillow. Their experience can be a good guide for you. Pillows range in price, from cheap to very expensive. Again, price doesn’t always mean that is the best one for you.
Remember, Please Do your own research.
Ask your friends. Compare prices. And remember, there are some other things you can do to help good a good night sleep! Eat well, avoid the wrong foods before bedtime and participate in a regular prenatal exercise program.
I personally find yoga and some meditation helps me to sleep better. So find what works for you!
Why Do You Need A Body Pillow During Pregnancy?
A pregnancy pillow eases the pressure on the veins that carry blood to lower parts of the body, thus improving blood circulation in certain areas. Pregnancy pillows ensure better sleep, reduce backache, and pain in the legs and hips. These are specially designed to support your belly, back, and head, all at once.
Besides supporting pregnant women when they sit to read or watch TV, a pregnancy pillow also enables comfortable switching of the sides when they sleep.
However, you should consult a doctor about the best sleeping position for you.
How To Choose The Right Pregnancy Pillow?
Pregnancy pillows come in different shapes and sizes to cater to the unique requirements of expectant mothers. For purchasing the right one that suits your needs, you should consider the below factors.
- Shape: The shape of the pillow decides a myriad of features such as flexibility, the ease at different points, and sleep quality. Choosing a shape that contours the body shape and needs is advisable. However, one should also consult a doctor before taking a final call.
While U and C shaped pregnancy pillows offer full-body cover, the wedge-shaped and two-sided foam pillows lend support to your back and belly. If you have a king-sized bed, you might want to select a large pregnancy pillow.
- Material: The fabric determines the airiness of the pillow. A soft cotton cover and a polyester filling is the generally preferred standard. However, a woman may choose as per the specific needs of her body.
- Foldability: You must choose a pillow that can be folded and stored. A foldable pillow doesn’t consume too much space when not being used.
- Maintenance: Typically, most pregnancy pillows are machine-washable but make sure that you put the machine on a delicate cycle for a subtle wash.
- Portability: Travel-friendly pregnancy pillows are preferable as they are easy to carry. They can easily fit in the trunk of a car. Whether the pregnant mother heads to work, camp, or beach, she can easily rely on portable pillows.
Good pregnancy pillows offer good sleeping positions for the expectant mom and comfortable feeding positions for a breastfeeding mom to help the infant feed properly and safely. We hope the above list and buying tips help you find the pregnancy pillow that best suits you. Don’t wait. Buy the best pregnancy pillow from the list we provided for a soft cushioning experience.
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