For women expecting a new addition to their family, it is very important to get proper rest. Healthy and comfortable sleep is the key to the health of not only the expectant mother, but also the baby. A woman’s belly, especially in the last months of pregnancy, increases every day and makes it difficult to choose a comfortable position during the period of night rest or daytime sleep.
Women feel overwhelmed and irritated, therefore, many doctors recommend paying attention to such a simple, but at the same time comfortable thing as pregnancy pillows.
General information about the product
Purchasing special pillows for expectant mothers is not their whim or whim. This is a soft and comfortable assistant for a pregnant woman.
The products not only help normalize sleep, but also serve as comfortable support for a woman’s lower back, stomach, and tired legs.
Special models help to evenly distribute the load on the back muscle corset and improve blood circulation. And cheerful and bright covers of products improve the mood of pregnant women.
These pillows can be used not only during pregnancy: they will come in handy even after the baby is born. Pillows help you comfortably feed a newborn or even two while lying down without getting out of bed.
In addition, many product models are used by young mothers as a barrier along the edge of the sofa to prevent the baby from falling on the floor.
Instructions for use
Naturally, there is interest in how to use a pillow for women during pregnancy. At first, there is a possibility of discomfort due to unfamiliarity, but after 2-3 nights these sensations pass. The following recommendations will help you quickly adapt to a new accessory:
- Turn into a comfortable position, adjust the pillow as comfortably as possible so that your arm does not become numb and it is not possible to roll over onto your stomach. It is allowed to be squeezed between the legs.
- Test the product before going to bed. Roll, twist accessories in different directions. Check the level of firmness and elasticity.
- Consult your gynecologist about a new device. The doctor will advise you on how to take the optimal position, according to the stage of pregnancy. It will also tell you which pillow is best to use.
- After birth, use products to feed your baby. To take advantage of this purpose, the pillow is placed around the mother, pressing one edge with her back, and the other is placed on her knees. Thus, the load on the vertebral disc is reduced and provides support. In addition, the mother has free hands to care for the baby.
- Even after the child has grown up, the product can serve well. For example, by placing the accessory on the edge of the sofa, you can protect your child from falling.
Main conditions for choosing products
How to choose the right pillow for pregnant women so that they really create comfort and are conducive to quality rest?
After all, in stores you can see several types of soft products, differing in shape, size and material of manufacture.
Quality, reliability, comfort and the opportunity to completely relax - these are the main conditions for choice. This is why shape or original design is not so important for pregnant women.
What types of pillows are suitable
Pillows that allow you to sleep on your stomach are not only standard, but also have an orthopedic effect.
Classical
A classic pillow is often filled with natural materials or holofiber. Its main disadvantage is the lack of necessary support for the desired area of the body.
The structure of the human body is such that in order for rest to be comfortable, it is impossible to do without a decent level of support during sleep.
During sleep, areas of the body should be in the position they take when a person stands or sits. Without this, blood vessels and nerve endings are pinched. Cerebral circulation deteriorates, the neck and limbs go numb, and other types of discomfort arise.
The morning state will be broken, the person will feel that he did not get enough sleep, and will not feel a surge of energy and strength.
Orthopedic
Orthopedic pillows for sleeping on the stomach have a lot of advantages, differing favorably from classic products:
- Products are specially created for the correction and prevention of pathologies.
- Made from high-quality materials that follow the shape of the body.
- The pillows are filled with the latest raw materials and covered with safe fabrics.
- Sold in different shapes, sizes, made according to the personal needs and goals of the buyer.
- Pillows cost more, but the price is determined by the quality of the raw materials and the manufacture of accessories according to medical standards.
Product form
The appropriate pillow shape is different for all women.
You can only understand which pillow model is most comfortable to relax with if you lie down with it for at least a little while. All products have their positive and negative aspects, and expectant mothers have to judge for themselves how important they are.
The answer to the question: “How to choose the right pillow shape for a pregnant woman” can be provided by sales consultants in specialized stores for young mothers and babies.
It is recommended to purchase only certified pillows so as not to worry about the health of the pregnant woman and her child.
U shaped product
The pillow looks a bit like a large horseshoe. It gives you the feeling of relaxing in a protected cocoon, gently supporting your back and growing tummy.
An important plus: the pillow does not need to be repositioned if the pregnant woman often turns over during the night.
A convenient model with one drawback: it requires a lot of space, so it is advisable to purchase such a model for large beds.
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Is sleeping on your stomach harmful?
Some people cannot sleep in any other position - it is important for them to lie on their stomach.
A nuance that is worth paying attention to is the harm of this habit. Orthopedists recommend not to abuse it, or even better, try to make it disappear.
For children
If the child has already reached one year of age, that is, is able to roll over on his own during sleep, the position on his stomach does not threaten his health. However, there are conditions in which you need to refuse it and carefully turn the sleeping baby on his side or back.
When is it dangerous for children to sleep in the position described:
- for bronchitis, runny nose, colds, rhinitis. In the latter case, the nasal passages are clogged with mucus, and the baby cannot breathe fully. In the lungs, when he lies on his stomach, air stagnates;
- disturbances of intestinal motility, gastrointestinal diseases. The condition worsens due to poor blood supply;
- spinal diseases are a contraindication to resting in this position;
- as well as diseases of the cardiovascular system.
Doctors believe that healthy babies should not get carried away with this pose in order to avoid the development of pathologies. At the age of 2 years, a child can be taught to sleep correctly, without inconvenience or negative emotions.
There is no need to wake up the child by trying to turn him on his back or side. This must be done carefully.
Women
For women, the recommendations for sleeping on their stomach are about the same as for men. This does not only apply to pregnant women who find themselves in an unpleasant situation, forcing them to change their sleeping position.
When you rest on your stomach, your internal organs are compressed. It is not difficult to imagine what it is like for a child carried by a woman. During the first trimester, this problem is not acute. The belly is small, the fetus is protected by the pelvic bones of the expectant mother.
Then it becomes more and more, lying on it is dangerous. The baby may get hurt. The risk of pathologies increases.
A gynecologist will help you wean yourself from sleeping in your usual position. He will explain all aspects and talk about the consequences.
For men
For adult men and women who are not in position, resting on their stomach is also not particularly beneficial:
- at this time the head is always turned to the side. The artery is compressed, the supply of oxygen and useful elements to the brain deteriorates;
- The situation is especially dangerous for those who suffer from atherosclerosis. They may experience oxygen starvation at night, the consequences of which are extremely dangerous;
- The chest in this position is under pressure from the weight of the torso. Breathing becomes difficult. This is especially felt by older people;
- the functioning of the digestive system deteriorates;
- the load on some areas of the skin increases. Constantly sleeping on your stomach leads to the rapid appearance of wrinkles on the face and décolleté.
What women say about pillows
The vast majority of women who have purchased such pillows at one time speak positively about them.
Judging by the reviews of pregnancy pillows, they provide good abdominal support, help relieve stress on the lower back and spine, and also help you find a comfortable position while sleeping.
Which pregnancy pillow is best to choose also depends on what position the woman likes to sleep in or what recommendations she received from her doctor.
Often women are scared by the high cost of products, but it is justified by the quality and restful sleep of the expectant mother.
What filler is used
A woman in an “interesting position” first of all thinks about the environmental safety of the product she purchases. If you have determined the shape of the pillow for yourself, then the next step is to select the filler.
The product must be hygroscopic and anti-allergenic. Since most models must be shifted when turning the sleeper to the other side, its lightness will be an important property. Fillers are divided into two groups: natural and artificial. Let's look at each of them, highlighting all their positive qualities and disadvantages.
Natural
The products are made from wool, natural fluff or vegetable filler – buckwheat husk.
Wool
For those who love warmth and comfort, filling made from sheep or camel wool is suitable. But it has significant disadvantages:
- significant weight;
- formation of lumps.
Pooh
Down filling has more advantages, as it:
- light and soft;
- quickly takes its original shape;
- perfectly breathable.
The main disadvantage is the presence of microorganisms in the fluff. This can cause asthma attacks in expectant mothers who are prone to allergic reactions.
Vegetable filler – buckwheat husk
Buckwheat soothes with its rustling sound. You can finger it while relaxing. Disadvantage: dust mites easily grow in the husks.
If the seller assured you that the plant litter is insect-free and absolutely clean, this means that it has been treated with chemicals. It is not recommended to buy such a product.
Artificial
Holofiber
Artificial fillers include holofiber. This is a relatively new type of filler. It consists of spiral-shaped fibers, hollow inside, and the production technology uses high temperatures and no glue is used.
Such pillows quickly regain their shape, are durable, and easy to care for.
Among the positive qualities of the filler are:
- ecologically pure;
- resistant to moisture and odors;
- does not cause allergies;
- it does not harbor dust mites, mold, or harmful microorganisms;
- retains its shape;
- it can be washed;
- has a significant service life.
Artificial swan down
Less commonly, artificial swan down is used as a filler - in the form of fluffy polyester balls. Its main advantage is hyperallergenicity. It will never harbor ticks or other harmful creatures. But down has a main drawback - it absorbs moisture extremely poorly.
Polystyrene foam balls
The polystyrene foam filler consists of many soft balls with a diameter of no more than 1 mm. Expanded polystyrene has many positive properties:
- The product made from it is very light;
- quickly takes on and holds the body shape well;
- has minimal shrinkage;
- hygroscopic;
- easy to wash;
- dries quickly;
- It does not contain harmful bacteria and dust mites.
But there are also disadvantages:
- the balls rustle from the movements of the sleeper, and this can interfere with proper rest;
- Expanded polystyrene is slightly more expensive than holofiber.
Products with artificial filler quickly restore their original shape, no matter how the product is turned over or crushed during sleep.
Photo tips on how to choose a pillow for pregnant women
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