Pillows usually act as head rests while sleeping or act as back supports while sitting on a couch or chair. Maternity Body Pillows are special pillows that support the entire body and are specially designed to support a growing belly and the lower back. These pillows are necessary to take care of the special requirements of the pregnant women.

The Need for a Maternity Body Pillow

Pregnancy is a time when increased weight and changes to the body's natural rhythms can bring about a lot of discomfort. As the pregnancy progresses it becomes impossible for you to lie on your back. Doctors also recommend the left side support as the best sleeping position for expectant mothers. However, if you lie continuously on one side, you feel the weight pulling you down uncomfortably. Due to the additional pressure on your back, you will need quick relief from the strain. The usual pillow does not serve this purpose. This is the reason why the pregnant women require special pillows for the unique needs of these very special moments in their lives.

Enter the Maternity Body Pillow. It is a lifesaver! These pillows help alleviate the discomfort and medical issues a pregnant woman faces while attempting to relax or to get a good night's sleep. These days a wide range of such pillows available for different parts of the body. These pillows support the stomach and lower back, while aiding in the alignment of the hips for total comfort during these difficult days.

Types of Maternity Pillows

There are four broad categories of maternity pillows available:

The basic maternity pillow: This set of pillows consists of two pillows attached with Velcro. The middle section of the pillow is flat. This type of pillow supports both the belly and the lower back simultaneously while the mother to be sleeps comfortably between the pillows.

The wedge: This kind of pillow is wedged under the belly to provide simple support.

The full-length body pillow: These pillows are approximately five feet long and support the back, belly and knees. These are especially useful in the advanced stage of pregnancy when you require special care.

The Bean: This pillow has the design of a kidney bean so that it wraps from under the belly to between the knees for optimum support.

Depending on individual need, stage of pregnancy and level of discomfort, one can choose the type of pillow that provides maximum comfort.

The Multipurpose Pillow

Some body pillows for mothers-to-be have a unique detachable design. They have a U-shape and can function as one unit while reclining or sleeping. You can also disassemble them into three pillow parts (transitional body pillow). This makes them useful even after pregnancy is over. Such pillows allow for flexibility in moving with the mom to be while she sleeps. It has the dual purpose of cushioning the body and keeping the body in prefect alignment during all the three trimesters of pregnancy.

After pregnancy, these body pillows come in handy for nursing a baby. When used as a nursing pillow it supports the baby at the prefect height for feeding and supporting your back simultaneously.

All the Maternity Body Pillows are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. They are typically made from 100% natural cotton cover and filled with premium hypoallergenic polyfill fibers. Cleaning these pillows is very simple since they are machine washable.

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