Mothers everywhere will tell you that a good night’s sleep is one of the hardest things to do when pregnant. Sure, the gift of potential motherhood may be exciting and joyful during the first couple of months, then it’s not so fun anymore.
You’d find yourself spending a good fraction of the night twisting and turning, looking for that sweet spot. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Thanks to all things modern-day technology, we now have the pregnancy pillow.
Pregnancy pillows today are not just like your ordinary pillow. They come specially engineered to support your bump as you sleep and keep you healthy throughout your pregnancy.
We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to, and assembled for you the best pregnancy pillows out there for your comfort.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
|
Editor’s Pick
|
The PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow |
Check On Amazon |
|
Best Value
|
INSEN Pregnancy Pillow, Maternity Body Pillow |
Check On Amazon |
|
3
|
Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillows |
Check On Amazon |
|
4
|
Bedsure Pregnancy Body Pillow |
Check On Amazon |
|
5
|
Mandzixin Pregnancy Pillow |
Check On Amazon |
Best Pregnancy Pillows Reviews 2021
1. The PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow
At a glance, the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow might look like a simple overgrown pillow, but to expectant mums, it may very well be the greatest creation of modern-day science.
The pillow comes as one full-body unit that’s specially engineered to take on a c-shape. This way, the pillow is able to support not just your baby bump but also your knees, back, neck, and head.
It is constructed using adjustable polyfill material that adapts to accommodate your back and belly as you move around. This way, you can be comfortable as you read, sleep, watch T.V., or nurse.
But that is not even the best part; the pillow doubles up as a comfort pillow for everyone else who isn’t pregnant. Yes, that includes you dudes. It is also recommended for people needing support or recovering from surgery.
It can also be a good alternative for anyone who can’t stand having multiple pillows on the bed. Also included with the package is a 100% cotton canvas travel and storage bag, plus a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty, just so you know the good people of PharMeDoc mean business.
Pros
- Offers full-body coverage
- Polyfill material adjusts to your needs
- Is multipurpose
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
Cons
- Prone to ripping
- Might not over a user with a longer torso
- It might need time to puff up at first
2. INSEN Pregnancy Pillow, Maternity Body Pillow
If you are looking for a full, comfy pregnancy pillow that will handle all your little wants and needs, then look no further than the INSEN Pregnancy Body Pillow.
The jumbo-sized pillow easily eliminates any need for having all those small tiny pillows. It is like lying on a cloud. Like the other C-shaped pillow we saw earlier, the Insen offers full-body coverage, covering each part of your body, including the hips, knees, back, head, neck as well as bump.
It’s simply a game-changer, and if you are suffering from back pains or pregnancy stress, this will have you you be sleeping like the baby in your womb.
Other than its ergonomic design, the maternity pillow features high-density soft cotton, which will adapt to your back and belly as you switch positions. It is filled with long silk cotton that is durable while retaining its fluffiness.
Users claim that the pillow is one of those that are extremely soft yet firm at the same time. The pillow can be folded into multiple positions.
you want to elevate your leg or improve blood circulation and top it all off, both its inner and outer lining cases have zippers so you can easily unpack and wash it.
Pros
- Cozy and soft
- Offers full body coverage for pain relief
- Can be folded into multiple positions
Cons
- Could use a bit more stuffing
- The filling may tip over more to one side.
3. Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillows
The chilling home pregnancy pillow prides itself on having one of the best combinations of practicality and support. With this amazing unit, you get to enjoy up to 55 inches of full body pillow coverage.
While most of the pregnancy pillows on our list live well through the course of the pregnancy, the Chilling Home gets the upper hand because of its 2 in 1 U shape, which gives it flexibility.
So it cradles all the right places while allowing an easy positional change and turn over. Its inner curves also feature contours, which help align your hips for a more neutral joint positioning.
On top of that, the pillow is made using unique bionic polyethylene filling. What you get with this is an extra soft, dense pillow that has a unique ability to retain its fluffiness after use.
It is equally good for patients going through hip pain, sciatica, fibromyalgia, poor posture, or anyone recovering from injury. Also, on the pillow, you’ll find a zipper on both the outer and inner cover.
This makes it easy to take out and wash. Since it is a contour pillow, it won’t clump after repeated rounds of washing. Just throw it in a washing machine and seamlessly enjoy your months of clean comfort.
Pros
- Offers full-body coverage
- Uses durable polyethylene filling
- Good for recovering patients
- Easy to wash
Cons
- Puffiness might come uneven
- Might need time to fluff up
4. Bedsure Pregnancy Body Pillow
Sleeping on the side is one of the things you’ll have to get used to as a new mom. It’s the only practical way. Well, the Bedsure Pregnancy Body Pillow is designed to help do just that.
Using its unique H-shape, the pillow is designed specifically to support the areas around your spine, back, and abdomen. This way, it keeps you from rolling onto your back
Additionally, the design also keeps your knees, neck, and head in check, therefore relieving any fatigue from the pregnancy.
The Bedsure body pillow also comes with a separate pillow and has an adjustable Velcro belt. The Velcro belt can be adjusted into three independent parts, giving you full control over the distance between the right and left parts.
This way, you always achieve comfort through all the periods of your pregnancy. As with any reputable pillow, its cover can be easily detached, therefore allowing easy maintenance and cleaning.
Other than word of mouth, you can take comfort in the hundreds of five-star reviews on amazon by moms everywhere.
Pros
- Unique H-shape, to support the spine and limit rolling over
- Has detachable cover for easy cleaning
- Velcro belt makes it adjustable through periods
Cons
- Some users claim the cushioning material isn’t as fluffy as anticipated
5. Mandzixin Pregnancy Pillow
The Mandzixin Pregnancy Pillow can best be described as the Honda Civic of pillows; this means you get to enjoy the plushness of a high-end pregnancy pillow at a relatively affordable price.
Like you saw with the chilling home, the Mandzixin also has an ergonomically U-shaped design. What you get from this is a pillow that covers your entire body.
This makes it especially good for pregnant women and other people suffering from a variety of conditions, including back pains, leg swelling, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and hypertension syndrome. It comes with a small extra pillow, which raises it up and lowers it according to your preference.
The Mandzixin Pregnancy Pillow also prides itself with double zippers in both the pillow’s inner and outer cover. This way, you can easily adjust the filling to suit your height.
The filling also holds its own with respect to durability and firmness. Despite this, it is still relatively soft to the feel. It also adapts to your back and belly and adjusts itself when you make any movements or switch your position when watching T.V or using your laptop in bed.
The pillow is coated with excellent quality, pure satin cover that is as long-lasting as resilient. The double zippers also allow for easy cleaning and removal.
Pros
- Has ergonomic u shape for comfort
- Double zippers allow you to adjust filling easily
- Durable and firm, yet soft
- Comes with a small extra pillow
Cons
- It tends to get hot
- It takes up a lot of room in bed
How to Choose the Best Pregnancy Pillow: U-Shaped Ones Among Others Best for Stomach Support – The Ultimate Buying Guide
For any expecting mother, you are only worried about a few things; how to get through the period comfortably and healthy, a good name for your little munchkin, and of course, the nice gifts and all the fun from the baby shower.
When it comes to the comfort and healthy part, a pregnancy pillow is essential. This pillow can mean all the difference between a smooth, painless pregnancy and a stressed, eye-baggy, and moody experience.
However, you can’t just go picking the first pillow that is colored pink or blue. There are some features you should consider that will ensure that the pillow actually accommodates you and provides the relief you so desperately need. We shall go over a few of these below.
Size: Does it Matter?
Size in pregnancy pillows tends to vary a lot. You’ll find a 10-inch wedge that is not larger than an ordinary pillow, with others extending to up to 55 inches and covering the entirety of your body.
As you may expect, you stand to gain more from the larger-sized pillow as it hugs your front and back, giving you more support.
However, when looking at size, you also have to consider the size of your bed and how much room you are willing to spare exactly.
If you have a smaller-sized bed and share it with a partner, you might be better off going for a smaller-sized pillow.
Covers: For Easy Removal And Even Easier Wash!
When checking for covers, you want to look at two things, good airflow, and breathability. You can get this in a cover with natural fiber and low thread count.
Luckily, most covers out there are made of cotton or cotton blend, which gives just that. The material is also easy to wash and easily pulls onto any pillow shape.
You might experience some level of struggle when taking off and putting on covers in larger pillows. For this reason, some manufacturers construct theirs intuitively to help lessen the effort.
You want to check for long zippers, as they expose the pillow more effortlessly. Others have a fold-over flap, whereby you fold the cover back onto the pillow.
Pillow Material And Filling
Most pillows today are made using a cotton and polyfill casing. You’ll likely find this even in the standard pillows. With polyfill, you get a pretty decent level of comfort.
The polyfill is also used in filling. With this, you get to enjoy freer airflow, more flexible shaping, and easy washing. Also popular among pregnant women are microbeads or memory foam, which conform pretty well to your body’s shape
However, you’ll find a few other materials out there also commonly used. You can select one according to your own preference.
The Perfect Shape For Your Kind Of Bump!
Pregnancy pillows today come in 3 major shapes. Each supports different sections of your body, which, in turn, impacting your sleeping style differently.
U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
U-shaped pregnancy pillows fall under the category of full-body length pillows. This means that they are large enough to cover the full extent of your body (about 4 to 5 feet).
As implied by its name, the pillow takes up a U shape that contours around you as you lay in the center like a baby bird in a nest. Because of its shape, the pillow can support nearly all sections of your body, including the neck, back, hips, bump, and legs.
If you are a back sleeper, you can use this kind of pillow to prop you up. And when you start sleeping on your side during the second trimester, let it sandwich your back and front while tucking the edge in between your legs.
Often, U-shaped pillows are designed such that you can easily slip your arm under the pillow while resting your head on top and still be comfortable.
However, it is notable that this kind of pillow does take a significant amount of space. It is recommended for a bigger bed, especially if you are sharing it with a partner.
C-shaped Pregnancy Body Pillow
This is yet another large full-body pillow type; only, in this case, it takes on a C shape instead of a U. most c-shaped pillows curve around your body, thereby supporting your bump and back. Others will curve around your front but won’t get to the back.
The pillow is best for sleeping on your side. Simply rest your head on the top, then prop up your bump and back with the side. For comfort, you can tuck the bottom part of the c shape in between your legs.
These types of pillows will usually come with a removable pillowcase of sorts, filled with polyfill to allow easy washability.
Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
If you are working with a small space or only want to support a targeted area like your back or bump, then the pregnancy wedge pillow is what you need.
The good thing about this pillow is that it is much smaller and less costly than the other pillows, so you can even purchase a couple of them. Wedge pillows may not look like much, but they are designed with a firm foam, which gives in to pressure while affording support to your stomach, back, and lower back when sitting.
Using it is pretty straightforward. Just slip the pillow under your belly and position it where it best provides relief to the weight of your bump.
Alternatively, you can tuck it on our back to keep you from rolling over overnight. The pregnancy wedge pillow is perfect if you enjoy spooning with your partner and don’t need a huge body pillow coming in between. It is also convenient when traveling.
Inflatable Pregnancy Pillow
The inflatable pillow is a little less common, but it is the largest option out there. In fact, it comes close to resembling a small raft. Inflatable pillows are meant for stomach sleepers who just can’t sleep on their side. For this reason, they will have a hole in the middle where you can slide your belly bump.
In order to use it, you have first to inflate it, then position it on top of your bed like you would a second mattress. Finally, settle on top in a way that feels most comfortable.
Personal Factors To Consider When Looking For A Pregnancy Pillow
How far along in the pregnancy are you
As you might already know, with the continually increasing bump, your comfort will change drastically through the course of your pregnancy – whether you are looking to give birth to a boy or girl.
For instance, stomach sleepers might be able to sleep on their stomach during the first few months, but for obvious reasons, this just won’t be possible once the bump gets bigger.
If you fall under this category, you might need a pillow that is shaped to cradle your body and keep you from rolling back to your stomach at night.
What seasons will you go through when pregnant?
It’s no secret that pregnancy itself will make you feel hotter, and by this, we are talking about temperature, not looks, people. You see, much as you may love the feel of a full-body design, it might not exactly be appropriate for the hot season as it retains heat.
Full body pillows are also bulky and heavy. And the last thing you need in a hot pregnant summer is all that extra material around you.
Therefore, start by considering the season you are in, and then buy something that is weather-appropriate. Some pillows come with cooler covers which you can switch to when it gets hot.
What are your sleeping preferences?
There are three major types of sleepers out there. We have back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers.
As your baby grows, you will have to adjust your natural sleeping preference to accommodate your growing bump. In this case, the side sleeping position is the most comfortable and easy to rest on.
Needless to say, side sleepers won’t really have much of a struggle transitioning to the pregnancy. However, in the later stages, the weight of the baby might still cause some strain on their back.
Also, it might be difficult to place your legs in one position without experiencing discomfort.
If you fall in the other two categories, then you’ll definitely have to switch up your position. You want a pregnancy pillow that is designed to offer support and keep you propped to your side. You can get this in a C-shaped or H-shaped pregnancy pillow.
To get the most out of the experience, you can tuck the pillow’s edges between your knees, or neck which supports your spine. They also raise your upper body slightly to give relief from such things as heartburn.
You are also advised to learn more on your left side as it has been proven to increase nutrients and blood flow to your placenta.
How versatile is the pillow?
Most pillows out there are pretty versatile and can therefore be used well after pregnancy. Some can support different positions as well, so you can use them when lying down, sitting upright, or nurse your baby. Other than pregnant women, some pillows can additionally support people going through pain or injury since they support the back, spine, knees, and other delicate regions.
You might also experience some back pain and stress during pregnancy. This is due to the constant pressure applied to your soft tissues as they move to accommodate body changes. In this case, a versatile pillow that can elevate your head or upper body can help relieve some of these symptoms.
Best Pregnancy Pillows FAQs
1. How to sleep with a pregnancy pillow?
Sleeping with a pregnancy pillow really falls down to your personal preference and knowing which spots you are most comfortable with.
Ideally, you want to start by taking on a side position. then, if you are using a full-body pillow, simply wrap it around your body, one on the front and the other on the back to keep you from rolling over.
2. How to use a pregnancy pillow?
The use of a pregnancy pillow is mostly determined by the shape of the pillow. In this case, when dealing with C-shaped or U-shaped pillows, you want to lie at the center of the pillow while using the front and back of the pillow as support from rolling back. For extra comfort, you can wrap your legs around the edges of the pillow.
3. Where to buy a pregnancy pillow?
With the rising popularity of pregnancy pillows, you can get one at pretty much any baby store and shopping outlet. However, for more options, you’ll be better off checking online platforms like Amazon, which is known for its quick delivery system and reliable return policy. With this, you also get a variety of pillows, at different prices depending on your budget.
Conclusion
A pregnancy sleeping pillow is a friend to all; the mom, the daddy, and even the little one growing inside the bump. But at the end of the day, you’ll find that it doesn’t really matter what shape or size of pillow you buy, but rather, how well it delivers the comfort you want.
Remember, we are all different and therefore have different needs. What is good for one mother might be uncomfortable for the next.
Luckily for you, we have put all this into consideration when making our above recommendations, and now, with the help of our buying guide, you can manage to pick something special for yourself.
Also, take note of your natural sleep position and the signs that your body gives you regarding which regions need some extra support.