Why Every Pregnant Woman Needs a Pregnancy Pillow

While pregnancy is a joyous occasion in a woman's life, it also requires extreme care and attention. Today, around 50% to 70% experience back pain during their pregnancy. That's not all. They also suffer from heartburn, morning sickness, and whatnot, which makes getting in and out of bed a tedious chore.

However, a pregnancy pillow can be a lifesaver here. Designed to contour the body, it supports the back, belly, and legs. This way, you not only experience a restful sleep but also enjoy absolute comfort throughout the night. So, let's dig deeper and know why every pregnant woman needs a pregnancy pillow.

What Is A Pregnancy Pillow?

A maternity pillow is specially designed to offer a balance of comfort and support to pregnant women. It relieves pressure exerted on the back, belly, hips, and legs. But there's a reason why pregnancy pillows stand apart. Unlike your regular fluffy companions, these pillows come in various shapes, such as C-shaped, U-shaped, and wedge pillows. Each shape is chosen to accommodate the body’s changing needs during pregnancy.

A pregnancy sleeping pillow eliminates common discomforts such as backache, hip strain, and swelling. Finally, they help you rest easy and enjoy the best slumber.

Types Of Pregnancy Pillows?

Above, we mentioned a few types of pregnancy pillows; let’s understand more. Here are the most common types of pregnancy pillows.

• U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

  One of the best pregnancy pillows out there is the U-shaped one. Why? Because it offers complete body support and pressure relief. As soon as you lie down, it ensures excellent comfort by cradling both sides of your body.

  Now, maintaining proper spinal alignment is actually challenging during pregnancy because of shifting weight, a growing belly, and more. However, a U-shaped pregnancy pillow is here to help. It maintains the natural alignment of the spine and offers you the support you need.

• C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

  The next one on our list is the C-shaped pregnancy sleeping pillow. This one offers full body support as well by wrapping around the back and belly. Just like the U-shaped pillow, it can be your perfect companion to relieve back pain, support the hips, and align the spine for better sleep.

• J-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

  Today, you also have a J-shaped pillow. They are mainly designed to support the head, neck, and belly. It can be an ideal choice if you are looking for partial support while sleeping or lounging.

• Straight Pillows

  A straight pillow is a full-length pregnancy pillow that's typically long and cylindrical or rectangular. While it does not wrap around the body like U or C-shaped pillows, it can still help with pressure relief.

• Wedge Pillows

  These multipurpose pillows are perfect for lounging and sleeping and also double as pregnancy pillows. They are compact and versatile and have a plethora of uses. You can place a wedge pillow under the belly, back, or between the knees to reduce strain and discomfort. They are not extremely bulky and help with pressure relief. They are a great option to help you enjoy comfortable zzzs.

Why Does Every Pregnant Woman Need a Pregnancy Pillow?

Is a pregnancy pillow a must? The short answer is yes. Here’s why!

1. Provides Optimal Support To The Body

As your body goes through myriad changes, a pregnancy pillow becomes your constant companion, with you through thick and thin. So, as mentioned earlier, the best pregnancy pillow is designed to offer excellent support. It takes away the pressure from your belly, back, and hips. Also, as you try to relax or sleep, these pillows cradle your body and reduce muscle strain. So, any discomfort is eliminated.

2. Improves Sleep Quality

During pregnancy, some women struggle with sleep. Infact, one study found that almost 42.2% experienced poor sleep. However, you can overcome this with the right support offered by the best maternity pillow. One thing you will immediately notice is that it reduces your tossing and turning. It immediately helps you find the sweet spot so that sleep becomes easy.

Next, it cushions your body well, which maintains alignment and helps you relax. This way, you enjoy deeper and uninterrupted sleep.

3. Helps Easily Sleep On The Side

Pregnant women must sleep on their side, especially on the left, during the second and third trimesters. This is because sleeping on the back exerts too much pressure on major blood vessels and can restrict blood flow to the uterus. However, when you sleep on the side, blood flow to the baby improves.

Here, the pillow for pregnant women makes side sleeping comfortable, even if it is not a sleeping position you generally prefer. Also, it prevents you from rolling onto your back.

4. Eases Back and Hip Pain

Pregnancy can put a strain on your lower back and hips. This can cause extreme discomfort as you move further along in your pregnancy. However, the best pregnancy pillow alleviates this and offers the right cushioning. It also maintains spinal alignment, which helps reduce lower back pain.

5. Reduces Swelling and Improves Circulation

Swelling in the legs and feet is common during pregnancy. This can occur because of extra pressure on the blood vessels. However, a pregnancy pillow can keep the legs elevated slightly and improve blood circulation. This naturally reduces swelling and discomfort.

So, if you have been experiencing numbness and cramps, improved blood circulation can reduce them drastically. It also helps decrease fluid retention by making sure you lie down in a proper position and makes you feel more comfortable.

6. Helps With Digestion and Reduces Heartburn

Heartburn and indigestion are common in pregnant women. This is because your growing uterus directly presses on the stomach. While there's nothing to worry about here, the discomfort can be real.

A pregnancy pillow helps by keeping the upper body slightly elevated, which reduces acid reflux. It also helps you sleep in a proper position and prevents indigestion. This way, you can get some peaceful shuteye!

Uses Beyond Pregnancy

Are you worried that you may have to discard the pillow after giving birth? Nope! There are several uses of the best maternity pillow beyond pregnancy. Take a look!

• Postpartum Recovery and Support

  After giving birth, your body needs some time to heal. In this postpartum stage, your maternity pillow offers much-needed support. It reduces muscle strain and provides a sense of coziness when resting. Whether you are recovering from a natural birth or C-section, it ensures proper posture and relaxation during this crucial phase.

• Offers Support While Nursing

  When breastfeeding or bottle feeding your child, it is important to hold a certain position. However, this can strain your back, shoulders, and arms. But a maternity pillow helps you position the baby at the right height and provides arm and elbow support. This can reduce the discomfort to a great extent.

• Relief From Back and Joint Pain

  A pregnancy pillow offers ergonomic support when you are sitting or sleeping and can help get rid of back, hip, and joint pain. It can even ease pressure from the spine and muscles. Infact, anyone with chronic pain can find comfort in a pregnancy pillow.

• A Cozy Lounging Partner

  A maternity pillow can be a perfect lounging partner. Whether reading, watching TV, or simply relaxing, it offers excellent support for the back and neck. The soft cushioning and ergonomic shape ensure ultimate coziness.

• Support For Babies and Toddlers

  Lastly, you can repurpose your maternity pillow and use it to support your little one during tummy time or help your toddler sit up comfortably. You can also use them during playtime for some support.

Which Pregnancy Pillow Is Ideal For You?

Now you know a pregnancy pillow can play a crucial role in your journey. But the question is, which is the best pregnancy pillow for you? Well, at the end of the day, it depends on your personal preference. But most women find the U-shaped pillow the most comfortable. It offers full body support, maintains spinal alignment, reduces pressure, and ensures you sleep tight.

That's why at The Sleep Company, we bring you the Smart Pregnancy Pillow that can fetch you all the benefits and more. This 100% cotton pillow provides unparalleled comfort and 360° body support. The uniquely designed U-shaped pillow ensures durability and offers support even beyond pregnancy.

Experience unmatched comfort with The Sleep Company’s Smart Pregnancy Pillow today!