Helpful Sleep Accessories for Pregnant Women

Learning how to sleep with a big bump on your belly can be quite an adjustment, and all of the bodily changes and raging hormones that come with pregnancy certainly don’t help either. Even in the early trimesters of your pregnancy, you’ve probably noticed yourself urinating more frequently throughout the night, or feeling stuffy even though you’re not sick. You’re not alone, and there are a ton of helpful sleep accessories on the market that make it easy to get restful sleep during this temporary period so quality of rest doesn’t have to be a thing of the past. 
 
1.) Pregnancy Pillow
There are different types of pillows to accommodate you throughout different stages of your pregnancy, since you’ll likely need a different pillow for your third trimester than the one you had during your first. 

  • Wedge Pillow - A wedge pillow is smaller compared to the others, and it allows you to sleep with your torso or belly propped up for pressure relief. 

  • C-Shape Pillow - Pregnancy pillows in a “C” shape are great for supporting the neck, head, back, and relieving tension in the pelvic region. It also helps for water retention in the legs and ankles. 

  • J-Shape Pillow - This pillow resembles a candy cane and provides support to your head, neck, and back. This comes in handy when you like to cuddle with your significant other, or if you sleep on a mattress smaller than a queen size. 

  • U-Shape Pillow - The U-shape pillow is usually the largest pregnancy pillow from the rest, and naturally, the most expensive. It does, however, support your entire body from your head, neck, and back to your stomach, knees, and ankles. 

2.) An Accommodating Mattress
If you own a firm mattress or you’ve had the same bed since 2010, you might want to consider purchasing a new one. The American Pregnancy Association recommends pregnant women sleep on their side, to allow a better flow of nutrients to their placenta. If you prefer a firm mattress, you can buy a flippable mattress that is firm on one side and soft on the other, giving you the ability to switch over to the firm side once you give birth. For some women, it may be beneficial to look into a cooling mattress that’ll help cool you down during the night, since pregnancy and even postpartum can cause you to feel warmer when you sleep.
 
3.) Nasal Strips
Pregnancy hormones can cause women to feel congested at night, and nasal strips are able to provide some relief and can even help prevent snoring by opening up your sinuses and airways. It’s also a good alternative to prescription or over-the-counter drugs since many doctors encourage soon-to-be-moms to stay away from cold medicine. 
 
4.) Maternity Pajamas
You likely already feel uncomfortable when you sleep, or lay down, or walk around for that matter, and you don’t want your pajamas to contribute to your discomfort. There are maternity pajamas specifically designed for pregnant women during pregnancy and even afterwards, like comfy button-down shirts that come in handy when you start to breastfeed. 
 
5.) Slippers
One of the more bothersome side effects of pregnancy are swollen ankles and feet from the constantly growing uterus and excess fluid in your body. Make sure you have a comfy pair of slippers on hand that you can put on right when you wake up, and wear after work or before you go to bed. 
 
6.) Sleep Mask
If you aren’t getting your recommended 7-9 hours a night of sleep due to pregnancy symptoms, try using a sleep mask so you can take well-deserved naps during the day or block the early morning light so you’re able to sleep in past sunrise. Our bodies rely heavily on light and darkness to regulate our body’s internal alarm clock or circadian rhythm, and using a sleep mask can give your body the illusion it’s dark outside, giving it the signal to enter or remain in sleep mode. 
 
7.) Essential Oils
There are certain essential oils you should stay away from during the 9-month term of your pregnancy, but lavender and chamomile are two green-lighted oils you can use to help you fall asleep at night, and feel relaxed when you’re anxious or stressed out. As a pro tip, lightly spray lavender, chamomile, or a mixture of both on your pillows and sheets so you’re greeted by the smell when you get into bed.


About the author:
 
McKenzie Dillon is a blogger and sleep enthusiast for The Slumber Yard, a reviews site that focuses on bedding products. In her free time, McKenzie likes attending concerts, reading fiction novels and practicing yoga.