Some of the changes during pregnancy are pretty obvious, such as a growing belly, and fall more under the radar, like back and hip pain. The good thing is that adjusting your sleep posture will be helpful for you. The growing pregnant uterus can be able to compress the major blood vessels in the body when you lay on your back and result in symptoms of dizziness and decreased blood flow to the baby.So, check out this whole article to learn about the best pregnancy pillows for hip pain that help you give your body proper rest.
Sleeping on your left side will shift the uterus off of these major vessels, and it is considered the highly optimal position for circulation. Good circulation can lower the risk of hemorrhoids, leg swelling, and varicose veins, said Braden.
It is where the pregnancy pillow becomes helpful as it helps lower excess pressure on some areas of the body. The right pillow supports the head and neck for the comfortable side of sleeping, and another will support the knees and keep you aligned with the hips. Using a pillow that promotes the proper spine and hip alignment and supports the growing belly helps to mitigate factors such as pain and discomfort that will contribute to poor sleep during pregnancy.
The Best Pregnancy Pillows
Some of the sleep consultants in Macungie, PA, are fans of this wedge-shaped pillow, as it takes less space. Also, you can use it after the pregnancy. Weyrauch also said that it is an option that supports the hips or the belly and provides firm support while being portable. It is perfect for someone who travels frequently or wants to avoid sleeping with a bulky pillow, which will take up lots of space.
Cauzyart U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
This U-shaped pillow is one of the best options for those who don’t want something too firm. This pillow also provides support for the hips, back, belly, neck, and arms as well. It is pretty soft and also provides enough support to simply maintain the optimal alignment as the body will change during the pregnancy. You can also bend it to rest on the headboard and double as the backrest as per the brand.
Pharmedoc U-Shaped Pillow
This pillow is recommended for those who are searching for an adjustable option. People like this due to its comprehensive support for the head, neck, back, hips, and abdomen, which makes it one of the best options for side sleepers and for people who are contending with several discomforts. It also has a detachable extension to save space without sacrificing the brand’s support claims.
Bbhugme Adjustable Pregnancy Pillow
Physical therapist Marianne Ryna points out this adjustable pregnancy pillow as one that you can mold to your liking and make versatile. As the side sleeper, you can be able to place your leg and arm on it, or you can simply make it into a C-shape and put it between your kegs, where you will have part of it in front of you and part of it behind you. You can also adjust the amount to fill and use it for lumbar support beyond the bed, according to the brand.
Momcozy Pregnancy Pillow
It is the best pregnancy pillow 2024 for moms who are willing to get a full-body pillow that molds to them. It can simply be moved into multiple letter positions such as J shape, U shape, and others, which can provide lots of different options as the pregnancy progresses. The inner pillow also has a zipper so that you can be able to adjust the filling to your preferred firmness, and the polyester filling is quite soft and supportive, as per the brand.
Leachco Snogle Total Body Pillow
If you are searching for the best pillow for pregnancy that gives you extra support without giving up the space on your bed, then you can simply consider this C-shaped pillow. Its distinctive shape will ensure the support for the head, neck, back, hips, and knees and eliminate the need for multiple pillows. It has a zippered cover that you can wash and dry, and it comes in several colors and patterns so that you can find something that suits your space.
Correct way to use pregnancy pillow
It’s extremely important pregnant women know how to use a pregnancy pillow for best results & maximum comforts during pregnancy. Basic & simplest way of using a pregnancy pillow is you have to place it on your bed. And then position it to support your body where you need it most, like your belly, back, or between your legs. You can also hug it or lean against it for extra comfort during sleeping or when just resting on bed.
Bt you may be wondering if this is the only way of using a pregnancy pillow. Then we would like to tell you there are different ways for how to use pregnancy pillow. And it depending on whether your pregnancy pillow is C shaped or I shaped or U shaped.
Sleeping with different types of pregnancy pillow
Let us now understand how to sleep with a pregnancy pillow for best health of mother and the baby.
1. For U-shaped pregnancy pillow
Put the base/connected end of your ‘U shaped pillow’ below your head. So that it gives a full support to your head and body while sleeping/resting on bed.
U-shaped pregnancy pillow
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2. For C-shaped pregnancy pillow
C-shaped pregnancy pillow can be used in two ways by pregnant women. It can be used for supporting the front and the back side of your body. If you want to use it to support your back, put your head on the part that reaches around. And place the end of your pillow between your knees. Doing so will give maximum comfort & support.
Whereas if you want to use it support your front. Lay down on your preferred side for sleeping on the bed and put it in front of you. After that place the end between your knees to get a full support
3. For I-shaped pregnancy pillow
Lay down on your preferred side for sleeping on your bed. And then place your I shaped pillow on the side that needs the support
Now you have a good understanding of how to sleep in a pregnancy pillow irrespective of what type it is.
Best time to start using a pregnancy pillow
Many pregnant woman have a question when to get a pregnancy pillow and when to start using pregnancy pillow. The ideal/correct time for getting pregnancypillow is when you start feeling need for extra support & comfort during the sleep. Some women might feel need to use pregnancy pillows in first trimester itself. While others will need to use it later on. Whenever you start feeling uncomfortable at night sleeping, you should start considering to buy a pregnancy pillow.
After you have bought a pregnancy pillow of your choice. The right time to start using a pregnancy pillow is when you are feeling uncomfortable. And that feeling of uncomfortable can be because of your growing belly or other pregnancy related discomforts.
Conclusion
For maximum comfort during your pregnancy, you can use any of the pregnant pillows we’ve mentioned above. The best pregnancy pillows listed above are an excellent option for ensuring that your body gets the rest it needs while you sleep.
FAQs
Does Pregnancy Pillow Relly help?
Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side to ensure optimal blood flow simply. So, lots of people find a wedge, a pillow, or a U-shaped pillow to be comfortable to support their hips, back, and belly as well. They are also helpful if you are a back sleeper who requires a firm boundary to simply prevent you from rolling onto your back while sleeping.
When Should you start using a pregnancy pillow?
Experts agree that there is no wrong time to start using the pregnancy pillow. I also take a proactive approach with my patients and encourage them to start using the pregnancy pillow to support their changing bodies as soon as they get pregnant, said Weyrauch.
Which type of pregnancy pillow is best?
The U-shaped pillow is one of the good options for those who don’t want something too firm. This pillow also provides support for the hips, back, belly, neck, and arms as well.
How Do I Choose a Pregnancy Pillow?
While selecting a pregnancy pillow, you need to consider a few factors, like support where you need it most, a washable cover, a shape that conforms to your body, and a design that accommodates your sleep habits.
Between a C-shaped or U-shaped pregnancy pillow which is better?
The four most comfortable sleeping positions with a pregnancy pillow often use an I-shaped cushion for side support while you sleep, a U-shaped pillow for full body support, and a C-shaped pillow for back and front support.
Which month is best to use pregnancy pillow?
Best month to use a pregnancy pillow is at end of 1st trimester or start of 2nd trimsetser.
Q7: How to sleep with pregnancy pillow?
Ans: When using pregnancy pillow, sleep on your sides, it is most comfortable and has benefits too. And if you sleep on left side it will increase blood flow to uterus.