Pregnancy pillow: luxury or necessity?

A woman's pregnancy is an important, responsible period of life. During these 9 months, girls especially need care from their men. Not only husbands can help expectant mothers before childbirth. A pregnancy pillow bought in a specialized orthopedic store can do this. Healthy sleep is an excellent cure for many ailments. If a person gets enough sleep, the next morning he or she feels cheerful and full of energy. Pregnant women need proper sleep. The body becomes noticeably tired, it is harder to walk, and it is uncomfortable to lie on your side. Advice to the male half - if your wife is 3-4 months pregnant, it is time to think about buying a pregnancy pillow.

Men often say that buying a special device for sleeping is an inappropriate luxury, a whim that can be easily done without. Having entered an orthopedic store and having seen the cost of such a product, the male half usually does not agree with the purchase. Here is some advice for men: attach three one and a half liter bottles of water to your stomach with a belt, lie down to fall asleep on your side. When, after tossing and turning for about an hour trying to fall asleep, you get tired of it, then you will understand that a pillow for pregnant women is not a luxury, but a necessity.

How does a pillow help a woman?

A noticeably rounded belly adds almost 10 kilograms to its owner's weight. This affects the lifestyle. Walking will become much more difficult, doing everyday household chores will cause a lot of trouble. It seems that the only salvation from physical and psychological overload is a healthy, sound sleep. But falling asleep while pregnant is a problem. To solve it, gynecologists together with orthopedists have come up with such a wonderful device - a pillow for pregnant women.

During sleep, the body is usually on its side. This is the most comfortable position. Moreover, doctors recommend women to sleep on their side. Better blood supply to the child is guaranteed. The fact is that when the mother lies on her back, the child inside her with its weight compresses important vessels. This position affects the blood supply to the fetus, which leads to hypoxia, insufficient supply of oxygen, nutrients. As for resting on the stomach, it is better for the girl to forget about it until childbirth.

The only way to rest is to sleep on your side. A sleeping pillow for pregnant women will help ensure that your tummy is properly supported while you sleep.

Types of bedding for expectant mothers

Like any product, sleeping pillows for pregnant women are sold in different designs. They differ in:

• size;
• form;
• type of upper material;
• internal filling;
• design;
• coloring.

When choosing a product for a good night's sleep, you need to consider three main criteria. These are the size, shape, and internal composition of the sleeping accessory. Once you have decided on these criteria, you can choose by color, type of fabric, and design.

The main difference between orthopedic pillows is the shape. Different products are suitable for each representative of the fair sex. These are:

• U-shaped;
  Polystyrene foam balls come in large and small sizes. Pillows with such filling follow the shape of the body, allowing the pregnant woman to take the most comfortable position.
• bagel;
• G-shaped;
• C-shaped;
• L-shaped;
• straight (I-shaped).

Each type is suitable for women with different body types, the features of which will prompt the right choice.

If you have any doubts about how to choose a pillow for pregnant women, consult a gynecologist. The doctor will tell you what to pay attention to when buying.

The pillow should help increase comfort during sleep and relieve fatigue.

What to consider when choosing?

To make the right choice of bedding for expectant mothers, follow a number of requirements.

1. Carefully inspect each product. All seams should be sewn well before display. If you find significant flaws, it is a reason to think about the overall quality of the brand.

   

2. Specialized orthopedic stores are required to offer to try out their products. So don't rush to buy. Lie down on a sofa in the store, hug a pillow. Turn around in all positions. Draw the right conclusions so that you don't have to return the product. If the store doesn't offer a trial service, it's a reason to think about the professionalism of the store owner.

   

3. Pay attention to the elasticity of the cushion. A very elastic product can cause discomfort (just like a hard one). The average indicator is what you need. There are different gradations according to the degree of softness/hardness.
4. Consider the size of your home bed. Different models come in different sizes. If you are going to sleep with your husband, some types of pillows will not work. If your home bed is large, choose larger products.
5. Refer to your feelings. Sometimes the human gut tells you whether a product will suit you or not. If you are not happy with the color, design, or something else, do not rush to buy, because you will have to sleep on the pillow every day.
6. Buy the product with a reserve. Some mothers after giving birth use the accessory for feeding the baby, playing, as a safe sleeping place. Different fillers behave differently over time. If the purchase is intended for long-term use, it is better to spend a large amount, buy a quality product.
7. The upholstery fabric of the product should be natural, pleasant to the touch, and not cause skin irritation. Buying expensive silk pillows is completely justified. In the summer, in hot weather, the surface will have a cooling effect.

   

Don't rush to spend money. Take a closer look at several companies and models. Compare products, choosing the most suitable, high-quality one. Over time, you will thank yourself for your "meticulous" approach.

Shapes of pillows for expectant mothers

Different forms of pregnancy pillows are used to ensure healthy sleep for every woman. Below we consider all the options that can be found on store shelves.

U-shaped

It is rightfully considered the most comfortable. The shape provides support for the body at all points. Symmetry is observed during manufacturing. During sleep, you can turn as you please, without fear of losing your comfortable state.

Pros:

• maintaining the body in a comfortable state throughout sleep;
• the symmetrical shape covers the body from all sides, eliminating the need to turn the accessory over during sleep;
• good support for the back and abdomen;
• relieves intervertebral discs;
• distributes the load evenly across the back;
• the leg muscles are resting.

But there is one downside: the dimensions are such that there will be little space left on the bed. You won't be able to sleep hugging your loved one.

Sold in three basic (standard) sizes:

• 280*35 cm;
• 340*35 cm;
• 360*35 cm.

The length (first value) is specified for the unfolded pillow. That is, for a horseshoe shape, the size will be twice as small.

As you can see, the dimensions of such bedding for expectant mothers are such that they allow the body to be placed on the soft part. Women of tall stature may not worry: 360*35 cm is completely suitable for use.

Accessories from Le joy and Body Pillow are especially popular with women. Statistics for 2018 show that bedding products from these companies are purchased more often than others. The U maxi standart model is popular. Average cost: 3,000 rubles.

G-shaped

This model has appeared on the orthopedic market recently. In terms of size, this pillow for pregnant women takes up little space: 350*35 centimeters, thanks to the rounded shape, two people can lie on the bed.

Advantages:

• comfortable support for the back, legs, stomach, head;
• takes up less space than U-shaped;
• You can relax with your husband on a regular-sized bed.

There is one drawback here: if you need to turn over to the other side while sleeping, the product will have to be turned over.

As for brand recommendations, it is worth mentioning the Dreamcatcher company. The Farla Care G 370*35 centimeter models are especially popular. Future mothers note the presence of a bag in the transportation kit. The company offers customers to independently choose the filler composition, which is used as:

• polystyrene foam;
• synthetic padding;
• comforel;
• artificial swan (goose) down;
• holofiber;
• Thinsulate.

The above-listed materials for internal filling can be used for any type of bedding for pregnant women. It all depends on the manufacturer of the product.

Bagel

A very convenient form of sleeping pillow for pregnant girls. It can be used not only during sleepy nights, but also during the day, while watching TV or reading a fiction book.

Advantages:

• the crescent shape provides support for the body from all sides;
• a convenient belly recess will ensure a comfortable night's rest;
• does not take up much space.

This sleeping accessory has one drawback, like all asymmetrical ones: if you need to turn over to the other side, the pillow turns over to the other side.

A good option for purchasing a sleeping accessory of this shape is the Best-mam brand. The model is called "Croix". The outer lining is made of cotton. The inner pillowcase is made with a zipper, which allows you to choose the filler before buying, as well as replace the one that has become compacted over time. The zipper seam is sewn in a secret way, so the metal dog will not cause inconvenience.

Accessory cost: 2000 rubles.

C, I-shaped (banana, half moon)

This shape ensures comfortable rest throughout pregnancy. It is especially convenient to sleep on such a pillow in the later stages, in the side position. It does not take up much space during transportation.

Pros:

• you can sleep together;
• convenient to take with you on a trip;
• easy to move if you need to turn over.

A similar option is an accessory in the shape of the English letter I. The only difference is the absence of a belly notch.

These two types of bedding for expectant mothers have gained great popularity due to their compactness and convenient positioning of the body on the side. A number of manufacturers produce their products with a special opening for the pillowcase - a zipper. This solution allows you to conveniently change the filler, or reduce / increase the density (elasticity) of the existing one.

Types of filler: choosing the best one

Different materials are used to fill the pillows. The manufacturer specifies the main selection criteria as:

• environmental friendliness;
• hypoallergenic;
• elasticity;
• durability;
• quality;
• health safety.

The above requirements are met by synthetic fillers such as:

• holofiber;

  

• comforel;

  

• polystyrene foam;

  

• synthetic padding;
• artificial fluff;

  

• Thinsulate.

  

The manufacturer expects its product to be used by newborns. Therefore, the selection is based on the criteria of safety and hypoallergenicity.

Polystyrene foam balls have a calming effect, retain their elastic properties for a long time, and are easy to replace.

Holofiber loses its elastic state faster, so its service life is shorter. But the cost of the latter is lower than that of polystyrene.

Sintepon, comforel are analogs of holofiber. Sintepon was the first of the three fillers to be invented. It does not have a high elasticity index, so it is rarely used.

And Comfortel is widely used for bedding for pregnant women and newborn children.

The outer upholstery is made of natural fabrics. These are:

• cotton;
• calico;
• silk.

Silk pillowcases are expensive, but pleasant to the body. Cotton and calico are also good.

An important point in choosing sleeping pillows is the color of the product. Modern psychologists pay more attention to this point than to the shape of the pillow. Study the influence of each shade on the psychological state of a person, the nervous system. Very bright, sharp shades of color will not work. But soft sky-blue, pink-orange, peach colors, shades of garden grass, olives will suit a pregnant woman and the interior of a bedroom.

What colors to choose?

1. Yellow. A fresh color born of the sun. The range promotes creative thinking, calmness, and relaxation. Doctors recommend yellow for small children. The color encourages creative thinking.
2. Green. Possesses the life-giving power of plants. Given by the earth, the shade pacifies, calms the nervous system, keeps the nerves in good shape.
3. Brown. The color of security. Light shades bring a state of coziness, encourage communication. Pregnant women are better off not using dark colors.
4. Orange. A warm, rich shade that adds freshness, energy, and sun. Orange is used with shades of peach and pink. Bright, pale, and peaceful – orange will decorate any room.
5. Mint. The pale shade gives a soft freshness to the mood. Saturated mint colors bring an energetic state, charge with vivacity.

Learn the ancient Indian science of color therapy. Learn the effect of each shade on the human body. Surprise a pregnant woman with an original gift with an enticing backstory.

Video: Horseshoe-shaped (U-shaped) pillow for pregnant and nursing women

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Yto-EvSkg

Gallery of pregnancy pillows of different colors, shapes, materials and fillings: