Useful information on choosing a maternity pillow for comfortable sleep.Discuss maternity pillows on our forums, right now! Or, post a comment below.Many women find it difficult to get comfortable in bed during pregnancy and while lying on your left hand side with your knees slightly bent is the sleep position currently recommended by health care professionals (as it facilitates circulation, digestion and waste expulsion by the body) it can take some getting used to, especially if you usually sleep on your front or back or are in the latter stages of pregnancy. While regular pillows can be used to support your body, maternity pillows are specifically designed to relieve nighttime discomfort. They are shaped so as to relieve pressure on the hips, back and joints and to support your growing bump. The most basic maternity pillows tend to be in the form of wedges that you place under your bump or between your knees. Maternity wedges help to align your hips and back into a comfortable position and are probably the most economical option. Body pillows range from tube shaped ones that you 'hug' so that your top leg and bump are supported, to more 'specialist' ones designed to soothe specific ailments. The more eccentrically shaped ones tend to be specifically designed to fit the contours of the pregnant body and so relieve pressure in your back, hips, neck and shoulders. Whole body pillows are also readily available; these tend to be made from memory foam so as to provide support for your whole body whilst you are lying on them. When choosing a maternity pillow you should look for one that provides specific support for the areas in which you suffer the most sleep-preventing discomfort. Additionally, it is a good idea to get one that appears fairly durable and has a removable, washable cover as maternity pillows are fantastic to use as nursing pillows when your baby is born. Although maternity pillows can be relatively expensive compared to what you would expect to pay for a regular household pillow, if you are having trouble sleeping they can be a worthwhile investment and can always be used again. | 
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