Being pregnant places a lot of demands on your body. The closer you are to delivery, the more difficult it is for you to rest comfortably – yet the more you need that rest. One way to improve your ability to rest is to purchase a maternity pillow.
But what is a maternity pillow? A maternity pillow is a pillow that’s especially designed to support a pregnant woman's body when she’s resting or sleeping, and can also be used after pregnancy to assist during breastfeeding.
There are three basic types of maternity pillows. The first type of pillow is essentially a wedge. It’s designed so that when you’re lying on your side, you can insert the wedge under your abdomen to support it. Normally, when you’re lying on your side, the weight of your abdomen pulls against your back, causing back pain and making it difficult to rest. You can also place the wedge shaped pillow between your knees to help better align your hips.
The second type of maternity pillow is shaped like a U or V. These types of pillows can also be used to support the abdomen when you are sleeping on your side or be placed between your knees to help align your hips. These pillows are also useful when breastfeeding because they can help lift the baby up to the level of your breasts for better positioning. There are also some very large U-shaped pillows that are large enough to fit between your knees, under your abdomen, up around under your head and then down behind you back. Some women particularly like these pillows because they feel comfortably cradled within them and enjoy the additional support at their back.
The third type of maternity pillow is shaped like a large cylinder. These pillows are usually used in front of the body under the abdomen and sometimes between the legs at the same time. Generally, the offer the same advantages of the wedge and U-shaped pillows described above.
The advantage of using a maternity pillow is that you can use a single pillow to provide support to your changing body, rather than trying to use multiple bed pillows. A single maternity pillow is easier to keep in position and has the right amount of support for a pregnant body. These pillows can also be wonderfully supportive when you’re in labor.
When choosing a maternity pillow, you may want to try them out in a store where you can lay down with several different styles and find one that works well for you. Maternity pillows can be expensive, although you’ll quickly see that they’re well worth the extra expense. However, they generally can’t be returned, so you’ll want to be sure to choose the right one for you.
Look for a pillow that has a removable cover for washing. If you’re prone to feeling hot or having hot flashes – as many pregnant women are – you may also want to look for one of the special covers that’s designed to wick moisture away from your body and help you stay cool.
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