Pregnant? Choose the Right Pillow to Sleep With!
Intro
Sleeping while pregnant can be a comfortable experience. Yes, you read that correctly, it can be a comfortable experience. All you need is the right pregnancy pillow to help cradle your bump. It's bad enough that pregnancy can lead to aches and pain, but if you can get the desired rest you need, then your journey with your soon-to-be child will be less stressful.
An expecting mother needs sleep
According to Sleep Health Foundation, pregnant women will experience less deep sleep as they approach the end of their gestational period (36 - 42 weeks). Its recommended you spend more time in bed, or spend an additional hour or two in the afternoon napping to catch up on your sleep. Why does this occur? Insomnia is the biggest factor, especially during the first trimester, where various hormonal changes will occur. These hormonal changes may include cravings, nausea, anxiety/depression, or physical discomfort. If it's bad enough, lack of sleep will lead to serious health complications in the near future, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Sleep must be prioritized so you can have energy post-pregnancy to care for your child as well. If you develop poor sleep hygiene early in your pregnancy, you'll have a tough time recovering from those poor sleep habits. To help with your sleep, you must have your ideal sleep environment prepared. This includes having the right mattress and pillows beforehand.
What is a pregnancy pillow?
We've gone over choosing the right mattress, but it's important to have the right pillow during the next nine-and-a-half months. Pregnancy pillows help cradle the womb/belly of the expecting mother as they sleep on their side. These types of pillows can be a simple "wedge" for your bump, to a body-sized pillow that give all the comfort and stabilization you need to help you sleep.
This is important because you cannot sleep on your back, especially into your second and third trimesters. The fetus will get too big to where it'll begin to compress your internal organs, such as your bladder. Now you know why you have to frequently go to the bathroom at night! Another hazard is compression of major blood vessels, like the inferior vena cava, which supplies blood to the lower part of the human body. This can lead to low blood pressure at night if you continue to sleep on your back. This can all be avoided if a pregnancy pillow is introduced.
The best pregnancy pillow
The best pregnancy pillow to start is one that keeps you comfortable while you sleep on your side. Sleeping on your side is admittedly the best option because it won't compromise your blood circulation. Even while pregnant, neutral (spinal) alignment must be maintained at all times. The weight of the unborn child while standing upright already puts a strain on the lower back. If you can recover and keep your back healthy, this will avoid unnecessary aches and pain throughout your pregnancy. Many of these pillow types have similar functions, but they can still vary in price and shape.
The most expensive may not be the best for you, and what you like will play a huge factor in what you'll get. Some women will want the comfort of a full body pillow, while others are satisfied with just a simple wedge to keep their belly supported. Full body pillows are usually "C" or crescent-shaped that support the front and back of their body. Although this is great, it will take up a lot of room on the mattress.
Other types will include wedges that go between the belly and mattress. This supports the body and unborn child from movement and will keep them comfortable at night. There are also straight-body pillows that can run the length of your back or front while asleep. Some types might also be inflatable, which gives the option to choose loftiness and comfort.
How to choose one
Honestly, the best way to choose a pregnancy pillow is to start as early as possible. Sleeping on your side will be inevitable, so start experimenting with regular pillows that give you the most comfort. Do you like a pillow along your back? What about between your legs? Do you prefer a simple wedge instead? Answer all these questions now before the sleepless nights set in. Also, keep in mind the surface area of the mattress. Depending on the pregnancy pillow, you might need some room to accommodate your comfy pillow friend.
A pregnant woman will know what's comfortable for her, so the final decision will need to come from you alone. If you want front and back support with the added option of having a pillow between your legs, then a full-body pregnancy pillow is what you'll want. If you only need support for your belly and don't need that big pillow around you, then a wedge will do just fine. Once you're sure about your preferences, your quality of sleep will greatly improve!