Introduction
Pregnancy is one of the most challenging as well as exciting times for every woman and is regarded as the start of an extraordinary chapter in their lives. Along with utmost happiness of adding a new member to their life there is a sense of apprehension. The pregnancy period requires extreme care and attention as physiologically it is a period of complex interplay between hormonal and physical changes as well as emotional reconciliation.
The soon to be mom needs to take extreme care of her as well as the child growing in her womb. Due to the baby bump, there is an increase in the body weight which significantly impacts spine, pubic bone, and hip bone. A safe and comforting environment is needed for the well-being of both soon-to-be mom and the baby. Maternity pillows are the answer that can create a safe and enabling environment. Read along to learn more about maternity pillows including their features and benefits.
What is a Pregnancy Pillow?
You might be wondering that it is a normal pillow but it is not. These are custom designed pillows especially curated to support the changing curves and contours of the body and offering a sound and comfortable sleep. The conventional pillows cannot support the changing body and is responsible for cramps, back pain, insomnia and other health effects.
Maternity pillows are longer than traditional pillows and are quite helpful during the latter stages of pregnancy when it becomes difficult to sleep in normal position.
Benefits of Maternity Pillows
The major advantages of using maternity pillows are given below:
Better Sleep Quality:
As the baby bump grows and you gain weight it becomes increasingly difficult to get sound sleep. Maternity pillows with their ergonomic designs offers support to your back, abdomen, pubic bone and hips and in the process reduces the pain and discomfort. It all resultss in better sleep and greater well-being for you and your baby.
Reduction of Discomfort:
Another advantage of using maternity pillows is that it helps in reducing pelvic and back pain. It provides targeted support to the pain areas by evenly distributing the bodyweight, reducing pressure points and lowers overall strain on the body.
Support for Breastfeeding:
These pillows are not only useful during pregnancy but also in the postpartum period. After the birth of you baby, you can use maternity pillows for breastfeeding as well. While breastfeeding they reduce pressure on mother’s arms and neck and make these sessions relaxing and comfortable for both you and your baby.
Emotional Support:
Expecting mothers go through a range of emotions and in these testing times a sound and peaceful sleep is something which can have a positive impact on their mental well-being. Offering a sense of security and comfort, these pillows allows expecting mothers to relax and unwind themselves.
Shortens Labour Period:
A calming and relaxed sleep offers much needed rest for pregnant women. A consistent 8-10 hours sleep can do wonders for your delivery as it shortens the labour period and also avoid any complications duirng childbirth.
How to choose the right pregnancy pillow
There are a few things you should consider when choosing a pregnancy back support pillow, from its shape to the size and filling. We’ve outlined your options, to help you choose the right maternity pillow for your pregnancy.
Size:
A pregnancy pillow comes in various sizes ranging from one foot x one foot for supporting your belly and back and ten foot x ten foot to cover your entire body. While deciding on the size of the maternity pillow you need to consider the following aspects before making a decision:
1.Size of your bed 2.Will others be sleeping with you 3.Do you require spot support or full body support 4.Are you travelling with the maternity pillow 5.What is the storage space for the maternity pillow
Shape:
Pregnancy pillows comes in a variety of shapes as well. We will discuss each shape in detail and help you decide which is ideal for you. The different categories of pregnancy pillows are as follows:
C-Shaped:
Perfect to support spine and abdomen by keeping your legs and hips parallel. Also used to provide relief in neck but all these depends on how yo position it.
Wedge:
Prevents tumbling during sleep by providing support between your knees, behind your back and the area uner your abdomen.
U-Shaped:
Similar to the contour shaped pillows and is beneficial in providing support to every part of the body.
Straight Tube:
It is a long full length body pillow offering support for the front side of your body. In order to use it when you are lying down, you need to put it between your legs in such a manner that one leg is on top of the pillow and the other underneath it. However, one thing should be remembered is that this pillow will not be helpful for your back pain.
Fabric:
Choosing the right fabric is again an important task when it comes to buying a maternity pillow. There are important questions that you need to consider while choosing the fabric of a maternity pillow:
1.Is it breathable? 2.Can it be washed easily? 3.Do you like the colour of the fabric? 4.How does it smell? Is it adequately warm/cool as per your preferences Also keep in mind that the maternity pillow cover that you are buying is in sync with the fabric of the product or elese it can sour your experience and rob you off comfortable and relaxing sleep.
Budget:
Always make a budget before going on a maternity pillow seeking mission. This will help you filter out products not in your budget and save your time and energy. You can visit Chicoo and check out a range of maternity pillows at affordable prices.
Conclusion:
Maternity pillows are one of the best means to alleviate pain and discomfort your body is experiencing due to changes occurring in the latter part of pregnancy. Chicco offers some of the best maternity pillows in India specifically designed with the assistance of therapists to ensure ultimate comfort and relaxation for pregnant mothers. Our pillows are ideal for providing support for your abdomen, knee and hip and help you to maintain a proper sleep posture.