What is a pregnancy pillow?

"A little one is on the way, congratulations! You are sure to face an exciting, yet fun period ahead. Unfortunately, there will also be some aches and discomforts around the corner. Wouldn't it be nice to get a little support in your back from time to time? Read on and discover how a pregnancy pillow can offer you more comfort."

What is a pregnancy pillow?

Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to make your pregnancy as comfortable as possible. As your belly grows larger, you will notice that your freedom of movement becomes limited. This can make it much more difficult to fall asleep, sit comfortably at the dining table, or even sit on the couch. A pregnancy pillow supports your back and belly. Are you in the last months of your pregnancy? Then it may be that you are increasingly experiencing discomfort in your belly and/or back. In this case, a pregnancy pillow is extremely suitable for you! Did you know that 1 in 10 women suffers from persistent back pain after giving birth? Curious about more common pregnancy complaints? Check out 9x The Most Common Pregnancy Complaints!

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 either, 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 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 ensure that you still get your nighttime movement. But it does allow you to stay in the same position longer without suffering from stiff joints or a painful back." Read now our best sleep tips for a better night's rest!

The right support for back and abdomen

Your body goes through quite a lot during pregnancy. Especially your back and belly will face a tough time. Months of carrying that extra weight, you will definitely feel it. Your back carries most of this weight and therefore sometimes 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 to place it exactly on the painful spot in your back to achieve 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

The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is super flexible. You can wrap it around you in different ways, and in principle, you can use the pillow in any conceivable manner. The C-shaped pregnancy pillow is designed to support your back and belly. The best way to do this is by squeezing one side of the pillow between your legs while your head rests on the other side of the pillow. By placing the pillow under your belly, you provide support for it. Although the pillow does not lie completely against your back, it is also supported by the shape of the pillow! A C-shaped pillow can also be used as a nursing pillow. You can simply wrap the pillow around you, place the sides on your lap, and let your baby lie on it. This way, your baby is at the perfect height for your nursing moment.

U-shaped pregnancy pillow

The U-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, you have the two "stripes" of the U lying against your back and stomach. You place your stomach on one side of the pillow while you can lie against the other side with your back. This way, both your stomach 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. We will share the last things you need to consider if you want to buy a pregnancy pillow."

Pregnancy pillow

You can't easily wash the pregnancy pillow yourself. That's why it's handy to order a washable cover with your pregnancy pillow. This way, your pillow stays nice and fresh for a long time with frequent use. Especially when you also use your pregnancy pillow as a nursing pillow. Dirty stains on your non-washable pillow are of course a shame!

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. It is therefore especially suitable in winter or for those who feel cold. 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!" Are you experiencing a lot of lower back pain during your pregnancy? A stability ball can help you adopt a better posture, which will reduce stiffness in your spine. Read the article and discover the benefits of a stability ball during your pregnancy. "Do you already have experience with a pregnancy pillow and do you have any tips or additions to these blogs? Let us know by leaving a comment below 👇"