Wondering what to expect when you're expecting? One major pregnancy issue for so many future mums is the struggle to get a good night's sleep. A comfortable, rested mummy-to-be is good for both you and baby – and one simple way to ease back pain and support your bump so you can get some rest is a body-supporting pregnancy pillow, whether c-shaped, u-shaped or adjustable.
What are the benefits of a pregnancy pillow?
What aren't the benefits of a pregnancy pillow?! Comfort, body, back and neck support, easing of back pain, simplifying side sleeping and even the psychological soothing nature of pregnancy pillows – it’s like being hugged all night! – make them worth the investment. And some people who aren't even pregnant like to use them for those same reasons.
Pillow expert and Kally Sleep CEO Ori Leslau outlined the general benefits of a pregnancy pillow, saying: “Pregnancy pillows offer more comfort and support than traditional pillows, keeping you as relaxed as possible ensuring your spine is positioned correctly to avoid back pain or discomfort during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. They also allow a deeper and longer sleep meaning you wake up feeling more rested and avoid frequently waking up during the night.
“Pregnancy pillows also help you postpartum if you breastfeed your baby as they can be positioned to ensure the optimal position to help your baby latch on correctly.”
At what month do you need a pregnancy pillow?
It’s never too early to start using a pregnancy pillow! Some, for example those who suffered with chronic back pain before pregnancy, start to use it from the very start. That said, generally pregnant people start using a pillow when their belly is getting big enough to make it uncomfortable to sleep and / or change positions in bed – from around Week 20 on.
"I'm a back sleeper all the way so I struggled with side sleeping from the get-go during pregnancy," says mum-of-two and HELLO! Online Senior Lifestyle Editor Katherine Robinson. "My doctor advised sleeping on the left side (a 2019 study has since shown sleeping on the back or right side up until the 30th week of pregnancy does not appear to increase the risk of stillbirth, reduced size at birth, or high blood pressure disorders of pregnancy) and I made sure to follow her advice. But as my pregnancy progressed, I woke up with sore and aching hips and back and my sleep during the night was disrupted. She suggested I try a pregnancy pillow - I only wished I'd ordered one sooner!
"I'm 5 ft 10in so went for the biggest one I could find and was actually really excited to try it, not dreading going to bed for once - and I wasn't disappointed - I got a great night's sleep for the first time in weeks! It is rather large so my husband was a bit squashed - but he had to live with it! "
She continues: "Having your hips aligned and your spine straight makes a massive difference. I have really wide shoulders too, so it made a difference having my arm elevated - in fact, I still sleep hugging a regular pillow to this day! Another thing that made a massive difference was using a mattress topper (I have one from Simba Sleep)."
According to the NHS, from 28 weeks on it may be more dangerous for your baby if you sleep on your back, and it recommends supporting your bump with pillows and putting a pillow between your knees. Pregnancy pillows simplify sleep and bump support, giving you comfort without having to fuss around with multiple pillows.
Is a U- or C- shaped pregnancy pillow better?
It really depends on what your priorities are, because C and U-shaped pregnancy pillows each have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for something more portable and compact, you’ll want to look into C-shaped pillows, while a U-shaped pregnancy pillow will offer you full body support and comfort.
C shaped pregnancy pillows, which curve around your body, are more compact and optimal for side sleeping, which is recommended from 28 weeks on at the latest.
U shaped pregnancy pillows go from head to toe along your body for full body support, are large and roomy and can be used for propping you up for side sleeping. The con for U-shaped pillows is that they can be so big that they’re not optimal for small beds or smaller spaces.
How we chose the best pregnancy pillows
While we weren't able to test all of the pregnancy pillows in our edit, we scoured the internet for the ones with top reviews and high ratings, and took these details into consideration:
- Comfort and support: We only chose pillows with sterling ratings and reviews in these categories, narrowing down the options so you don't have to.
- Brand reputation: We only include brands and retailers we trust, from John Lewis to Dreamgenii.
- Price-quality relationship: We don't think its necessary to splash the cash on a pregnancy pillow, and we know that sometimes expectant parents aren't able to. If a pillow on our list is inexpensive, it will also have great ratings from verified shoppers; and if it's expensive, it will be worth the price.
Best C shaped pregnancy pillows
Dreamgenii Pregnancy Pillow
Kolbray C-shaped pregnancy pillow
PharMeDoc Cee-Cee pregnancy pillow
Best U shaped pregnancy pillows
Kally Sleep U-shaped pregnancy pillow
For Your Little One maternity pillow
Best pregnancy pillows for back pain
If you have suffered from back problems pre-pregnancy, or are experiencing back pain as your bump grows, a good pregnancy pillow is key to help alleviate discomfort while resting or sleeping.
Leachco Snoogle
bbhugme pregnancy pillow
