How to Choose a Pregnancy Body Pillow
Whether you’re in the early or late stages of your pregnancy, a maternity pillow can be beneficial to your comfort, rest and health, and is an important prenatal accessory. Health care professionals recommend that women sleep on their left side with knees bent slightly to help increase oxygen flow to the baby, but many pregnant woman find this and every other sleep position uncomfortable. Head pillows can support certain areas of the body, but a body pillow may be most comfortable when you're pregnant because it's specifically designed for pregnancy.
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Things You'll Need
- Computer
- Internet
- Home store
- Maternity store
- Maternity pillow reviews
- Pregnancy magazines
Instructions
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Pinpoint the areas that are most stressful to you. Every woman experiences her pregnancy differently and has different aches and discomforts. Pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to alleviate all different types of stress, from hip pressure to back support. Figure out exactly what stresses are most bothersome and find the pillow designed for your needs.
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Know what’s available. Maternity body pillows are available in a variety of options: full body memory foam pillows that adjust to the contours of your body; smaller pillows made to soothe and prevent specific problems like back, hip and upper shoulder pain; simple wedges that slide under your growing belly; and bean-shaped pillows that wrap around your mid-section.
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Ask for advice. Chances are you know someone who has been or is currently pregnant. While your parents are a great source of information, the advancements in maternity accessories have improved vastly over the last few years, so it’s best to ask someone who has been recently pregnant. Everyone has different problems when they are pregnant, so use their information as a helpful guide, but don’t think their opinion is definitive.
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Read the reviews. Visit a few websites and read several pregnancy magazines to see what the reviews say about the specific products that are available. Personal reviews are the most honest opinion and a great guide for helping you narrow down your search.
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Try it on for size. A maternity pillow will feel differently when held snug against your body than it does when you push it in with your hand. Most home and maternity stores allow you to touch, caress and even try their stock, so don’t be shy. This will be one of the most important purchases you’ll make during your pregnancy, so take your time, try a few different options and decide which one is right for you.
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Try a new position. If you’re used to sleeping on your back or front, then you’ll have a difficult time adjusting to the lump forming on your stomach, but you can get used to it. Start by trying to fall asleep on your side in the early weeks and months of your pregnancy, before you really start showing, to give yourself a leg up in the adjustment. Additionally, you should start to use your maternity pillow before you feel like you need it as your body will need some time to get used to this new product.
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Don’t skimp where your comfort is concerned. Body pillows can be relatively expensive, especially when you get to the types that provide pinpoint relief to very specific problem areas. Remember that a durable pillow can be used again and many maternity pillows can be used post pregnancy for nursing and cradling your new baby.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you find a product you like, shop around for the best price.
Sleeping on your back during pregnancy, especially after the fourth month, is not advised.
Resources
- Photo Credit iStock Photo
