Tip! For those of you that sew, you can also purchase pre-made ‘maternity panels’ to sew into your existing skirts & pants.
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Difficulty sleeping during pregnancy is a common occurrence among women. Many factors contribute to the sleeplessness and discomfort at bedtime. Histamines in the body are much higher for pregnant women. This is a result of a rise in hormones such as estrogen and prolactin in the body. Some women complain of being extremely itchy at night and the stretching of the skin around the ever-growing belly may contribute to the discomfort. Lotions such as coco butter and creams enriched in vitamin E may help remedy the itchy skin but it does not really take care of all the sleeping issues.
Because of the weight gain, which can be anywhere from 25 to 55 pounds, many women experience moderate to severe back pain. Stomach lying and back lying are out of the question and the only other position would be side lying. This can be painful on the pelvic bones, as well as the hips. Support under the belly and back by way of a maternity pillow is definitely needed to alleviate much of the problem.
Tip! When you HAVE to purchase maternity clothing, look first at garage sales, thrift shops, re-sale shops and then eBay…in that order. Your best deals will be found at garage sales, while purchasing in re-sale shops or eBay will lead you to higher priced items.
Traditional body pillows are soft and usually long like the letter ‘I’. Pregnancy is a unique time during which the belly and back both need supporting. Many of these pillows feature adjustable straps and other amenities that appeal to pregnant women. They may be scented with lavender or other herbs to help the mother-to-be relax. They also come in a wide variety of colors and fabrics.
There are plenty of different styles of maternity body pillows specifically designed for pregnancy. There are U shaped pillows, designed to support belly, back and knees. Without the unique shape of the U pillow, another pillow can be placed between the knees to mimic the support of the U. Some pregnant women feel that this particular pillow can be too large and prefer a smaller, yet supportive one.
Tip! Larger women’s sizes can be purchased much cheaper than Maternity clothing. This is a great source for T-shirts, blouses and elastic wasted pants.
If cost is an issue, there are styles that range from as low as thirty dollars and others that may cost upwards of $150. The Snoozer, for example, costs $154 and boasts it has down filling and total body support. The product also tells of its patented design, which aligns the spine and hips for ultimate comfort. The more affordable Maternity Pillow priced at around $48.89, is filled with premium hypoallergenic polyfill. It has a 100% cotton cover and the entire pillow is machine washable for easy care.
The median pillow, which is priced at $75.50, is called the Sleeping Bean Natural Kapok Body Pillow. This pillow extends to an extra long five and a half feet! This pillow is filled with a material called Kapok, which is found in the rainforest and can hold its shape better than most pillow fillings. The kapok is harvested from pods by indigenous peoples and proves to be a source of employment for them. Maternity pillows with a conscience! For the frugal and crafty expectant mother, there are even sewing patterns that can be purchased to create her very own unique looking maternity pillow out of whichever fabrics of her choosing.
Tip! If you have maternity clothing that’s out of season, you can alter the items. Long sleeves can be shortened and pants and be altered into shorts.
Whatever sleeping aids an expectant mother chooses, there is no question that sound sleep is a necessity to keep her energy up! Pregnancy pillows were created to meet just this need, and, with so many options on the market, there is surely a pillow to meet any body size or shape.
Article By Michelle O’Connor
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