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Body Pillows for Pregnant Women

Ashwini Kulkarni Sule
Ever heard of body pillows for pregnant women? If you are a pregnant woman then, these very useful things can assure a good night's sleep.
If you are into your late second or third trimester, we need not repeat the discomforts due to your growing belly. None of the sleeping positions seem comfortable to you and you spend the whole night tossing and turning. Apart from the obvious implication of sleep deprivation, an incorrect sleeping position may also lead to several other complications.
Back pain and leg cramps are some common problems that women face due to the growing size of their bellies. Body pillows for pregnant women can help alleviate this problem to some extent. These very special pillows are designed to render maximum comfort to the pregnant woman.
Pregnant women are advised to sleep on their left side. Sleeping in this particular position alleviates the pressure of the placenta and fetus off your vital organs.
Sleeping on the back is not recommended, because that way, you are at risk of straining your inferior vena cava, which carries blood from the lower organs to the heart. The weight of the placenta and fetus can impair the oxygen and nutrient carrying capacity of the blood vessels. 
Sleeping on the stomach is not a feasible option for the obvious reasons. In that case, if you are a natural back or tummy sleeper, you may have trouble adjusting to this new position. Even those who are used to sleeping on their sides, may find it difficult to catch some sleep during late pregnancy. 
The reason is the growing belly puts lot of pressure on the spine and cause tremendous discomfort. Due to lack of proper support to the stomach and back, women may face severe discomfort and back pain.
This problem is alleviated when you use special body pillows. These maternity pillows are designed according to the contours of the body of a pregnant woman. Full body pillows provide support to the back and stomach.
Besides, the design of the pillow is such that you are required to lift your knees a bit and sleep in a semi-fetal position. This particular sleeping position encourages blood supply to the fetus. The cushion between your legs also minimizes the possibility of leg cramps at night.

Best Pregnancy Body Pillows

Full body pillows alleviate the need for several pillows that you might be using to rest your head, support your back, and lift your legs. Besides, you can also use these pillows as props while watching TV, working on the computer, or doing any work for that matter.
Often, these pillows are made out of hypoallergenic polyester fiberfill, which makes them entirely safe for pregnant women. Also, the covers are 100% cotton, so that you get maximum comfort. The covers are removable and machine washable.
You can even use these pillows after childbirth, more so if you had a C-section. Since your body will most likely be stiff and sore after pregnancy, you can do with as much support as you can get.
Before buying body pillows, read reviews of users who have actually used them. This will help you in making a better choice. Also, while actually shopping for these in a store, do not hesitate to try them. This way you will get a better idea regarding what exactly you need to go for.
Thus, a body pillow for pregnant women can be your best friend during pregnancy. Try sleeping on your left side from your first trimester only, so that you get used to it and adjust to this new position. A maternity pillow can gently support your body so that you sleep like a baby.