One of the symptoms of pregnancy is back pain. A woman is carrying a growing weight in her tummy and this puts a lot of strain on her back.
While some cases of back pain may only last for a few days or weeks, some people suffer recurring back pain for their entire pregnancy. This is due to day after day of strain on the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the lower spine. The strain can produce either sudden or gradual painful muscle spasm or tension.
Studies have actually stated that direct medical costs for back pain reach approximately $24 Billion every year while indirect expenses total to roughly $35 Billion. With these staggering amounts, back pain is surely something that everyone should avoid.
What can a woman do during pregnancy to help her aching back? One of the most common contributors to this pregnancy back pain is sleeping on a bad or sagging mattress. Because people don't get a good night sleep, they can wake up mentally and physically distressed. Even if one would choose to ignore the pain and get on with her daily routine, the strain will still cause pain and may even lead to arthritis and many other conditions later in life.
To avoid this, one might want to purchase a better mattress for pregnancy. Besides, a good mattress can also bring about restful sleep, which is absolutely needed to replenish the used up psychological and physical energies.
The following are helpful tips on choosing the right mattress for you and your family:
Tip #1: Do initial research
Do you need a twin, single, double, full, king or queen mattress size? Choose one that can accommodate your entire body. Bear in mind that sizes sold in the United States may vary from those sold in the United Kingdom and other countries. Hence, compare the sizes and choose the most suitable one. Also, many home furnishing stores carry exclusive lines these days so do extensive comparison-shopping beforehand.
Tip #2: Take someone to go with you when you shop
This is important since you need to have a second opinion before you finally buy that mattress. Many people get swayed either because of the low price or design so it is better to bring someone along to give that helpful, honest opinion.
Tip #3: Consider the levels of comfort
As much as possible, ask for available mattress catalogues. These contain illustrations or cutawaysof the mattress interior. Check the layers and see if there are enough pads, toppers and foam. If you are in a home furnishings store, you can also try to ask if you could lie down on the mattress and give it a test Try various sleeping positions and see if your lower back, shoulders, legs and hips are supported well while lying on the mattress. Remember that there is no one ideal mattress. People have different perceptions of ease and comfort, hence, it is best that you try lying on the mattress first. Comfort does not mean that the mattress has to be stiff, though, just so you can be sure that it has the necessary support for your body. Which brings us to the next tip.
Tip #4: Consider the level of support
You would want your mattress to be firm yet still soft enough to conform to the curves of your spine and the rest of your body. The mattress has to help you maintain the same natural alignment of your body. This is important because you would not want to injure your bones especially your spine.
Tip #5: Give emphasis on value
There may be low priced mattresses available and these may seem nothing different compared to the more expensive ones but more often than not, there is a reason for the price discrepancy. More expensive mattresses guarantee good quality. Also, some cheap mattresses may initially do the trick, however, they may later sag and would need additional pads and toppers, hence, it comes out expensive as well.
There are a lot of mattresses available in the market today so you need to make the right choice. After all, you will be using the mattress every single day. Treat yourself to a good and informed choice.
Once you have a new mattress, add a large pregnancy pillow to curl up with and your comfort is assured.
While some cases of back pain may only last for a few days or weeks, some people suffer recurring back pain for their entire pregnancy. This is due to day after day of strain on the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the lower spine. The strain can produce either sudden or gradual painful muscle spasm or tension.
Studies have actually stated that direct medical costs for back pain reach approximately $24 Billion every year while indirect expenses total to roughly $35 Billion. With these staggering amounts, back pain is surely something that everyone should avoid.
What can a woman do during pregnancy to help her aching back? One of the most common contributors to this pregnancy back pain is sleeping on a bad or sagging mattress. Because people don't get a good night sleep, they can wake up mentally and physically distressed. Even if one would choose to ignore the pain and get on with her daily routine, the strain will still cause pain and may even lead to arthritis and many other conditions later in life.
To avoid this, one might want to purchase a better mattress for pregnancy. Besides, a good mattress can also bring about restful sleep, which is absolutely needed to replenish the used up psychological and physical energies.
The following are helpful tips on choosing the right mattress for you and your family:
Tip #1: Do initial research
Do you need a twin, single, double, full, king or queen mattress size? Choose one that can accommodate your entire body. Bear in mind that sizes sold in the United States may vary from those sold in the United Kingdom and other countries. Hence, compare the sizes and choose the most suitable one. Also, many home furnishing stores carry exclusive lines these days so do extensive comparison-shopping beforehand.
Tip #2: Take someone to go with you when you shop
This is important since you need to have a second opinion before you finally buy that mattress. Many people get swayed either because of the low price or design so it is better to bring someone along to give that helpful, honest opinion.
Tip #3: Consider the levels of comfort
As much as possible, ask for available mattress catalogues. These contain illustrations or cutawaysof the mattress interior. Check the layers and see if there are enough pads, toppers and foam. If you are in a home furnishings store, you can also try to ask if you could lie down on the mattress and give it a test Try various sleeping positions and see if your lower back, shoulders, legs and hips are supported well while lying on the mattress. Remember that there is no one ideal mattress. People have different perceptions of ease and comfort, hence, it is best that you try lying on the mattress first. Comfort does not mean that the mattress has to be stiff, though, just so you can be sure that it has the necessary support for your body. Which brings us to the next tip.
Tip #4: Consider the level of support
You would want your mattress to be firm yet still soft enough to conform to the curves of your spine and the rest of your body. The mattress has to help you maintain the same natural alignment of your body. This is important because you would not want to injure your bones especially your spine.
Tip #5: Give emphasis on value
There may be low priced mattresses available and these may seem nothing different compared to the more expensive ones but more often than not, there is a reason for the price discrepancy. More expensive mattresses guarantee good quality. Also, some cheap mattresses may initially do the trick, however, they may later sag and would need additional pads and toppers, hence, it comes out expensive as well.
There are a lot of mattresses available in the market today so you need to make the right choice. After all, you will be using the mattress every single day. Treat yourself to a good and informed choice.
Once you have a new mattress, add a large pregnancy pillow to curl up with and your comfort is assured.
About the Author
Monica Nelson writes about health topics, about womens health issues, and about early pregnancy symptoms and the benefits of omega 3 fish oil for healthy babies. Always talk to your doctor about health issues such as pregnancy.
