5 reasons to invest in a pregnancy pillow

Is it worth the investment to get a pregnancy pillow? Read it here.

By: Debjani Arora | | Published: January 24, 2018 1:52 pm

Pregnant and wondering if you should invest in a pregnancy pillow? Well, many women have this question in their mind and often think that investing in a pregnancy pillow might not be a good idea. I thought the same at one point and didn’t buy one until I was gifted with one. Once I started to use it, I realised that a pregnancy pillow is a must-have for every expectant mother. They are ergonomically designed to help her cope with the pregnancy-induced aches and pains and delivers what they promise – support, comfort and cosiness. Once you ditch the regular pillow for a pregnancy pillow you will know what I am talking about. Here are some more ways to deal with back pain during pregnancy. Also Read - ‘Extremely essential’: Kareena Kapoor Khan on importance of yoga during pregnancy

Some people avoid buying one despite knowing its benefits because a pregnancy pillow is too large like it can run across the whole length of your bed. They come in different shapes – U shaped, wedged shaped, and bean shaped. But don’t dismiss it because it is a space consuming sleep accessory. It is worth the investment. Here are a few reasons why you should invest in one. Also Read - Why you shouldn’t miss a flu shot during pregnancy?

1. It gives you proper support: During pregnancy as the belly extends while the fetus is growing inside, your body’s centre of gravity shifts, it affects your joints, puts a pressure on your back and hips, has an impact on almost every part of your body. This is the reason you experience some amount of pain and discomfort in your back, hips, knees and feel fatigued. In this case, just lying down for a while might not help. But lying down hugging your pregnancy pillow can help to alleviate the pain and discomforts. Here are a few types of pregnancy pillow to choose from. Also Read - Pregnancy side effects: How to deal with sore throat during pregnancy

When you sleep hugging the pillow, you turn to a side (preferably left side) and place the pillow beneath your tummy which helps to support the growing belly, legs, spine, shoulder and neck. As you are curled up in the fetal position with the pillow under the stomach it takes the pressure of the spine, neck, shoulders and knees. This helps in better alignment of shoulder, spine and hips and helps the muscles to relax to ease the pregnancy-induced aches and pains. Here are few ways to sleep well during pregnancy.

2. It helps to sleep better: When you give your body better support, the alignment of the spine-shoulder-hips is just right, sleep is bound to happen. Nothing soothes a pregnant woman more than a good night’s sleep to make her feel rejuvenated in the morning.

3. It keeps you calm: Now, there are studies that say hugging your partner during sleep helps to lower blood pressure and heart rate, all of which has a soothing effect on you [1]. This helps in better sleep, calms the mother, keeps the baby stress-free, helping the mother to wake up fresh in the morning. Okay, we are talking about a partner here and telling you to invest in a pregnancy pillow. Well, the pillow can mimic the benefits of hugging as well. During pregnancy hugging your partner and sleeping might cause some discomforts, so the pillow is a better option. Still, want your partner to hug? Ask him to wrap his arms around you from behind.

4. It reduces pregnancy-induced edema too: Now, edema or swelling of your feet during pregnancy is common. There are various ways to deal with it and one of them is to keep your feet elevated to improve circulation. Pregnancy pillow will just help you to do that as you turn on your sides, hug it and tuck your feet on it.

5. It helps during breastfeeding: Yes, it is not a bad investment; it can be your postpartum buddy too. I am not joking; it can double up as a breastfeeding pillow. You will be relieved that you invested in one when you are able to use it for your back support while nursing your child. For the initial days, after your discharge from the hospital, you will be nursing your baby around-the-clock.

Reference:

[1]1: Light KC, Grewen KM, Amico JA. More frequent partner hugs and higher oxytocin levels are linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate in premenopausal women. Biol Psychol. 2005 Apr;69(1):5-21. Epub 2004 Dec 29. PubMed PMID: 15740822.

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Published : January 24, 2018 1:52 pm

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