Health benefits of using a maternity pillow

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be an uncomfortable period of time, as one adjusts to added weight and a changing center of gravity. One of the most difficult times to get comfortable during pregnancy is while sleeping, and as rest is particularly important for pregnant women, a maternity pillow might be the perfect solution for your pregnancy-related discomfort.

Health benefits include:

Ease back pain with a maternity pillow

With an average weight gain during these nine months of 25 to 55 pounds, adjusting to this abdominally centered weight causes back pain in many pregnant women.

Often the most comfortable position for sleeping during pregnancy is on one’s side. This can put pressure on your hips and pelvic region, however. This problem can be alleviated by positioning a maternity pillow to support these parts of your body. They can be used to ease pain while watching television, reading a book, or simply relaxing as well – and are a versatile way to make your pregnancy more comfortable. Sleep positioning is easier with maternity pillows.

As mentioned previously, the optimal position for sleeping for women while pregnant is on their side. However, this can feel slightly unnatural for back or stomach sleepers, especially at first.

Maternity pillows can be positioned to keep one comfortably resting on their side for the entire night. These pillows will prevent one from rolling out of the ideal position by creating a comfortable nest around your body. The sooner that a pregnant woman becomes accustomed to sleeping on her side, the easier it will be to get more restful nights of sleep throughout the pregnancy. A maternity pillow can facilitate this process. Sleep longer and more soundly

While it is always important to get a good night of rest, during pregnancy it is even more of a priority.

A better rested mother-to-be is able to devote more of her body’s resources to the growth and development of her baby. More sleep will help a pregnant woman feel more relaxed and less stressed; minimizing the health issues and complications associated with stress and raised blood pressure during this important time.

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a woman’s life. Enjoy your pregnancy more by getting better night of sleep and enjoy the health benefits of being better rested.

Different Types of Bed Pillows and Their Benefits

(*Please note that this article is an opinion and not to be taken as medical advice or expert information.)

Many people may not realize that there are so many choices when it comes to deciding what to lay their head on at night. Each different type of pillow offers unique benefits. Selecting the right pillow for you may help you sleep better at night and allow you to wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Knowing the various pillow options that exist along with your preferred sleeping style, will help you make and informed choice to get the best sleep each night. The following is a list of different types of bed pillows and some of their benefits:

Latex Pillows

Latex pillows are great pillows for back and side sleepers. Natural latex is poured into a pillow shaped mold with perforations; and what emerges is a spongy pillow. Latex pillows provide firm support for your neck, yet are soft enough to relieve pressure on your head. The perforations on the pillow prevent a buildup of heat and moisture, keeping the pillow at a constant temperature all night long.

Buckwheat Pillow

Buckwheat Hull Pillows are good for back, side and stomach sleepers. The reason that they offer benefits to all three sleeping positions is because the pillow is completely adjustable. Buckwheat pillows are zippered cotton pillowcases filled with natural buckwheat hulls. Buckwheat hulls are flat beans that slide around and adjust in the pillowcase as you move in your sleep. Buckwheat pillows are thermodynamic, so they remain a constant temperature throughout the night.

Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are good for side and back sleepers. Memory foam is heat sensitive and conforms to your head and neck as you lay on it. This material is usually advertised as molding to your unique shape, reducing stress points, and then springing back into place. Memory foam is a hypoallergenic material and available in several densities. The higher the density of the foam, the more support it offers and usually, the better the quality. Most memory foam pillows are molded into a contoured shape and provide wonderful cervical neck support.

Magnetic Therapy Pillows

Magnetic therapy pillows have embedded magnets that provide a magnetic field around your head and neck as you sleep. They are touted as a safe and effective way to relieve aches and pains. They also can keep your sinus passages clear and help you breathe better while you sleep. If you get congested when you lay down, you will notice a positive difference with magnetic therapy.

Traditional Knife Edge Memory Foam Pillow When most people think of memory foam pillows, they imagine the typical contour shaped pillow made of memory foam. But there are also memory foam pillows shaped like regular pillows. They offer the comfort of soft, but supportive memory foam and the shape of a traditional pillow. These pillows are thick and great for side sleepers.

Latex Foam / Memory Foam Combination Pillow

These unique pillows provide all of the benefits listed about Latex Pillows and Memory Foam Pillows. The unusual aspect of these pillows is that one side is Latex Foam and the other side is Memory Foam. This offers the opportunity to change the pillow from one to the other simply by flipping it over. It’s like two pillows in one.

Body Pillows

Body pillows are great pillows for side sleepers and pregnant women. Many people enjoy sleeping on their side, but the weight of their arm on top tends to compress the chest, which can become uncomfortable after awhile. A body pillow will help prevent the compression of the chest by supporting the arm. Although a body pillow may be long enough to bend around and support the head, it may be too thick. It would be beneficial to use a separate pillow for your head.

This is by no means a complete list, but it gives a general overview of the various types of pillows that are available. As stated earlier, the right pillow can offer you a better night’s sleep resulting in more energy during the day.