Pillows and sleeping discomfort

Runaway22 · December 2012

So, I'll be frank and say I cannot afford one of those amazing-looking pregnancy pillows -- snoogle, preggle, etc. I'd love one, and I think it'd be glorious but I have no money. (I'd also love a haircut!) Instead, I'm going to go the practical route and just buy some miscellaneous pillows that can be used later on for other things, to prop up my back and wedge under my belly, but I was hoping some of you would have some suggestions...

I have a foam mattress, so belly support isn't a huge issue right now. I could use a *little* extra support, but even a wedge would be overkill. My main problem with the belly is putting too much pressure on it when on my side. Also, I try to sleep on my side, and keep a pillow between my legs to try and encourage that. Well, I keep waking up with my hips and legs facing sideways, but my upper back twisted and laying flat. This not only hurts my back, but it makes that infamous pregnancy breathing so. much. worse.

So, maybe this is a dumb question, but what kinds/sizes of pillows would you ladies suggest to fit my needs? I was thinking a couple generic bed pillows would probably work against my back, but I really would like a little something for belly support... Any ideas?

TIA!

Eyre2 · December 2012

I got a full size body pillow for less than $10 at Wal-Mart and I love it! I use it behind me, in front of me and even under me(I still sleep best on my belly!) It is wonderful! GL and happy (future) sleeping!

sthomas1222 · December 2012

I thankfully got my hands on a preggers boppy for $10 second-hand. But typically I end up kicking it off the bed. In addition to that I have 3 old/flat king-size pillows, 2 behind me and one between my legs or wherever it ends up during the night...

brianabrad · December 2012

I use between 3 and 4 regular pillows every night. One under my head, one between my legs, one to kind of cuddle with and recently I've been spelling with one on top of my arm over it (seems to help support my shoulder or something, whatever works at this point).

Kingston54 · December 2012

I also have a cheap body pillow I got at Walmart. What I do is get in bed, try to get relatively comfortable - and then have my DH position and stuff the pillows around me in a way that feels supportive. Of course this doesn't help when I have to get up to pee, but usually I'm so tired I am out cold in a few minutes.

Mrs.AmyDylan · December 2012

A couple tricks I learned in my childbirth class for sleeping. First is do about 40 pelvic rocks in your bed (hands knees, lifting your back/butt up and down, google or think of humping your bed on all fours). It seems weird, but it gets baby off your bladder so you can sleep longer.

For pillows, one under your head, one to hug, one under your knee.

Body position. Start on your side, bottom arm behind you, bottom leg straight, top arm over the second pillow, top leg bent and on the third pillow. You will tip forward slightly so there is no need to have a pillow under your belly as it will rest comfortably on the bed. The directions seem complicated, but if you looked from above you would appear to be in a runners stride.

Good luck!!

pitterpatter129 · December 2012

I bought a snoogle with my first baby and am using it, but really, a cheap body pillow would accomplish the same thing. I'd just get one from Walmart/Target.

stardust317 · December 2012

Eyre2:
I got a full size body pillow for less than $10 at Wal-Mart and I love it! I use it behind me, in front of me and even under me(I still sleep best on my belly!) It is wonderful! GL and happy (future) sleeping!

This exactly. I bought a full size body pillow on clearance for $5 when I was about 4 months pregnant with DD. It might have been the most amazing purchase ever. I couldn't stop sleeping with it after I had DD. I've been sleeping with it for about 15 months, and I'm not sure I'll ever go back.

this decaf life · December 2012

I have a basic full sized body pillow. Like a PP said it was like 10-15 bucks which IMO is a much better option than multiple shorter pillows.

sbevmc09 · December 2012

I just have a full size body pillow that I've used for both pregnancies now. I feel like it does the job well. Maybe the more expensive pillows would be a little better, but probably not enough to justify the cost! If you want to make a little "nest" you could even do 2 body pillows (there's now way there'd be enough room for MH if I did that though Or you could just get the one body pillow and use regular pillows to support anywhere else you find it necessary.

I just lay it next to me and tuck the bottom part between my legs and use the side to support my belly a little bit.

Runaway22 · December 2012

Thanks for all the tips, ladies! I'll check out the body pillows at wally world tonight when I go for a humidifier ( SO needs to sleep, too

)

sifrose · December 2012

I have a cheap body pillow that is big enough for me to have it between my knees, a little under my belly, hugged in front of me and under my head all at the same time. Usually when I'm sleeping either my husband or my dog is behind me, so I lean on them a little bit when needed.

ELL31310 · December 2012

I have a body pillow that i use between my legs and an flattened old throw pillow that we used to have on out couch I use for my belly. I'm the same way as you and don't want/need to much support under my belly. I find that I can put just the edge of the pillow under and that works well, or if I want a little more support I just have to put a little more of it under me. Sometimes if I really don't want much support but still need some if I just barely put it under the edge of my belly and then kind of lay with it and hug the rest of it to my body (kind of wrapping it around my stomach and holding it in place with my arm laying over it) it will give me support without having a lot of it under me. I think that any pillow behind your back would probably keep you from rolling onto it while sleeping.

chesnutridge · December 2012

Eyre2:
I got a full size body pillow for less than 10 at WalMart and I love it! I use it behind me, in front of me and even under meI still sleep best on my belly! It is wonderful! GL and happy future sleeping!
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Ditto, works great!

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