Someone that has not been pregnant will never understand the discomfort it sometimes brings. Due to the extra weight that your body is carrying, and the disproportionate manner it is situated, areas of your back, hips, legs, and feet often feel incredible pain and discomfort. However, pregnancy pillows can be used to ease the pain and support the extra weight. Pregnancy pillows can be used to sleep with or during the day to provide extra comfort needed.

Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to fit certain parts of your body and add support. There are several different types made to fit your lower back, between your knees or thighs, on your neck, or your stomach.

As you progress through the stages of pregnancy, it will be more and more difficult to get comfortable. It will likely get to the point that you have a hard time sleeping because every position causes discomfort. As your stomach gets bigger, sleeping on your back will make you feel as though you cannot breathe, and can be harmful to the baby. Sleeping on your stomach is not possible. For these reasons, you will most likely end up on your side. However, the extra weight makes your hips hurt and you are not able to reposition very well. Luckily, pregnancy pillows provide relief!

The ideal position is lying on your side with a pregnancy pillow between your knees/thighs and another behind your back. The pillow between your legs offers support and relieves some of the pressure on your hips, while the pillow behind your back allows you to lie back slightly when you want to reposition. This gives you a range of motion and also gives your back a break.

Sitting for long periods also makes your joints ache when you are pregnant. A pregnancy pillow behind the back will also help this, as well as propping the feet up periodically. Some women feel relief from placing a pillow in their laps to support the extra weight of their stomachs. These techniques can also be used when driving to prevent stiffness and discomfort.

There are many models of pregnancy pillows available. Some are made of regular pillow materials, such as cotton or down, and other, more expensive models, are made of memory foam. Take your time and try out the different kinds to pick the most comfortable for you.

Until next time #GYNEGirls and #Preggos…

 Dr. Drai