Best Pregnancy Pillows To Keep You Comfortable During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. If you discovered you are carrying your bundle of joy, there are changes that you need to make, not only in your diet, but also in your lifestyle.  In your second and third trimester, especially, you get to discover all sorts of discomfort, which leave you tossing, turning, and possibly cursing your unborn baby. Well, one thing that will help ease your load is a simple pregnancy pillow.

Pregnancy pillows have been specially engineered to help ease discomfort during pregnancy. They work by providing support to your belly, as well as other focal points within your body such as hips or your back. For each body part, there is a different kind of pillow. We have those which extend to the full length of your body; others wrap around your body to help retain that side-position that doctors strongly encourage (especially if you are a back sleeper!). Others are much smaller and focus on your bump area or back. You can choose either one depending on your preference, but whichever one you pick, you can rest assured that you will be better off than you were before.

Now before you go waltzing into a store to get one, there are different types and qualities which may make your quest even more frustrating. To help you out, we have made our top selection of the best pregnancy pillows in the modern-day, bound to instantly improve your sleep experience.

Top 10 Pregnancy Pillows Of 2020 Reviewed

1. Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow

C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Leachco offers the C-shaped pregnancy pillow that’s considered the best ever for several reasons. One, the original design was made by a mom who also happened to be a registered nurse. Instead of using multiple pillows to support various parts of your ever-changing body, you can use this full-body pillow. Its shape actually contours around your natural sleeping position. You can tuck one end of the pillow between your knees to provide better spinal alignment while you hug the other end.

The sham-style cover is removable and machine-washable. However, it is hard to take off and put back on. The company does offer a zippered cover but that costs extra. There’s no question that this pillow alleviates all the discomforts of sleeping during pregnancy. Even those with injuries or post-surgery can benefit from this pillow. However, it does take a large amount of space; it’s 60 x 24.8 x 7.2 inches.

2. QUEEN ROSE Full Pregnancy Pillow

Pregnancy Pillow For Lower Back Pain

This is another U-shaped pregnancy pillow has brought comfort to many pregnant women. It is quite versatile, able to be conformed to whatever sleeping style or other purposes you have in mind (i.e. lounging, arm support, nursing). It features a zippered cover that comes in two colors: pink and blue, and grey fleece.

The pillow is medium plush, cradling your body while providing you with good pressure point relief. The filling used is Bionic Polyethylene which is soft and comfortable but doesn’t flatten over time. And if you’re not satisfied with the product, the manufacturer offers a 90-day refund or exchange guarantee that you can take advantage of. It can retain a bit of heat.

It is a lot more affordable than our number 1 and 2 picks but the quality is also a bit lower, at least for some of the pillows that were sold on Amazon. Some users have complained of the zipper on the cover breaking or the seams opening. The color choices are also not to everyone’s taste.

3. Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Total Body Support Pillow

Pregnancy Wedge Pillow

We already know how great a U-shaped pillow is for providing support and the Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Total Body Support Pillow definitely delivers on that promise. But so do our other top picks. So, what makes this one stand out? It is filled with premium synthetic down which is hypoallergenic, odorless, and dust mite resistant.

The material, called Fusion Fiber, is a polyester polymer that allows improved airflow so you won’t be sleeping hot while nesting inside the cocoon created by this pillow. In short, you get a really soft, comfortable body pillow that you can use to sleep on your side while getting back and belly support as well as a great lounging pillow for when you want to read or watch TV. When your baby is born, you can still use this pillow as your nursing pillow.

This particular body pillow is very expensive and we wish it could have come with a 100% cotton cover instead of a polyester blend. It also requires a bit of fluff from time to time which is not really a big deal except for the price you already paid. And like all U-shaped pillows we love, it takes up a lot of room on the bed.

4. Leachco Back ‘N Belly Contoured Body Pillow

U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

This U-shaped pillow provides excellent back and belly support at the same time. The pillow also aligns your hips to ensure that your joints are in their natural position. The contoured “legs” of the pillow allows you to roll over to a different position without having to wake up and adjust the pillow. You can use the reverse ends as “double” support for your head if needed. It can greatly relieve you from hip pain, joint pain, and back pain while preventing heartburn and sciatica.

The Sham-style removable cover is made out of 65% polyester and 35% cotton. If you’re worried about toxins, don’t be. This pillow is Phthalate-free, Latex-free, Lead-free, and BPA-free. And once you’ve given birth, you can use the pillow as a nursing pillow by just locking the ends of the pillow together behind your back. Take note that this pillow is big (4 1/2 feet long and 2.7 feet wide) and heavy (weighing 7 lbs) so it will take a lot of space on a queen-sized bed. Also, the cover may be removable but taking it on and off can be a pain. Some moms have reported that the pillow is warm.

5. PharMeDoc Full Body Pregnancy Pillow

Pregnancy Wedge Pillow

The company, PharMeDoc, manufactures orthopedic bed pillows so it’s no surprise that their pregnancy pillow is one of the most popular in the market. This C-shaped pillow is 62 x 30 inches and incredibly versatile.

You can use it for sleeping and lounging; it provides you with excellent pressure point alleviation at your joints, hips, and back so you sleep soundly at night, naptime, or whenever. You can even use it as a nursing pillow. The zippered cover is 100% cotton, something that all the other pregnancy pillows we’ve reviewed lack. It’s hypoallergenic and free from phthalates, lead, BPA, and lead. The pillow also comes with a Lifetime Warranty and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

The firmness rating of the pillow is medium firm. Some users find that it’s soft and comfortable while others have felt it’s too firm. Comfort is in the back of the beholder. Now, the pillow does deliver on providing excellent body contour support for most pregnant moms. But the cover leaves much to be desired. Breathable cotton is great but the material used seems to easily rip when you try adjusting the pillow to your liking.

6. Coop Home Goods – Memory Foam Body Pillow

Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillow

We love Coop Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Pillow so why wouldn’t we love its version of a pregnancy pillow? Inside the pillow, you’ll find shredded CertiPUR-US Certified foam. The pillow itself is hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. The cover is made out of 40% Viscose Rayon derived from Bamboo and 60% Polyester for cooling. And you can machine wash the entire thing – pillow and cover! The pillow measures 20″ x 54″ and, unlike our other picks, just one long pillow that you can put on your back or hug to your front while you sleep. You can even contour it around your body for overall body support.

The filling is adjustable – you can boost the fluffiness of one portion while making another portion flat to fit around your unique shape. In case you’re wondering, this memory foam pillow does not get hot so, yey. If you don’t like it, you can return this pillow within 100 days to get your money back. Because it is memory foam, there is an initial smell after you unwrap this pillow but it will go away after a night or two.

Also, it may take you a bit to learn how to fully adjust it to the way you want it. You will need to fluff it up from time to time as well. The pillow is heavy so you may find it hard to move around with you at night.

7. Boppy Pregnancy Wedge

Pregnancy Wedge Pillow

If you’re on a limited budget, babies do cost a lot, then you can opt to get this really affordable pregnancy wedge pillow. It features a very soft, removable and machine-washable jersey cover and the filling is high-density foam so this is a bit firm. This 4-inch tall pillow can help alleviate the pressure and strain on your back and hips.

It can also provide belly support and knee support. This is perfect for promoting side sleeping. You can even use it while sitting since it comfortably conforms to the natural curves on your back. It’s also great for traveling since it’s very light and compact compared to other pillows in this category.

Just keep in mind that this is very firm, maybe too firm for some people. Also, it doesn’t provide overall support since you’ll need other pillows. Some moms felt that the pillow was too thin to provide enough cradle.

8. Naomi Home Cozy Body Pillow

Pregnancy Wedge Pillow

This is a really cozy body pillow, just like what its name suggests. Unlike traditional U-shaped pregnancy pillows, this has a square-like top that mimics the regular pillow we grew up using and inner curves along the side to provide you with full-body support in any position you choose.

Aside from its really unique shape, the pillowcase that comes with it is zippered, easy to take out, and machine washable. Not only that, it is made out of 300 thread count 100% cotton. The pillow is hypoallergenic, soft, and breathable. For the price, you get a really top quality, supportive pregnancy pillow that will allow you to enjoy a good night’s sleep every night.

The only major drawback is the need to fluff it from time to time because the filling has shifted. Also, the filling around the neck area seems to be too much for some sleepers. Last, but definitely not the least, the zipper on the cover is poor quality, easily broken.

9. Meiz U-Shaped Pregnancy Body Pillow with Zipper Removable Cover

Best Pregnancy Body Pillow

What kind of sleeper are you? Whether you are a stomach sleeper, back sleeper or side sleeper, this specially shaped pillow is great for providing you with a good night’s sleep. It is designed to follow the body’s natural shape. Its length is enough for you to easily stretch out to your full body length. It promotes pain relief due to 3rd-trimester pregnancy, back pain, tossing & turning, congestion, gastric reflux, sciatica, and fibromyalgia.

So, this is not just the best pregnancy body pillow but one you can use while watching TV, nursing, reading, and sleeping. The machine-washable pillow cover is easy to maintain. It comes with two zippers so that you can adjust the filling to your height. As far as the filling is concerned, it is made from polyester material. In addition to being supportive, it also has the ability to retain fluffiness for longer use and better performance. Overall, it is 55 inches in length.

10. PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, U-Shape Full Body Pillow, and Maternity Support

Best Maternity Support Full Body Pillow

The best maternity support full body pillow is supposed to work for the back, knees, head, hips, and neck all at the same time. That is what you can expect from the PharmMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow. It is capable of easing discomfort due to gastric reflux, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and pregnancy. But that is not all that this pillow has got to offer. In fact, it is recommended for all individuals that require support or who are just recovering from surgery.

It comes with a fully detachable extension, which can be used on its own as a full body pillow. The detachment can also work together with the main pillow to provide additional belly and back support. It measures 53 by 31 by 7 inches long, wide, and high respectively. That is why it is recommended for full-body support. The manufacturers believe in this product so much that they are offering a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Choosing The Best Pregnancy Pillow – The Ultimate Buying Guide

A good night’s sleep is one of the many things you’ll miss when you’re pregnant. The various changes in your body can cause you to toss and turn at night due to acid reflux or aches and pains at different parts of your body. A pregnancy pillow is just the thing to keep you happy and refreshed every time you wake up.

Naturally, you’ll want the very best pillow for you (or your partner) but since there’s a lot of options to choose from, not to mention so many types of pregnancy pillows, you’ll definitely need some guidance on how to identify the best one for you. Below you’ll find ample information on the different types and the factors you should consider when choosing one.

What Is A Pregnancy Pillow?

These are pillows that are meant for use by pregnant women before and after giving birth. Their shape and size make them better placed to provide support to pregnant women. Doctors recommend these pillows from the fourth month of pregnancy to bring relief against the aches and pains that come at that time. Pregnancy pillows also promote better sleep by providing support to the woman’s curved body.

Types

• Pregnancy Wedge Pillow

This is the smallest type of pregnancy pillows, perfect if you don’t want it to take up too much space on the bed. You can use it to support your back or belly while sleeping on your side. You can also use it for back support while sitting. This type of pillow is the most travel-friendly. However, you only get support for one part of your body so you will need to use other pillows as well.

• Full-length Pregnancy Pillow

This type of pillow runs the entire length of a body which is why it is also known as body pillows. They come in two kinds – straight full length and flexible full length. These pillows are meant to be cuddled as you sleep on your side. They can conform to your body’s shape and are used as a single unit. However, these are not ideal for back sleepers. You also lack support at the back and will need other pillows to do that for you.

• Total Body Pregnancy Pillow

These come in two types – U-shaped and C-shaped pillows. As the name implies, these pillows wrap around your entire body so you get superior full-body support and you really don’t need anything else. Typically, a total body pillow is 5 to 6 feet in length, easily fitting most pregnant women.

These are ideal for individuals who suffer from hip and back pain because the pillow alleviates pressure placed on your joints and allows your spine to remain in its natural alignment. C-shaped pillows are perfect for side sleepers while U-shaped pillows are perfect for back sleepers. While these are the most supportive pregnancy pillows, they are usually more expensive and takes up a lot of room.

Cover

Obviously, you want a removable cover because, you know, hygiene. It’s better if the pillow itself is washable such as the Slumber Comfort-U Total Body Support Pillow so you don’t have to worry about dirt, germs, and what-not. But if it isn’t, you’ll want to make sure that the pillow you choose has a cover that is easily removed and put back on. Remember, most of these pillows have an odd shape. A zippered cover like the one used in the QUEEN ROSE Full Pregnancy Pillow makes things a heck of a lot easier.

Also, you’ll want a cover that’s breathable. Only a handful of pregnancy pillows on our list provide 100% cotton covers along with the pillow. One example is PharMeDoc Full Body Pillow. Others will allow you to buy an alternative cover but that may be an added expense you don’t need.

Are Pregnancy Pillows Different From Body Pillows?

Body pillows are designed to be oversized in order to make the body extraordinarily comfortable for a restful sleep and pain relief. They mostly mold to the shape of the body to support the back and relieve pain from pressure points.

As comfortable as they might be, they are not always suitable for pregnant women. That is why it is necessary to buy the best pregnancy pillow. The work of the pillow is to lift the stomach up to remove the burden of carrying the weight from the back.

Filling

While most pregnancy pillows have a hollow fiber polyester filling, some do use shredded memory foam such as Coop Home Goods – Memory Foam Body Pillow while others use microbeads. Cheaper versions of the Microbead pillow make use of styrofoam filling which is easily adjustable but noisy.

Size

While you may wish to get a total body pregnancy pillow, you might want to consult with your partner first. You’ll want to make sure that both of you are comfortable on the bed and your partner doesn’t end up sleeping on the couch.

Also, you might want to consider what size feels comfortable for you. Some like to be fully surrounded, swimming in a nest of pillows while others would prefer something small to help prop up a part or parts of their body.

Support

While lying in bed, which areas of your body are feeling painful or sore? Try to determine whether these aches and pains are from a lack of support in bed instead of some other issue.

You’ll want to get a pregnancy pillow that provides adequate support to the areas of your body that are hurting. For example, if your back is aching and you want something to support your growing belly as well, you would be better off choosing a U-shaped pillow such as Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow.

Conclusion

While we love pregnancy pillows even if we’re not pregnant (they’re just so comfy!!), it’s important that you keep in mind that not every pregnant woman is required to get this type of pillow. Some lucky women are able to sleep really well at night despite being pregnant.

But if you’re one of the many who are getting less sleep than required and waking up with aches and pains, this is one investment you shouldn’t miss out on.