Posted on 17th Nov 2011 @ 4:11 AM

Pregnancy changes everything, and not just because it produces a new addition to the family. (A cute addition, but one that refuses to get a job or help clean the bathroom.) No, as any pregnant woman will tell you, the first thing pregnancy changes is the pregnant person's body. Shape, weight, center of gravity -- everything is different than it was before. What was once ergonomic may no longer be.

On the flip side, there are a whole bunch of specific products geared toward easing pregnancy aches and pains. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Boppy Prenatal Total Body Pillow

Pregnant women are told not to sleep on their back, because it can cause heart burn. They can't sleep on their stomachs, because their tummies are in the way. And sometimes, doctors recommend that they not sleep on their right sides, because it can increase pressure on the liver and restrict blood flow to the heart. This gives them a choice of sleeping on their left side or … no, pretty much, they're stuck sleeping on their left side. Fortunately, there are body pillows like this one to make side-sleeping more comfy.

2. Soft Form Maternity Support Belt

As a friend of ours once said, "Unless you have very serious back problems, don't ever tell a pregnant woman your back hurts." This back support belt is specifically designed to make everyday activities easy on a pregnant lady's overworked lower back.

3. Pea in the Pod Maternity Sleep Bra

Here's another pregnancy product-related anecdote for you. This same friend once explained the necessity of the sleep bra thusly: "Things that were once small are now the size of the moon. No, really, the moon. I walked into the living room, and the remote control fell into the gravitational pull of my chestal region and now I have a channel changer in my bra." So, sleep bras are nice and make things more comfy. Here is one.

4. Leachco Cuddle-U Nursing Pillow

This one isn't technically a product for pregnant women, but it's an ergonomic essential for new moms. Without proper support during nursing, carpal tunnel is the least of your worries.

5. Ergonomic Chair

Ergonomic chairs might not seem like they're specifically related to pregnancy. However, pregnant women are at increased risk for carpal tunnel, tendonitis, and other repetitive stress injuries. Ergonomic chairs, as well as keyboard trays, help prevent these injuries.