How to choose a pillow for pregnant women

Women expecting a baby should take care of quality sleep. A growing belly can be difficult to find a comfortable position. Special pillows for pregnant women will come to the rescue, the existence of which you did not even suspect before a new life was born inside you. We'll show you how to choose the right pillow for you.

Why you need a special maternity pillow

A maternity pillow is not just a woman's whim. Experts are convinced that during pregnancy it is necessary to use a pillow specially designed for expectant mothers. Its main advantages are:

allows a pregnant woman to find a comfortable position for sleeping, resting during the day, reading, watching TV, eating;
reduces the load on the body of the expectant mother, which is especially important from the 2nd trimester, when the stomach is noticeably rounded. The pillow can be used as a support for the lower back, rounded sides or tired legs;
you will be able to put such a pillow under your stomach and you will not feel discomfort, as is the case with the usual models;
its use will reduce the load on the spine, as it will be evenly distributed;
even after the baby is born, it will be useful to you: you can lean on it when feeding or make a kind of playpen out of the pillow for the child so that he does not fall out of bed.

After the baby is born, you can use the pillow to:

Free your arms to relieve stress on the back muscles when feeding. This is especially true if your baby is eating slowly.
Create a cozy "nest" for games and even sleep for your baby.
Make the feeding process as convenient as possible, even for twins.
Reduce stress on your hands.
Help your child learn to sit, etc.

Maternity pillows differ in fabric (the cover that covers the pillow is easy to remove and washable in the washing machine), shape, filler (which allows the pillow to perfectly follow the contours of your body), as well as quality and price. Making the right choice is not easy. However, taking note of our tips, you will not go wrong.

Pillow shapes

There are many forms, each with its own characteristics. We will briefly describe the basic shapes of pillows, which will help you make the right choice.

There are many offers on the market at various prices. Inexpensive pillows for pregnant women can be bought in the online store Pillow-mom.rf... Here are the products under the brand "Health and Comfort" from the manufacturer. We recommend purchasing only certified goods in order to be calm about the health of the mother and the unborn child.

U-shaped

This pillow resembles a horseshoe in its shape, therefore it is sometimes called that way. It is considered one of the most popular options for pregnant women. Will this pillow bring you happiness and sound sleep? Let's take a look at its advantages and disadvantages.

Pros of a U-shaped pillow:

evenly supports the abdomen and back;
great for those who like to wrap themselves in a blanket at night, as if in a cocoon;
you do not have to shift it when you roll over as it covers both sides.

And now about the cons. Its disadvantages are as follows:

a spacious bed is needed, since the size of the pillow is quite large;
you are unlikely to be able to sleep in an embrace with your beloved.

Let's clarify about the sizes that this pillow is presented in two versions. If your height is more than 160 cm, the 340x35 model will suit you. Petite girls choose the size of the pillow 280x35.

"Bagel"

A pillow of this shape will allow you to get comfortable not only for a night's sleep, but also for watching a movie or reading a book. Its size is usually 340x35. Its advantages are as follows:

the pillow completely wraps around your body;
on it you can place your head, back or stomach at your choice;
it is suitable for a small bed, as opposed to a "horseshoe";

Although the "bagel" has its drawbacks, there is only one significant drawback:

when the woman turns to the other side, the back is unsupported, and the belly of the expectant mother rests against the back of the pillow, which leads to the need to turn this accessory over.

G-shaped

This species has recently appeared on sale, but has already gained popularity among the fair sex. The size of such a pillow is 350x35. That's why you should choose it:

the pillow will help you relax, relieve muscle tension;
you can sleep as you want: put it under your head, wrap your legs around, lean your back, tuck it under your stomach;
perfect for daytime relaxation.

But this type of pillow also has a drawback:

The “scion,” that is, the tail of the G, can interfere with your sleep.

C-shaped

The banana pillow, as it is also called, is also specially designed for pregnant women. In addition, it is made taking into account the growth of the expectant mother. If it is more than 160 cm, the size 190x30 will do, and for petite women, you should choose the 170x30 option. Main advantages:

it does not require much space;
will support the back and stomach;
will provide a sound sleep on the side, which is especially important in the later stages;
will allow you to relax in the afternoon reclining or half-sitting;
the small size of the pillow makes it comfortable to travel.

Expectant mothers are rarely unhappy with her purchase - there are no significant shortcomings.

L-shaped

This pillow is shaped like a long roller, the length of which is 230 cm. Its upper part is rounded especially for the head. The advantages of this form:

does not require a lot of space;
will be convenient in any situation.

The downside is that when you turn from side to side, you will need to shift the pillow.

I-shaped

A special cushion for women in position is extremely popular. Usually it comes in the following two sizes - 170x30 and 190x30. It is chosen because of the following advantages:

it is compact;
thanks to her, your body will have a good rest;
allows you to relieve the neck joints and spine;
help the muscles to relax;
is inexpensive.

This pillow won't take up much space and will help you relax. Its major shortcomings were not noticed.

Excipients

Opinions differ on which filler is the best. The choice is usually between two options: expanded polystyrene and holofiber.

Expanded polystyrene - a very interesting filler, which is small balls. It is absolutely safe, it is not threatened by ticks, mold and various microorganisms. The styrofoam-filled pillow will conform to the contours of your body for a comfortable fit. In addition, it is not springy.

Styrofoam pillows:

very light;
hypoallergenic;
environmentally friendly;
water-repellent;
do not absorb odors;
are not attractive to mites, molds and other microorganisms;
durable.

Styrofoam pillows are easy to wash and dry. The main disadvantage of these products is their high cost, although it is justified by the quality.

Holofiber - small hollow fibers bonded at high temperatures. The advantages of such a pillow are easy care for it, long service life, and also the ability to wash it at home.

hypoallergenic;
environmentally friendly;
water-repellent;
does not absorb odors;
not attractive for "infestation by parasites and mites";
durable;
retains its shape, thanks to which each pillow is pleasantly springy.

Types of fabrics

A prerequisite for high-quality pillows is their layering.

The first layer of fabric, enveloping holofiber or expanded polystyrene, must be sufficiently dense. It wraps around the inner filler and prevents it from freely penetrating the fabric fibers. Most often, satin or calico is used to make a cover.

The second layer is a removable pillowcase. This is a durable, pleasant to the touch and in most cases natural fabric that you can choose as you like.

If you plan to use a pillow while breastfeeding, pay attention to how easy it is to remove and wash the pillowcase, as the baby can inadvertently stain it with his feces or excess milk.

The following fabrics are used in maternity pillowcases:

Coton;
Linen;
Knitwear;
Velours.

The peculiarity of velor is that it allows you to organically fit into your home interior. Flax is especially good for use in summer. And cotton and knitwear can be called versatile materials.

You can choose a bright, rich or discreet, pastel color of the pillowcase according to your mood.

Issue price

The price depends on the manufacturer and the shape of the pillow. For example, a “bagel” and a U-shaped model will cost you about 3 thousand rubles. Pillows in the shape of the letter G are in the middle price category, that is, they are somewhat cheaper. And the lowest prices are distinguished by "I" - and "L" -shaped models.

As for the manufacturers, pillows are offered at an affordable price by the companies "BIOPodushka", "Theraline", "BioSon" and "Fest". The products of "Red Castle", "Farla" and "Mothercare" are somewhat more expensive.

You can choose and buy pillows for pregnant women and feeding a baby in the BIOPodushka online store - https://www.biopodushka.ru/catalog/1594/

How to use

You may have a legitimate question about how to use such a pillow. At first it may not seem very comfortable to you, but after a few nights the unusual sensations completely disappear. We recommend using the following tips on how to sleep on a new pillow.

You can expand it as it is convenient for you, adjust it for yourself. Choose the option of its location that suits you. While sleeping, put a pillow under your stomach, side, or on your side - between your legs.
Try your purchase before bed. Roll up your pillow, roll up it in different directions, and you will see how elastic and resilient it is.
Tell the gynecologistobserving you about his acquisition. He will give you advice on how to take the most convenient benefit for your term. It will also tell you which pillow is right for you.
Use your purchase and after delivery, in particular for feeding a newborn... For this purpose, wrap such a pillow around you, placing one edge under your back and placing the other on top of your knees. This will relieve your spine and give it support. In addition, your hands will be free, which will allow you to lay the baby on a soft feather bed and change when breastfeeding.
Even if the baby is already older, the pillow will come in handy. It can be used resting on the edge of your sofa and will serve as a great barrier for the child... This will allow you to be absent for a few minutes on business without worrying that the baby will fall. or use the pillow when your toddler is sleeping, playing, learning to crawl or sit.

Using the pillow correctly, you will sleep soundly at night and feel great during the day. Remember that not only your health depends on this, but also the development of the baby. After he is born, it will be useful to him too. And this pillow will remind you of pregnancy. The comfort provided at this time can make you want to have another baby. And then the purchase will be useful again for the expectant mother.

Feedback from forums

Katia: I first bought it in the form of a boomerang. And everything would be great, but it is inconvenient to turn from side to side with this bandura at night. After I bought U, I am very, very happy, I sleep like in a cradle, my lower back has stopped hurting. You just need to take into account the size of the bed, such a pillow takes up a lot of space)

Eve: Take U, really the best, they wrote it right here, you sleep like in a cradle, and these arcs and L-shaped you will be tortured to move in bed. I have an L-shaped one in the living room, I watch TV on the couch, and sleep only U, it is more expensive, but worth it. By the way, I bought at a factory, they advised me to take NOT with balls and let me lie down on the sofa))) - try it.

Masha: Oh, and now I also have this MIRACLE-PILLOW !!!! I sleep like a normal person again! I already love her) Just mega-thing, I don't know how I lived without her before? And under the tummy and under the back - so comfortable. And most importantly, you fall asleep very quickly! I have shaved it for so long, in the end I bought the firm "I Love Sleeping", they are the coolest there), these huge pillows also turn into a toy 🙂

Kitten:I am insanely happy with the pillow. During the day I lie on it on the sofa, at night I sometimes sleep on it, sticking one end between my legs, the other under my head.

Lorelay: My husband finally bought me a pregnancy pillow. Just a super thing !!! It is very convenient to relax and sleep.
That's just our bead, as soon as I put it under my stomach, until it kicks off, and not weakly, it calms down. And our dad also got into the habit of resting on it. Probably need to demand one more pillow