Weighted duvets and pregnancy

Fatigue is something that many struggle with during their pregnancy, often as a result of disturbed sleep. Difficulty finding a sleeping position, nasal congestion or vivid dreams can all be disturbances that affect sleep. A weighted duvet also called, weighted blanket can act as a natural aid for deeper relaxation and better sleep.

It is not unusual to experience sleep problems during pregnancy. Finding a comfortable sleeping position with a growing pregnant belly may be one reason, but other factors also play a role. Regardless of the reason, this can create both frustration and anxiety, not least when fatigue creeps in.

Fatigue during pregnancy

Feeling very tired is something that many people experience, and is especially common both in the early and late stages of pregnancy. This is the body's own way of telling you that it is time to take it easy, relax and sleep more. But when sleep is made difficult by, for example, uncomfortable sleeping positions or many visits to the toilet, it can be extra important to find time and aids for recovery.

Weighted duvets during pregnancy

Weighted duvets can stimulate the receptors in the skin in a similar way to touch, which in turn contributes to relaxation and better sleep. The pressure from the duvet is often described as the pressure from a full-body embrace. Touch like this causes the body to release feel-good hormones such as oxytocin which in turn makes us feel more relaxed and feel less stress, anxiety and worry. This, in turn, also causes us to shorten the time it takes to fall asleep, something that can be highly desirable when nighttime sleep is disturbed by, for example, visits to the toilet, uncomfortable sleeping positions and intense dreams.

The duvet can be used as it is, or together with a regular blanket in the bed. It is also good to put the weighted duvet over your shoulders or on your lap to relax a little extra during the day. Or why not use a weighted blanket on the sofa to unwind before a night's sleep.

Difficult to find a sleeping position

With a growing pregnant belly, it can be difficult to find a sleeping position that is comfortable and comfortable.

For example, it becomes difficult to sleep on your stomach when the baby in your stomach grows bigger and the pressure becomes too hard, while a sleeping position on your back can create feelings of fainting. A phenomenon called vena cava syndrome which can especially occur towards the end of a pregnancy, when the uterus, according to the Swedish Care Guide (1177.se), presses on a large blood vessel near the spine. This can create problems for those who are above sleeping on their side, or have difficulty finding a position that works and you may need to use pillows that are inflated in different ways to support the body. For example, a little extra pillow support between the knees, under the stomach and under one arm can do wonders for finding a comfortable position during the night.

Even a weighted duvet can serve as a good aid for adapting to a new sleeping position. This by getting the body to relax and find peace in the new position, and that the weight can counteract the desire to spin around in bed in search of a new position.

More intense dreams

Experiencing vivid and intense dreams during pregnancy is not just a whim. It is about the body's sleep cycles of deep sleep (NREM sleep) and dream sleep (REM sleep) being affected if you wake up more often, for example by more visits to the toilet or cramps in the calves. Sleep disorders, in turn, create increased pressure on dream sleep, which creates more intense dreams once it hits.

Evenly distributed pressure

The weight and pressure of a weighted duvet is distributed evenly over the entire body, which makes it possible to also use a weighted blanket during pregnancy. As general advice to all users, CURA of Sweden recommends a weight that is 10–15 percent of their own body weight, as this is a weight that the vast majority of people are comfortable with. However, this is individual and CURA always recommends consulting with your midwife if you are unsure about use and weight in connection with your particular pregnancy.