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Published on August 19, 2007

That's because the body is working to protect and nurture the growing baby and it's a good time to rest up, as later in the pregnancy it becomes harder to get enough deep and uninterrupted sleep.

Some women find breathing more difficult because the foetus takes up more space, making it harder to find a comfortable position in which to lie. Many report dreams that are more vivid than usual while some may experience nightmares.

If you habitually sleep on your back or your stomach, try to get into the habit of sleeping on your side early in your pregnancy. Lying on your side with your knees bent is one of the most comfortable positions as the pregnancy progresses, as it helps your heart to pump more blood to the uterus and keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large vein - the inferior vena cava - that carries blood back to the heart from the feet and legs.

Expectant mum, Jitra Pojanakorn, has trouble lying on her side.

"I keeping waking up," she complains. "Most of the time, it's because I pushed away the bolster or small pillow from under my abdomen and I can't kept comfortable without it."

Jitra would do well to invest in Parker & Morgan's new pregnancy pillow, which is specially designed to support a pregnant woman's growing belly and lower back. The pillow features two identical cushions that can used either together or separately. With Velcro strips on the pillows and an accompanying joining strip, they cannot be pushed away while sleeping.

With the narrow edge of the cushion placed under the body, the pillow helps alleviate aches and pains.

"Or you can lie lengthways on the joined pillows with the high ends of the cushions at opposite ends and the low ends meeting in the middle. That raises the head and feet a little and helps circulation," says David Robinson, Parker & Morgan's CEO.

The pregnancy pillows are available in two sizes and cost Bt995 and Bt 1,895.

The new range of products from Parker and Morgan also includes a breastfeeding pillow, which has an ergonomic curve that fits snugly with the mother's body.

Stress can also interfere with sleep, as women worry about the baby's health or feel nervous about the delivery itself.

Because many new mums have no idea about what to expect, attending prenatal classes is a good idea, says Karen Spencer-Harty of Samitivej Group Hospitals.

With experience in pregnancy counselling in cultures as diverse as Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, Spencer-Harry adds: "We all need reassurance, to be listened to and have choices." Back pain during pregnancy should not be viewed as normal, says Chirapan Vinaikulpong of the Samitivej Hospital's Rehabilitation Centre.  Physically fit mothers-to-be who regularly exercise are unlikely to have back pain, she adds, although mums who works during the day may suffer from muscle tensions around shoulders and back due to the wrong sitting posture.

"The tensions can be released by a hot pack or a massage at the shoulders and upper back. That will help ease the pain in the lower back caused by the increased weight of the belly," says Chirapan.

Back pain is usually a pre-existing condition and she advises pregnant mums to consult their doctors rather than knocking back any painkillers.

Aree Chaisatien

The Nation