Wedge cushions have been used in hospitals for a long time for various reasons, mainly to aid in comforting people with injuries who need the specific kind of support they provide. That said, they are great for basic things, too, just like watching TV or reading in bed. They provide support to the lower back that can’t be achieved with a standard pillow for these activities.
For Health Issues
A wedge-shaped pillow helps people with acid reflux prevent excess stomach acid from leaking into the esophagus during sleep. A weakened ring of muscle at the opening to the stomach can cause chronic acid reflux. Besides being very painful in some cases, reflux can actually lead to cancer of the esophagus if left untreated. A wedge pillow will not cure any problems with heartburn or reflux but can help prevent it by tipping the lower body upward while sleeping so that acid is less likely to leak into the esophagus.
For swelling of the ankles or lower legs, a wedge pillow can be placed with the widest part underneath the feet, so that swelling is potentially lessened due to the fact the tissues are held above the heart. By holding swollen extremities above the heart, they are less likely to swell more, and swelling might actually go down.
For those with pain from a hip fracture, a wedge-shaped pillow placed between the knees (with the narrow part toward the groin, and the widest part between the knees or near there), the body alignment is a little better than not having a pillow there while healing from an injury like a hip repair. There is a specific pillow that can be used for this purpose that might be better, but in a pinch, the wedge pillow is a better option than a plain pillow. Comfort should be more easily achieved with a pillow between the legs, especially if the person wants to sleep on their side.
For Sexual Health and Fertility
A wedge-shaped cushion is ideal for those who are trying for a pregnancy. By placing the wedge cushion beneath the pelvis, with the narrow end of the wedge tucked beneath the lower back of the woman, the pelvis is tipped upright (toward the ceiling). This position not only allows for more pleasurable intercourse when using the missionary position, but it also helps the sperm to stay up inside the vaginal vault, near the cervix, and the opening to the uterus and fallopian tubes. The sperm then have an easier time swimming upward into the area where the unfertilized egg is during times of fertility.
When trying for a pregnancy, the more time spent immediately after ejaculation of the sperm with the pelvis tipped upward to facilitate fertilization, the better the chances are at success. Many women even go so far as to do a headstand against a wall, with the lower body up above the head after sex for a few minutes to increase fertility.
If you or your partner are disabled and have trouble with sexual positions that aren’t missionary or another “standard” position, a wedge pillow will help the clitoris expose itself from within the labia to be stimulated in the missionary position. This helps the woman to achieve orgasm in a position that is often difficult for a woman to achieve climax in. A definite great reason to get yourself a wedge pillow!
Comfort Is Key
You’ll find a wedge pillow is great for many positions when sleeping, once you have one. Invest in a wedge pillow today to help with common ailments and issues.