Pregnancy for most moms is characterized by aches, cramps, and pains in different body parts.
These pains are, in many ways, caused by a lack of support. Your body is carrying a lot of extra weight, putting immense pressure on your back, legs, bones and hips. This is especially noticeable during or after sleep when you have remained in the same position for a long time.
Since most painkillers are off the table now, you must get creative about preventing those aches. While there are many ways to find relief, investing in a pregnancy pillow can be a great way to support your hips and get the rest you need. Pregnancy pillows come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they all share the goal of providing support and comfort to side-sleeping expectant mothers. A pregnancy pillows also;
- Helps to keep your neck, back and hips aligned
- Reduce pressure around your pelvic area and hips
- Improve circulation
- Ease adjustment to the side sleeping position and
- Prevent you from rolling over to your back while sleeping.
Does A Pregnancy Pillow Help With Hip Pain
One of the common discomforts during the last trimester is hip pain. In preparation for labor and delivery, your body releases a hormone, relaxin, to relax and soften your connective tissues and joints. This increase in flexibility however, leaves the joints and ligaments vulnerable to any pressure. As your baby grows heavier, the weight pressure on your ligaments increases, and this is what causes hip pain.
Placing a pregnancy pillow between your knees while side sleeping elevates the hips and reduces the pressure placed on them. Earlier in the pregnancy, you can tilt to your back a little and put a pillow under your knees. A good pregnancy pillow also rests underneath the belly and pelvic area, effectively lifting up the belly for support, so your body doesn’t twist out of alignment due to the weight. By giving your hips the support they need, pregnancy pillows can help to take the pressure off and provide some pain relief. They also help to keep you comfortable by allowing you to maintain your preferred sleeping position.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Hip Pain
Any full-body pregnancy pillow will work for hip pain because it tucks between your knees and also supports the belly and the back. But if you want something compact and more specific to hip pain, here are my recommendations.
Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
This beautiful knee pillow is made from soft yet dense memory foam, which adjusts to the shape of your legs, creating a perfect support system. The hourglass shape makes it fit perfectly between the knees, and the dual curved design cradles each leg, providing the ultimate separation.
As if that wasn’t enough, the pillow also comes with an adjustable strap to ensure it stays put all night long despite you tossing and turning. They also include a soft, breathable, and machine washable cover, so you don’t have to worry about using a dirty pillow.
And yes, this pillow also comes with memory foam earplugs to ensure nothing disrupts your sleep.
Sleep Yoga Knee Pillow
While the Everlasting Comfort Knee Pillow is for side sleepers only, this one is suitable for all sleeping positions. You can place it between the knees when sleeping on your side or under your knees when back sleeping. Sleep Yoga had the pillow designed by a chiropractor, so it has orthopedically designed angles and contours to improve sleeping posture and relieve hip pain. The pillow is 80% cotton, but the cover is all soft, breathable cotton, and it is machine washable.
I love how long the pillow is because it covers your entire lower body, not just the knees. Sometimes the ankles need support and separation too.
Final Thoughts
While a pregnancy knee pillow is invaluable in pregnancy, it also comes in handy after pregnancy. After all, you will still be sleeping on your side after birth due to breast weight or breastfeeding. And if you are a side or back sleeper, you can continue using it for years to come.
So Mama, I know that finding a comfortable position can be difficult, especially as your belly grows. Treat yourself for a pregnancy pillow! Believe me, it will easily help you to achieve the side sleep position which is recommended during pregnancy, so you can get the rest you need.
