How to use a pregnancy pillow and reviews about it

There is no more wonderful period in a woman’s life than pregnancy. But the expectation of a new life is associated not only with joy, but also with serious stress on the body. At this time, it is important for the expectant mother to restore her strength while sleeping. However, round shapes make it difficult to sleep comfortably, so choosing a comfortable position for pregnant women is very difficult. For proper sleep, you need special devices, for example, a pillow for pregnant women.

Doctors forbid sleeping on your stomach, this is understandable. Lying on your back is also extremely undesirable - blood circulation is impaired. You can sleep on your side, but it is uncomfortable. The situation can be corrected with ordinary pillows.

Main selection criteria

When choosing bedding for pregnancy, pay attention to their shape, functionality (whether the cover is removable), size, and quality of the filling. The first selection criterion is shape. Pillows can be U-shaped, G-shaped, C-shaped, L-shaped, I-shaped, bagel or transformable. Also ask the seller about the type of filling - they are usually filled with holofiber and polystyrene foam balls. The size of the product purchased is also important. Think about which pillow is right for you, taking into account your body shape, height and sleeping area.

Why and what is it needed for?

Sleep problems in expectant mothers appear already in the second trimester of pregnancy, when literally everything interferes with sleep . Anxious thoughts, excitement, worries about future changes are their very frequent companions. Added to this are indigestion, bloating, and other physiological problems.

As your belly grows, it becomes more and more difficult to find a comfortable position for resting and sleeping. The woman does not get enough sleep, gets tired quickly during the day, and becomes irritable . This condition is harmful for the mother and the unborn child.

The problem of insomnia is solved by pillows specially made for women in an “interesting” position.

This important item performs several tasks at once :

• helps the expectant mother find the most comfortable position during daytime rest or night sleep;
• correctly distributes the load on the spine;
• suitable for use at any stage of pregnancy;
• helps to rest tired legs after long walks;
• remains indispensable after the birth of the child - the pillow is comfortable to lean on while feeding the newborn. It is used as a kind of playpen for the baby.

During pregnancy, many women become so accustomed to their pillows that they continue to use them for relaxation. Aren't they harmful? If a pillow is made from high-quality and safe materials, it brings only one benefit .

Pillow shapes

There are a wide variety of pillows designed to help pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, so do your research on each one thoroughly.

U-shaped

Presented in the form of an elongated horseshoe. Supports the body both from the abdomen and from the back. Allows you to easily roll over to the other side without dragging the pillow behind you. While sleeping, throw your arms and legs over her and hug her. The U-shaped model is convenient not only during sleep. While reading a book, watching TV, doing handicrafts, place the device around you: this will relieve fatigue and relax the body. When choosing this form, consider its dimensions. If you're over 160cm tall and your bed is small, a U-shaped model probably won't work.

"Bagel"

The name describes the appearance of the accessory. You can simultaneously put your head on the pillow and throw your limbs on it. The model will support the abdominal or back muscles during sleep. While sitting, place it under your lower back: this will relieve fatigue. Suitable for both tall and short women and will fit on a small bed. The disadvantage is that you cannot turn on your side without moving the pillow.

G-shaped

Reminds me of a bagel shape. One side of the model is twisted, the other is bent at a right angle. Place your head on the accessory and hug it in your sleep. While sitting, place it under your lower back or stomach to relieve muscle tension. Some G-shaped women complain that the tip of the pillow puts pressure on their stomach.

C-shaped

It is good to hug the model with your arms and legs while sleeping. Place it near your stomach and back, relieving tension from the muscles. Excellent relaxation if used in half-sitting and half-lying positions. Presented in a relatively small size, you can take it with you on a trip.

L-shaped

The shape resembles the Russian letter "G". Hug her while sleeping from the front, put her under her back. Due to its small dimensions, the model will not interfere even in a single bed. The disadvantage is that when turning, you will have to shift the pillow too.

I-shape

The model has the form of a roller. Thanks to its compact size, use it anywhere: put it under your stomach, back, hug, throw your leg or arm.

Transformable pillow

The pillow accommodates several described models at once. Consists of two separate straight and one curved roller. There are ribbons for tying on each side of the modules. Tie straight lines to the rounded roller on each side to create a U-shape. By attaching a rounded roller on one side to a straight roller and a straight one at a right angle on the other, you will get a G-shaped model. If you want an I-shaped one, tie two straight rollers. Variants of forms depend on imagination. The downside is that it is overpriced compared to other models.

Which side to sleep on during pregnancy

Doctors recommend that expectant mothers sleep on their left side. Sleeping on the stomach is extremely undesirable, as the weight of the mother’s body puts pressure on the baby, causing him discomfort. The position of the expectant mother, lying on her back, is fraught with hypoxia - the fetus in this position presses its own body weight on the vessels, experiencing a lack of oxygen and nutrients. This is not only undesirable, but also dangerous.

Doctors do not encourage the position on the right side because of the strong pressure on the liver, which already has to work 2 times more intensely. You can sleep like this, but not for long. The left side remains and this is a very convenient option. You can sleep on this side throughout your pregnancy, sometimes turning over to your right side.

Dimensions

Not only the shape, but also the size of the accessory is important. Please ensure that the size of the model you choose matches your height, build and bed dimensions.

Table of pillow shapes and sizes.

Fillers

Stores sell pillows filled with several types of artificial materials. More often these are holofiber and polystyrene foam balls, less often artificial bamboo and silk fibers, synthetic swan down, and comforter.

Holofiber

Lightweight non-woven material resembling padding polyester. Positive properties:

• springs, retains its original appearance;
• hypoallergenic;
• does not absorb moisture;
• not colonized by fungi and bacteria.

Expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene are small balls filled with a special gas that do not change their shape.

Positive properties:

• “adjust” to the shape of the body;
• environmentally friendly;
• do not absorb moisture and dirt;
• durable.

Sometimes bedding is filled with comforter, a lightweight synthetic material made from polyester fibers. In addition to the advantages of artificial materials, such as hypoallergenicity, shape restoration, durability, comforter has another advantage - fire resistance (polyester fibers do not support combustion).

Review of the best pillow manufacturers

Accessory manufacturers offer a wide selection of products designed for pregnant women. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Theraline

Theraline maternity and nursing pillows are manufactured in Germany. The material used is distinguished by its quality and safety. The accessory is filled with polystyrene foam balls, the size of which does not exceed 0.5 cm. Thanks to the technology of cleaning the balls in 3 stages and preserving their shape, the pillow is practically not deformed. A removable case is included. Theraline offers C- or L-shaped pillows (M7). C-shaped is available in sizes 170 or 190 cm, L-shaped - 150 cm. Additionally, a replaceable cover or a children's neck pillow is supplied. The price of the product varies depending on the size and design and ranges from 2600 to 6100 rubles.

Farla

The pillows of this company are made in Russia. Farla produces a variety of products designed for expectant mothers and newborns, including maternity and nursing pillows. Sleeping accessories are presented in a wide range. Choose a pillow of any shape and size with one of the proposed fillings - comforter, holofiber, polystyrene, double (polystyrene balls + synthetic material). The cost of products depends on the shape and filler. For Farla accessories you will pay from 920 to 5900 rubles.

BioSon

The company's production is located in Russia. You will see different shapes of pillows: U-, G-, C-, I- and L-shaped. In this case, you choose the filler yourself - holofiber, polystyrene balls or artificial swan's down. An advantage of purchasing a pillow from BioSna is the possibility of individual tailoring, both according to the required size and filling density. You will spend from 980 to 3400 rubles on a product.

Restful sleep

Another Russian company producing sleep accessories. The “Quiet Sleep” assortment mainly includes U-shaped pillows, but there are also G-, C-, and I-shaped ones. The manufacturer has 5 types of filling to choose from - holofiber, expanded polystyrene, artificial swan down, synthetic bamboo and silk fibers. The covers of the products have a hidden zipper sewn into them, thanks to which the size and density of the pillow can be adjusted to suit you. Purchasing the product will cost from 950 to 3800 rubles.

Red Castle

Only the C-shaped model of the French brand Red Castle - Big Flopsy - is presented on the Russian market. The length of the product is 170 cm, the filling is polypropylene foam balls, the cover is easily removed using a sewn-in zipper. Buying a pillow will cost about 5,000 rubles.

Product care

The pillow will last a long time if you care for it properly. So, the top decorative cover must be washed regularly. Typically, the frequency of washing is the same as for regular bed linen - once a week. After washing, the cover must be ironed, then put on the roller.

The product itself can be folded in half and placed in the washing machine. Depending on how the filling is inside, it is recommended to wash at a temperature of +30+40°C. There is no need to put the machine on a strong spin - this can deform the pillow, the filling will clump into a lump and it will be impossible to straighten it.

After washing, the product must be dried thoroughly. As a rule, fillers dry quite quickly, since they are porous and light. It is best to take the ottoman outside and dry it there - indoors it may take longer to dry and will acquire a slightly musty smell.

How to use a pregnancy pillow correctly

When purchasing an unusual accessory, the abundance of shapes and sizes can be confusing. But immediately after purchasing the product, doubts disappear, because there are no strict instructions for using such accessories; their use is chosen independently. In general, experts offer the following options:

1. Lying on your side, place your head in the center of a U-shaped pillow or on the edge of a C-, G-, I- or L-shaped pillow, and hug the long edge with your arms and legs. Your sleeping position will relax your abdominal muscles and other parts of your body. The U-shaped will additionally support the spine, ensuring a restful night's sleep and daytime rest.
2. Lie on your back with a U-shaped pillow with the edges toward your head, your elbows at your sides, like on the arms of a chair, and your feet in the center of the pillow. The pose will relieve swelling from the legs and the body will relax.
3. Lie on your stomach, placing it in a looped pillow and placing your head or chest on the edge. This position will help you find the long-awaited resting position on your stomach and will give you a rest for your abdominal and lower back muscles.
4. Roll the pillow into a ring and sit in the depression formed. The position will support the spine and relax the legs.
5. Lean your back against the center of the pillow and cross the ends in front of your stomach. It’s so convenient to read, work on a laptop, relaxing your arm muscles.

Also, rest accessories for expectant mothers are used when feeding a newborn in several ways:

1. Wrap the pillow around your waist, center forward, and cross the ends behind your back for support. Place your baby on the pillow in front of you. The position will help you relax your lower back and take the strain off your arms.
2. Place the central part of the pillow behind your head in a sitting position, and place the ends as the armrests of a chair. In this position it will be cozy and comfortable for both the baby and his mother.
3. Place the central side of the pillow towards the hand on which the baby is lying, and bend the sides around you. The position will help your baby reach your breast without much effort.

Think of many more ways to use a pregnancy pillow, for example, create a cocoon for your baby to sleep in or create a border for playing together. It all depends on your imagination.

Conclusion

So, pillows for pregnant women with holofiber or comforter are suitable for those who want to save money on this purchase and also do not have any special preferences in choosing a position for sleeping or relaxing. This is a good option that is easy to wash and dries quickly. Immediately after purchase, it may spring slightly, but this effect will soon disappear.

The polystyrene foam filler is hard and perfectly follows the shape of the body. The product is indispensable for a woman who does not want to change her favorite sleeping position during pregnancy. It is comfortable to be on the surface even with a very large belly. When using high-quality padding, the item will last much longer than an accessory with holofiber.

Author: Maria Uralskaya