There is no benchmark or set time that let you know When to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow? But there are a few guidelines that tell you this is the right time to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow.
You might have a lot of friends who would share their experience with you, or you might think you can get all the information you need online.
However, as a mother-to-be, you can never have too much information. This is because each woman has their personal experience.
Not two pregnancies are alike, even when it is the same person.
The symptoms and conditions can vary widely. This is why you must keep an open mind and remain up-to-date when it comes to the latest in medical news.
So, let’s check,
When To Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow?
The best time to start using a pregnancy pillow is when your body feels uncomfortable, or your body needs external support to carry the weight of your belly during sleep to reduce the stress and pain in the night.
The shape and material of a pregnancy pillow are unlike that of a standard pillow because these are made to accommodate a pregnant woman’s body.
And using one at the right time is not only a lifesaver in providing comfort during pregnancy, but the improved posture greatly helps during delivery.
Their ability to be morphed into shape according to your desire means that you can get comfortable even when you lay down—resulting in a much better and longer sleep.
Pregnancy pillows allow for you to keep parts of your body elevated in such a manner that it improves the blood flow and reduces swelling.
This is especially useful for women who stand for long periods and get a lot of swelling in the feet. And you do not need to get rid of it once you have delivered.
Let me help you to make a decision about when to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow.
1.) Rule of Thumb: –
If you are still confused and need guidance with deciding when to buy a pregnancy pillow, then a good rule-of-the-thumb is getting one when you are twenty weeks into your pregnancy.
Which is when you are five months pregnant, nearly halfway through the pregnancy.
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 it can get to get comfortable.
There are no hard and fast rules, but you do not want to start using one before time.
This is because carrying one around, or forcing yourself to use one can be stressful.
Note: You can take your time and familiarize yourself with the pillow of your choice before you hit the twenty-four-week mark.
2.) Level of Comfort Your Body Need: –
You need to see comfortable you are in your current state. As every woman who is pregnant gains the weight in their unique ways, the level of comfort you feel differs.
Some women are very comfortable with their bodies until the last few weeks of the third trimester.
However, some start to feel the grind from the get-go.
One way to tell when to start using a pregnancy pillow is to use your intuition.
Ask yourself, ‘Do I need extra padding?‘ ‘Is it high time that I should buy a pregnancy pillow?‘
You should invest in a pregnancy pillow when you feel you need extra help getting comfortable.
3.) Level and type of activity:
Most women are active throughout their pregnancy, which is excellent. It is healthy, you keep in shape, and it can be beneficial during delivery.
However, it is easy to get extremely tired, as well. Women who stand for long periods, for example, are more prone to varicose veins and general swelling of the ankles and feet.
If you are more active, then the chances that your body is undergoing much more wear and tear during pregnancy.
This means you should try to get a pregnancy pillow sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, when to start using a pregnancy pillow also depends on the number of physical tasks you do.
Being active is excellent; in fact, it is recommended. But the result is that when you finally rest, the aches and tension in the muscles can make it hard for you to relax fully. This is when a pregnancy pillow comes in handy.
Check this what physical therapist recommends.
4.) Using a Pregnancy Pillow:
Once you have finally decided and bought your pregnancy pillow, you must figure out how to use it to your best advantage.
Pregnancy pillows look nothing like regular pillows, and that may make them appear intimidating.
There is no need to worry since you can get a lot of help from various sources. You can get tips on their usage from fellow moms.
Sometimes maternity classes will also help address the issue of getting the best use out of a pregnancy pillow.
If you are suffering from a particular issue, like varicose veins or a cramp somewhere, your doctor can guide you on which pregnancy pillow to get and how you can utilize it to target the problem area.
Even if you do not access to the resources mentioned above, you are sure to find a good tutorial online.
Here is a link to a video where a doctor shows how to use a pregnancy pillow:
Final Words:
Pregnancy is an exciting period, but it is also very tough. You can get drained physically and emotionally.
However, putting yourself first should be a priority for you because you are responsible for your and your baby’s health.
The discomfort that comes with the physical changes brought on by pregnancy is unavoidable. But you can take steps to mitigate it, and one way to do this is by using a pregnancy pillow.
Like all women, you must be curious as to when is a good time to start using a pregnancy pillow. Just go through our comprehensive guide and so you can decide when to buy and use your pregnancy pillow.
You might get a recommendation from your doctor to get one, or a friend may give you advice on buying one.
Make sure to select the right one that meets your needs. Ask yourself why you need it, and when do you plan to use it?
Answering these crucial questions will help you gain clarity and enable you to make the right decision.
Just do what you feel is best for you. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to deciding When to Start Using a Pregnancy Pillow.
Be sure to select the one the suits your needs when you do decide. Best to of luck with the pregnancy and be sure to remain healthy and active.
Resource
1.) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4989752/
Sakshi Patel
Senior Content Writer
Sakshi Patel is a busy Mom who enjoys spending most of her time with her cute daughter and a pet dog. She joins us as a senior content writer, and because of her creative writing style, has become our top-rated content writer