What is a pregnancy pillow?

A little one is on the way, congratulations! You are surely looking forward to an exciting, yet enjoyable period. Unfortunately, there will also be some aches and discomforts along the way. Wouldn't it be nice to get a little support now and then? Read on and discover how a pregnancy pillow can provide you with more comfort.

What is a pregnancy pillow?

Zwangerschapskussens zijn speciaal ontwikkeld om jouw zwangerschap zo comfortabel mogelijk te maken. Wanneer je buik alsmaar groter wordt zal je merken dat je beperkt gaat worden in je bewegingsvrijheid. Dit kan het een stuk moeilijker maken om in slaap te vallen, comfortabel aan de eettafel te zitten of zelfs op de bank te zitten. Een zwangerschapskussen ondersteunt je rug en buik. Zit jij in de laatste maanden van je zwangerschap? Dan kan het goed zijn dat je steeds meer last van je buik en/of rug krijgt. In dit geval is een zwangerschapskussen uitermate geschikt voor jou! Wist je dat 1 op de 10 vrouwen last heeft van blijvende rugpijn na de bevalling? Benieuwd naar meer veelvoorkomende zwangerschapsklachten? Bekijk 9x De Meest Voorkomende Zwangerschapsklachten!

How does a pregnancy pillow work?

Extra support? Sounds fantastic! But how does a pregnancy pillow work exactly? Generally, a pregnancy pillow has three different uses:

For a better night's sleep

Every night you toss and turn quite a bit in your bed. Not so strange, specialists believe that movement is an important part of our sleep. It stimulates blood circulation and ensures flexible joints. By not moving, you wake up stiff and not well-rested the next morning. This poses quite a challenge when you are pregnant. Every pregnancy is different, but some women feel a stabbing pain when they turn. A pregnancy pillow ensures that your body can stay in a comfortable position for longer. This is due to the extra support your body receives from the unique shape of the pillows. So it won't prevent you from moving at night. But it allows you to stay in the same position longer without suffering from stiff joints or a painful back. Read our best sleep tips for a better night's rest!

The right support for back and abdomen

Your body endures quite a lot during pregnancy. Especially your back and belly will face a tough period. All that extra weight for months, you will definitely feel it. Your back carries most of this weight and therefore occasionally needs a bit more relaxation. Pregnancy pillows often have a unique shape (more on that later). This shape allows you to wrap the pillow comfortably around you or place it exactly on the painful spot in your back to get optimal support.

Using a pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow

A frequently asked question to our customer service is as follows: Are your pregnancy pillows also suitable as nursing pillows? Our answer: Yes! By placing our pregnancy pillow on your lap, you can also use it as a nursing pillow. What exactly do we mean by a nursing pillow? The name speaks for itself a bit. It helps you support your little one during (breast)feeding. The pillow ensures that your child is at just the right height for their feeding moment. This way, you don't have to support your baby with your arms while feeding.

Which shape pregnancy pillow should I choose?

Pregnancy and nursing pillows are available in all shapes and sizes. But how do you know which one will be most suitable for you? In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of pregnancy pillows:

C-shaped pregnancy pillow

Het C-vormig zwangerschap kussen is super flexibel. Je kan het op verschillende manieren heerlijk om je heen slaan en in principe kun je het kussen gebruiken op elke denkbare wijze. De C-vorm zwangerschapskussen is bedoeld om rug en buik te ondersteunen. Dit kun je het beste doen door één kant van het kussen tussen je benen te klemmen, terwijl je hoofd op de andere kant van het kussen rust. Door het kussen onder je buik te leggen ondersteun je deze. Hoewel het kussen niet volledig tegen je rug aan ligt wordt deze ook ondersteund door de vorm van het kussen! Een C-vorm kussen kan ook als voedingskussen gebruikt worden. Je kunt het kussen simpelweg om je heen slaan, de zijkanten op je schoot leggen je baby hierop laten liggen. Zo ligt je baby precies op de goede hoogte voor jullie voedingsmoment.

U-shaped pregnancy pillow

The U-shaped pillow provides perfect support for the back and belly. It supports the entire body from the neck to the hips. The U-shaped pillow can be used in two ways. You can wedge it between your legs by positioning the closed side down or you can position the closed side up and use it as a head pillow. In both ways, the two "stripes" of the U will be against your back and belly. You lay your belly on one side of the pillow while you can lie with your back against the other side. This way, both the belly and back enjoy maximum comfort. The U-shaped pregnancy pillow can also be used as a nursing pillow.

Wedge cushion

A wedge pillow only provides support for the belly, unlike other forms. The purpose of the wedge pillow is to place it under your belly so that it is always supported while lying in bed. The disadvantage of a wedge pillow is that it cannot be used as a nursing pillow and does not provide support for your back. That's a shame, as it has to endure quite a lot.

What else is important before my purchase?

Of course, you want to enter your pregnancy well-prepared. You're in luck. Here, we will share the last things you need to consider if you want to buy a pregnancy pillow.

Pregnancy pillow

Je kan het zwangerschapskussen zelf niet makkelijk uitwassen. Daarom is het handig om een wasbare hoes mee te bestellen bij je zwangerschapskussen. Zo blijft je kussen lang mooi en fris bij veelvuldig gebruik. Zeker wanneer je jouw zwangerschapskussen ook als voedingskussen gaat gebruik. Vieze vlekken in jouw niet-wasbare kussen is natuurlijk eeuwig zonde!

Which material is most suitable?

The purpose of a pregnancy pillow is to provide maximum comfort. With that in mind, it is important to look at the material your pillow is made of. Ella Health offers you the option to choose between Cotton or Minky. Minky is a nice soft fleece fabric that is used in many baby outfits, swaddles, and other baby accessories. It has a high degree of wearing comfort. However, Minky is a synthetic material. Something that some people see as 'of lesser quality'. Synthetic material is not necessarily worse than natural material. Minky is nice and warm. Therefore, it is especially suitable in winter or for those who feel cold easily. Are you unsure about Minky? Then cotton is always a safe choice. This natural material is found in most sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. The chance of an allergic reaction is therefore small.

Finally

Is a pregnancy pillow something for you? Then quickly take a look at our assortment. Ella Health has been working on improving sitting and lying comfort in the Netherlands since 2018. We do this by developing sustainable products that improve our physical well-being every day! Do you suffer a lot from your lower back during your pregnancy? A sitting ball can help you adopt a better posture, which will reduce stiffness in your spine. Read the article and discover the benefits of a sitting ball during your pregnancy. Do you already have experience with a pregnancy pillow and have tips or additions to these blogs? Let us know by leaving a comment👇