When you find out that you’re pregnant, you start to mentally prepare for the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn. Unfortunately, your sleepless nights will probably start long before your little one arrives. Research shows that more than half of all pregnant women experience poor sleep when they are expecting. As your pregnancy progresses, you will find it increasingly difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. Though it can be tricky at times, getting a good night’s sleep is important for a healthy pregnancy.
How Pillows Can Improve Sleep and Health During Pregnancy
Improves Physical Health
Your body undergoes a lot of physical changes during pregnancy that put tremendous strain on your entire system. Your blood volume increases by as much as 50% to nourish your growing baby but this means that your blood vessels and heart need to work much harder. In addition to this, the changes in your body and posture put strain on your back, legs and joints and pains and aches in these areas will make it harder for you to fall asleep. Sleep gives your body the time it needs to heal and repair so if you have less sleep, your aches and pains will get worse and this can result in a vicious cycle. This is where pregnancy pillows come in – a pregnancy pillow provides gentle support to the areas that need it the most so that you can get better sleep. Pregnancy pillows come in a range of shapes and sizes so you should choose one that suits your needs. An analysis of the top pregnancy pillows by independent experts will allow you to compare the pros and cons of each before making a decision.
Improves Mental Health
Sleep plays a crucial role in maintaining emotional and mental health as sleep deprivation is linked to increased psychological distress. Pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster as changes in hormonal levels result in heightened emotional sensitivity. This is why you find yourself sobbing inconsolably during movies or even sad commercials! Research on the impact of sleep during pregnancy found that poor sleep quality is linked to increased depression and stress. Several studies also link poor sleep during pregnancy with a higher risk of developing postpartum depression. As your pregnancy progresses, you will have more trouble trying to settle into a comfortable sleeping position. Pregnancy pillows can help you find a sleeping position that works for you so that you can get a good night’s sleep which will have a positive impact on your overall mood and mental health.
Promotes Healthy Immune Function
Pregnant women are more susceptible to some infections compared to the general population. This is due to several changes in the immune system that take place during pregnancy. While we still do not fully understand these complex changes, we do know that sleep plays a critical role in maintaining healthy immune function. This is why pregnant women who get insufficient sleep are more likely to experience increased severity of illness as well as longer recovery times. However, as your pregnancy progresses, it will become increasingly difficult for you to sleep through the night. Towards the end of your pregnancy, you will probably wake up several times a night to relieve yourself but a pregnancy pillow will help you fall asleep within minutes so that there is minimal disturbance to your sleep pattern.
Supports Baby’s Health and Development
When it comes to caring for our unborn babies, most of us only focus on what we eat and drink. However, sleep or the lack of it can also impact an unborn baby’s growth and development. Preliminary research indicates that poor maternal sleep is a risk factor for preterm birth and low birth weight among other issues. Furthermore, sleep plays an important role in several metabolic processes including glucose metabolism. Impaired glucose metabolism increases the risk of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes research shows that babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life. This is why it’s important to invest in a pregnancy pillow that will ensure you get the sleep you need so that both you and your baby remain healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Helps Regulate Hormones
There are several hormone levels that increase and decrease throughout your pregnancy which is normal and to be expected. However, poor sleep can also impact your hormone levels and cause them to rise more beyond what’s acceptable – this can have an adverse impact on pregnancy. For instance, studies on maternal sleep quality show that poor sleep leads to increased production of the stress hormone cortisol. A pregnancy pillow will improve sleep quality and quantity which in turn will help to regulate the production of cortisol and other hormones.
