Everything You Need To Know About Using A Pregnancy Pillow

1. Home
2. Wellness
3. Health
4. Everything You Need to Know About Using a Pregnancy Pillow

Everything You Need to Know About Using a Pregnancy PillowWritten by Ashwini Arun Kumar Updated on Aug 30, 2021, 15:38 ISTFollow OnHere are advantages of using a pregnancy pillow for a comfortable pregnancy with expert tips from gynecologists. The yellow-colored pregnancy pillow that made its pop culture debut with the 2010 Jennifer Lopez-starrer, The Back-up Plan, has managed to remain relevant ever since. Turns out, there is more to it than simply being a prop. There are multitudes of benefits associated with the use of a pregnancy pillow that many women are still unaware of. And although your partner might be highly unhappy – considering that the pregnancy pillow takes up more than half of the bed, which invariably means his half – you are guaranteed to catch up on that much-needed sleep. A luxury of sorts for any pregnant woman. There is a lot of mystery associated with the pregnancy pillow; is it really necessary? Will it help alleviate some of that pain? Will I sleep better? Women who came before us seemed to have managed just fine, right? However, experts opine that using a pillow can help deal with many pregnancy related issues that were thought to come with the territory. And because we strongly suggest investing in one, here is a low-down on everything you need to know about a pregnancy pillow before going ahead with it. In This Article Pregnancy Pillow v/s Regular PillowWhen To Start Using a Pregnancy PillowHow Does a Pregnancy Pillow Help?Benefits of Bringing a Pregnancy Pillow:Types of Pregnancy PillowsFAQ: Pregnancy pillow

Pregnancy Pillow v/s Regular Pillow

Image: ShutterstockWedging a traditional pillow between your knees is not the same as using a pregnancy pillow that is specially designed to hug the contours of the ever-changing curves of a pregnant woman’s body. They are elongated, often designed to provide support at different places along the length of the body, thereby making sleeping a much comfortable activity, even for longer hours. It is especially helpful in the later stages of pregnancy when finding a convenient position almost becomes impossible.

When To Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow

Image: ShutterstockAlthough there is no rule to pinpoint when exactly to start using a pregnancy pillow, most experts suggest using it at around 20 weeks, when the mother will start experiencing some weight gain and expanding of the midsection which will add excess pressure on the ligaments. “Something as simple as supporting the growing belly with a pregnancy pillow, especially in a lateral recumbent position, that is when the woman is sleeping on her side, definitely lets her rest peacefully in the late trimester,” says Dr. Ankita Shahasane, a resident OB-GYN at D Y Patil Hospital.

How Does a Pregnancy Pillow Help?

Image: ShutterstockMost women who are pregnant experience aches in their backs, cramps in their legs, pelvic stiffness because of the excess weight in the midsection, and ultimately a lot of sleeplessness from dealing with all these problems at once. Insufficient sleep, in turn, is related to heartburns, elevated blood pressure, indigestion, and acid reflux. Using a pregnancy pillow alleviates problems that are induced because of sleep deprivation.

Benefits of Bringing a Pregnancy Pillow:

1. Helps adjust to new sleeping positions: As your body undergoes physical changes over the course of nine months, it becomes impossible to continue sleeping in the same position as you did before the pregnancy. Sleeping with a pillow will allow you to find a comfortable position and ensure that the spine is correctly aligned.
2. Keeps your neck, back, and hips aligned.
3. It allows you to sleep comfortably on your side (sleeping on your back is not advisable in pregnancy) which allows for better blood circulation.
4. It helps you fall asleep and stay asleep for longer hours.

“The snuggle effect that comes from hugging the pillow comforts and puts the mother at complete ease. It helps in easy breathing and decreases gastric reflux when reclining, especially in the latter half of the pregnancy when the belly is big. Tucking the pillow between the knees also aligns the pelvis,” says Dr. Arundhati Tilve, Assistant Professor, OB-GYN, at TNMC & BYL Nair Hospital, Mumbai. Tip: The pregnancy pillow comes in handy even after delivery by helping you get your baby into a comfortable position and assisting in breastfeeding. It is also beneficial for women who have undergone difficult childbirths and need time to recover. Image: Shutterstock

Types of Pregnancy Pillows

No two women will experience the same kind of pregnancies. Investing in a pillow requires you to be aware of what your body needs when you are sleeping. What works for someone may rarely work for you. Depending on what you need from your pillow, they can be broadly classified into three types:

1. The Maternity Wedge: This is best for women who are looking for targeted support, like under your belly or below the back. There are special contoured pillows available for wedging between the knees and require little space as compared to the big pillows.
2. The C-Shaped Pillow: This is great for women who are seeking greater support for their backs or their bellies. By tucking between the knees, it helps in stabilizing the hips and helps alleviate the stiffness.

Image: Shutterstock

3. The U-Shaped Pillow: A U-shaped pillow is recommended for women seeking support for every part of their body. Along with keeping the hips stable, it also aligns the spine and is especially useful for women who are accustomed to sleeping on their backs but are unable to do so because of their pregnancies.

Image: Shutterstock

FAQ: Pregnancy pillow

Q. Should I buy a pregnancy pillow?

A. Yes, one should most certainly use a pregnancy pillow, especially post 20 weeks or when you start noticing that your belly is growing. Sure, you can survive your pregnancy without one but it is definitely more comfortable with a pillow on your side than have it peppered with aches and pains that are easily avoidable.

Q. Which pregnancy pillow is best for me?

A. There are 3 main types of pillows – the wedge, the C-shaped and the U-shaped, depending on how much support one requires. One should also keep in mind the material of the pillow before investing in one. If you are prone to hot flashes or sweating, it is best to buy one that uses breathable fabrics.

Q. How do I use a pregnancy pillow?

A. There is no right or wrong way to use the pillow. However, it is seen that tucking the pillow between legs, using it to support the belly while lying on the sides or plopping on it to support the back are the best ways to utilize a pregnancy pillow. The aim is to provide maximum stability to the neck, back, and pelvis.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. It does not replace professional diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, health, or fitness routine.

Next Story :Glow From Within: Your Wedding Beauty Ritual with California AlmondsNext Story

Most Popular in Health

• Weekly
• Monthly
• Yearly

6 Mindful Morning Rituals That Don’t Involve Your Phone

Winter Snacking Made Smarter With Healthy & Guilt-Free Choices

7 ‘Sleep Hygiene’ Tweaks to Fix Your Circadian Rhythm

Why What Your Child Snacks On, Matters More Than You Think

7 Ways To Boost Focus Without Drinking More Coffee

Femina Dialogues: Understanding Thyroid And Its Connection With Diabetes

10 Foods That Help Lower Your Cholesterol Levels Naturally

12 Foods That Naturally Improve Thyroid Health

Glow From Within: Your Wedding Beauty Ritual with California Almonds

Our Review Process

Femina's content is created, fact-checked, and reviewed by qualified writers, editors, clinicians, and other contributors.

• Keeping high journalistic
• Standards
• Prioritizing accurancy, empathy,
• and inclusivity

We're working hard to continually improve, so we want to hear from you if we could be doing better. If you have any questions or comments about the accuracy or usability of our content or feel an article is out of date, you can easily let us know by visiting theis page.