Struggling to Sleep During Pregnancy? Here’s How to Find Relief

We all know pregnancy is a unique phase in our life, and we must take care of our physical and emotional health to bring a new life into the world. When you’re pregnant, you need to take good care of yourself and your body. This includes getting a good night’s sleep. You might be used to sleeping on your belly or sides, but that can be tough when you’re in the family process. 

For pregnant women, a pregnancy pillow is usually a godsend. Not only does it provide support to your body, but it also helps your baby get comfortable (also check 10 amazing mattresses for pregnancy). 

We will review how to sleep with a pregnancy pillow and which type of pillow will be the best for a good night’s sleep.

Key Takeaways

Why Pregnancy Makes Sleep Difficult?

Hormones  

Many unexpected aches and changes are observed in your sleep during pregnancy. Most of it has a direct connection with hormone imbalance. For example, increased progesterone can make you super sleepy during the day. But other hormones can mess with your dreams, making them more vivid and strange. 

Some hormones make your muscles tighten up, which can cause snoring and make it hard to get comfortable at night. 

Heartburn  

Heartburn can be a real pain, especially for expecting mothers. Hormones and the pressure from a growing baby can cause acidity and indigestion. Heartburn is mostly known for keeping moms-to-be disturbed at night. 

However, if you’re experiencing heartburn during pregnancy, you can do a few things to find relief. 

Stress 

You might have difficulty sleeping due to various thoughts and expectations about your baby’s arrival. Will labor be smooth, or will there be complications? What if something goes awry? Have I got everything I need? How will the baby look like? These thoughts can keep an expecting mother up all night. 

Luckily, you can do a few things to ease your anxious mind and get some rest. 

When to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow? 

When you feel uncomfortable during pregnancy and need extra support, it might be time to invest in a pregnancy pillow. These pillows can help relieve stress and pain and make sleeping more comfortable (also check the top rated mattresses with great comfort). Here are a few pointers to help you decide when to use it. 

It is usually advised to get a pregnancy pillow when you are twenty weeks into your pregnancy (check 7 great organic pillow for pregnancy). At this point, you are almost five months pregnant. This is the perfect time because from this point onwards, the weight gain will become more rapid, and your body will need all the help to get easy.

It is essential to stay calm throughout your pregnancy. Every woman gains weight in her unique way, and this will affect the level of comfort you feel. Some women feel great about their bodies until the last few weeks of pregnancy, which is a good sign. Once you feel like you need some extra help getting comfortable, it’s probably time to invest in a pregnancy pillow. 

Being active during pregnancy is excellent for you and your baby. It helps keep you in shape and can ease discomfort during delivery. If you are more active, your body is going through more wear and tear during pregnancy. A pregnancy pillow can help immensely, providing support and comfort when needed (also check 10 top-quality pillows with great comfort).  

Get help from fellow expecting moms, doctors, or your maternity class. If you have a specific cramping area or need local support, go for a pillow to help counter the issue.  

How to Use A Pregnancy Pillow Properly? 

Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow is all about finding the right shape for you. Some people prefer a U-shaped pillow to support their whole body, both front and back. At the same time, others find a C-shaped pillow more comfortable for their neck, belly, and knees.  

There are many pregnancy pillows, so experiment until you find the one that’s right for you. And remember, there are no specific rules about using a pregnancy pillow. Compliment your instincts and go for what feels most comfortable to you. 

Using Full-Length Pregnancy Pillows

You may ask yourself if you prefer to sleep on your side (also check the best selling mattresses for side sleepers). The full-length pillows are perfect when you sleep on your side and need support for your belly. These full-length body pillows are long enough to wrap your arms and legs around them.  

They provide the added comfort required and do not shift quickly. They are ideal if you don’t move a lot during sleep as they are heavy and need no frequent adjustments.   

Moreover, instead of stacking and spreading pillows all over the bed around you, using a full-length one is better. This is the best choice if you have extra room on your bed. You can sleep without any worries or getting uncomfortable.  

Using C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillows  

Pillows that are C-shaped work best for plenty of reasons and target areas of your body. A C-shaped pillow is ideal for your back pain and when you need total body support (also check 10 amazing mattresses for back pain). It encases your body perfectly, so you sleep like a baby without tossing and turning.  

Its C shape makes it perfect for those suffering from knee, stomach, and neck pain (also check the top rated pillows for neck and shoulder pain). It’s like giving your aching body a relaxing massage all the time! So, if you have some extra room in your bed, pamper yourself with a C-shaped pillow and feel comfortable all night long.  

The C-shaped pillow needs to be placed on the bed first. To adjust well to it, fix the shape beforehand. Get on the bed and get comfortable around your new best friend.   

The pillow is used to support the back. The top keeps the head, whereas the end is to snuggle between the thighs. Overall starting from your head up to your thighs, the C bends around your back for immense support.  

U Shaped Pregnancy Pillow 

C-shaped and U-shaped pregnancy pillows make it easy to switch from side to side. However, U-shaped pregnancy pillows work best for back and side sleepers (check the top-quality pillows for back sleeper). So, no matter which side you prefer to sleep on, you have something to cuddle.    

Sleeping With a Pregnancy Wedge

A pregnancy wedge is an excellent option for mothers struggling to sleep. These wedges come in two shapes, i.e., circles and triangles. They are highly affordable, so they work best when you have a small budget.  

Moreover, they occupy less space. Unlike C-shaped and U-shaped, pillow wedges work best when you do not have much room in the bed. Using a pregnancy wedge is easy as it efficiently provides much-needed support.  

You just put it under the area where you need support and then relax. Whether it’s your tummy, hip, or back, if you are looking for versatility, go for a pregnancy wedge.  

Using Inflatable Pregnancy Pillows

Inflatable pregnancy pillows resemble air mattresses in the mechanism. They’re usually made with similar materials and have a pump for easy setup. Inflate the pillow to the desired stiffness, and you’re good to go! It is a gift for expecting mothers who are fond of sleeping on their stomachs but can’t do so anymore (also check 10 great mattresses for stomach sleepers).  

An inflatable pillow is helpful when your belly is huge in your third trimester. Lay down with your baby bump placed above the hole specifically for that purpose. Whether the pillow’s soft or hard, you might want to wrap a towel or blanket around it. Moreover, you can inflate and deflate as you’d like to adjust your level of support. 

How Do You Sleep Comfortably With A Pregnancy Pillow?  

The key to sleeping comfortably with a pregnancy pillow is to use it efficiently. Before grabbing any pregnancy pillow, you need to consider a few aspects.  

• Are you a side sleeper, or do you sleep on your back? 
• Which part of your body aches and makes you restless the most? 
• Which part of your body needs the most support? 
• Do you have any extra room on your bed? 

The answer to these questions will help you decide which pillow is best for you. Once you get the best supportive pillow, restlessness and sleepless nights are histories.  

To Sum Up 

We hope this article has helped show you how to use a pregnancy pillow. Pregnancy can be stressful and having the right support get a good night’s sleep can be vital to you and your baby’s health.

No matter which type of pregnancy pillow you choose, we hope it brings ultimate comfort (also check the top rated mattresses). Thank you for reading, and we hope you have a great night’s sleep tonight!