Pregnancy is a magical journey for mothers, but it also comes with many disturbances in daily life, especially sleep.
Many people seek out various supportive therapies to ensure a good night’s sleep for themselves and their unborn babies. One of them is weighted blankets.
So, can pregnant women use weighted blankets? Yes, you absolutely can. Using a weighted blanket during pregnancy does not pose any potential hazards.
The biggest problem you will probably experience is the discomfort when the temperature rises because of the considerable weight. However, everyone’s problem is often different. Let’s read the article below to see if it is good for you.
What Are Weighted Blankets?
Calming blankets
Weighted blankets are also known as calming, sensory, or anxiety blankets. They are heavyweight quilts.
The blanket’s structure consists of bags filled with barley, glass beads, plastic, and sand. The pockets are evenly distributed throughout the comforter for just the right amount of thickness.
The best materials are clean, natural, non-toxic, and easy to clean. The recommended weight of this blanket should be 10% plus a pound or two of your body weight.
The weight of the blanket draped over a child’s body feels like a close hug to soothe and comfort.
Initially, therapists recommended using weighted blankets to support children with sensory processing disorders. One of the most common includes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
In theory, the significant weight of the blanket should have positive effects on mental health. It helps to reduce overstimulation by calming the nervous system.
The blanket’s primary method is mainly based on Deep Pressure Touch therapy (DPT). In a word, when there is intense pressure on your body, it creates the feeling of being hugged.
The extra weight activates the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) by contacting sensory points when using the weighted blanket.
As a result, the body will release many positive hormones such as melatonin or serotonin. Their main effects are calming, mood-boosting, and sedative.
Is It Safe To Use A Weighted Blanket While Pregnant?
Yes, you can absolutely use weighted blankets even while pregnant.
Yet, many women tend to sweat a lot and raise their body temperature during pregnancy. The blanket can be too heavy and make you feel tired in this case.
If you are still unsure, it is helpful to contact your GP for the most specific advice. Women who are pregnant from 28 weeks or the third trimester should also consider sleeping on their side. You can lie on any side.
If you wake up lying on your back, adjust the position to lie on your side so as not to put pressure on your body.
To learn more about the best and worst sleeping positions when you’re pregnant, check out the video below.
Benefits Of Using Weighted Blankets During Pregnancy
Once you have a clear understanding of what weighted blankets are made of and how they work, let’s learn about their benefits.
1. Deep Touch Pressure
The sensory blanket uses Deep Touch Pressure (DTP) technology. It revolves around using pressure on the body to increase the production of serotonin, the hormone that helps the body relax.
DTP provides the body with the sensation of a close touch, hug, or cuddle. It is an effective type of therapy to calm the mind with many effects on the body. Some of them improve sleep quality, reduce stress, and increase happiness.
2. Relief From Inflammation
A common side effect during pregnancy is swelling of the hands and feet. The main reason is that a woman’s body will produce 50% more fluid during this time, especially in the last four months.
This pain will make your sleep much more exhausting and difficult. The good news is that a calming blanket can solve that problem.
According to The Journal of Pain’s study in 2021, the use of a blanket that weighs 15 pounds will reduce the severity of chronic pain.
You can sleep peacefully and let the blanket soothe sore spots on your body. It really is pure bliss.
3. Reducing Stress and Anxiety
Pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster that any woman must go through. No matter how hard you try to stay calm and happy, stress and anxiety will still be inevitable.
This fear is even more significant with first-time mothers. Expectations about motherhood and anxiety about the unborn baby increase the hormone cortisol.
These sensory blankets use the Deep Pressure Touch (DPS) technique. Its main effect is to reduce feelings of stress by stimulating the production of the hormone serotonin.
This chemical is the main trigger for melatonin production. When combined together, your body will feel more comfortable and at ease.
This therapy is much more secure than taking anti-anxiety drugs with artificial ingredients that affect the baby’s health.
4. Alleviating Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common condition experienced by pregnant women.
It creates a tugging or tingling sensation and stimulates your leg movements, leading to late-night jolts. In the long run, it causes insomnia symptoms.
Although you can use drugs with a sedative effect, they will leave some sequelae on the body. Thanks to its naturalness, this type of blanket would be a more affordable choice.
5. Cooling Effect
With hot sleepers, you can still choose products that come with a cooling effect.
The primary materials of this blanket type are breathable materials to reduce the temperature, especially in summer. It also minimizes night sweats.
Hormonal changes can cause a pregnant woman’s mood swings due to increased body temperature. The use of this type of cooling blanket will improve that problem.
6. Drug-Free
During pregnancy, you need to be extra careful with the foods and chemicals that get into your body. Medicines containing many chemicals can leave side effects and affect the fetus’s health.
These anxiety blankets provide an all-natural method of relaxation and sedation. However, you can talk to your doctor for more specific advice.
7. Grounding Sleeping Position
Many experts recommend that pregnant women use more than one mattress or pregnancy pillow as back support to support sleep.
The extra weight from your baby puts extra pressure on your body parts, especially your thighs, belly, and back.
The use of a multi-layer cotton mattress or pillow will support these parts to limit pain.
A good sleeping position also improves blood circulation throughout the body. This type of blanket acts as firm support for the body when sleeping. Rest assured to relax your body to stay healthy, especially in the later stages of pregnancy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can use a weighted blanket during pregnancy. It is a relaxation tool that improves sleep quality and effectively sedates.
Don’t worry too much because their weight is only about 10% of your total body weight. The even distribution of the material bags also ensures a minimum of weight on the abdomen.
However, every woman will have different preferences. You should meet and consult with your doctor to make the best decision for your health.
Thank you for reading!
