When I found out I was pregnant, shopping for one of the best pregnancy pillows was my first port of call. As well as stocking up on maternity knickers, maternity leggings and pregnancy skincare, a trusty pregnancy pillow can be a game-changer during the nine months you're carrying your baby.
Pregnancy pillows are ergonomic supports that are designed to tackle the common aches and pains women experience in pregnancy. They can also aid sleep by helping you get into a more comfortable position during a time when sleeping on your tummy is too uncomfortable and sleeping on your back can be dangerous. But if you're anything like me, you'll live cocooned in your pregnancy pillow (and so will your husband and family pets) and use it far beyond the nine months you're carrying your baby. That's why it's worth researching and investing in the right one for you.
As Dr Hilde Tavares, co-founder of bbhugme, explains: "A pregnancy pillow will make it easier for you to position your body into comfortable positions for better rest, pain relief and sleep. During pregnancy your body will change quite a bit, but in different places at different times. One week it may be the lower back that's achy and the next it's your pelvis, so the best pregnancy pillow to have is one that can adapt and change into various shapes, forms and levels of firmness.
“Overall a good pregnancy pillow will give you improved sleep, reduced pain and discomfort, better alignment and a better sense of wellbeing in your pregnancy.”
There are a lot of pregnancy pillows on the market and with V-shape, C-shape, U-shape and body pillows to rifle through, how are you supposed to know what type of pregnancy pillow is going to be the one for you? Firstly, you should consider what exactly you'll be using yours for. Some people use them to stop themselves rolling onto their backs during the night (NHS research has shown that in the third trimester, going to sleep on your back increases your risk of stillbirth), others use them to reduce back ache and some people become so obsessed with their pregnancy pillow, that they continue using it post-partum to help them stay comfortable whilst feeding baby.
What are the benefits of using a pregnancy pillows? | Which is better U-shaped or C-shaped pregnancy pillow? | When should I start using a pregnancy pillows? | Does a pregnancy pillow help with back pain?
Meet the experts:
- Dr Hilde Tavares, co-founder of bbhugme
- Illiyin Morrison aka Mixingupmotherhood, midwife and birth trauma expert at The Baby Show
- Baby and Parenting Expert, Rachel FitzD
Best pregnancy pillows at a glance:
- Best pregnancy pillow overall: Dreamgenii Maternity and Nursing Pillow, £45.89, John Lewis & Partners
- Best pregnancy pillow for back pain: Pharmedoc Organic Pregnancy Pillow, £47.59, Amazon
- Best full body pregnancy pillow: Kally Sleep Body Support Pillow, £47.99, Kally Sleep
- Best multi-purpose pregnancy pillow: Pregnancy & Nursing Pillow Soft Grey, £45, Mamas & Papas
- Best pregnancy pillow for stomach sleepers: bbhugme Pregnancy Pillow, £130.05, John Lewis & Partners
How we tested:
Disclaimer: I love my sleep, so putting the best pregnancy pillows on the market through their paces was a challenge I relished. I selected a wide range of pregnancy pillows at differing price points and tested them both day and night. I've tested them for comfort, support, innovation and longevity beyond pregnancy when breastfeeding (because you'll spend a lot of time in a specific feeding position on your bed or sofa, so comfort is key). Friends of mine who've had C-sections relied on their pregnancy pillows for getting comfortable post-partum, so I grilled them for their favourites.
Ahead, the best pregnancy pillows to add to your checkout.
- Size: 43.2 x 35.6 x 35.6 cm
- Weight: 1kg
- Material: Cotton
- Best for? Getting baby into the right position for labour by sleeping on your left side and stopping you from rolling onto your back in the night
Why we love it: If you struggle with side sleeping during the night (thanks, baby bump!) and your husband is tiring of rolling you over at 2am (hi, husband!), the Dreamgenii pregnancy pillow will offer extra support. Not only does it prevent you from rolling onto your back whilst you are asleep, it also encourages maximum blood flow to mother and baby in the night and encourages baby to adopt the optimum position for a natural birth. Handy.
Pros: Good for side sleepers with a growing bump (ideally from the left hand side) and doesn’t take up much space.
Cons: It doesn't have as much stuffing as some of the other pillows on the market so isn't as sturdy.
Customers are saying: It helps back sleepers to adjust to sleeping on their sides.
Save money on maternity pillows to help you get into an ideal sleeping position ahead of your labour with these John Lewis discount codes.
- Size: 45.1cm x 32.9cm x 17.1cm
- Weight: 3.13 kg
- Material: 100% Organic cotton with a recycled polyester filling
- Best for? Those suffering with bad aches and pains during pregnancy. It supports your back, hips, knees, neck, and head to help relieve pain and discomfort associated with pregnancy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and that lovely acid reflux you often experience in pregnancy.
Why we love it: This U-shape pregnancy pillow from Pharmedoc is ideal for sensitive skin thansk to its organic cotton material. It also offers ergonomic support from your neck all the way down to your knees, making it ideal for those struggling with pregnancy aches and pains.
Pros: Suitable for use with sciatica and acid reflux during pregnancy, too.
Cons: Not washable.
Customers are saying: Suitable for multiple height users and great for mums post-op when mobility can be limited. With over 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Pharmedoc Organic Pregnancy Pillow is definitely one of the most popular pregnancy pillows among mums-to-be and features everything from organic cotton to a full U-shape head-to-ankle support system. No surprise it's so popular really, is it?
Save money on full-body support pillows on Amazon with these discount codes.
- Size: 19cm x 19cm x 143cm
- Weight: 1.12 kg
- Material: Outer - 100% cotton, Cushion Pad Outer - 100% cotton, Filling - 100% polyester fibres
- Best for? Resting on the sofa and using post-partum for bottle or breastfeeding
Why we love it: Narrower than some bolster pregnancy pillows and your regular pillow, the Mamas & Papas pregnancy and nursing pillow is slim enough to wrap your arms around for a cuddle while still providing plenty of support. The best c-shaped pillow we’ve found.
Pros: Provides five-point support from the bump downwards and includes a removable cover/zip-up bag to prevent your pillow from getting grubby when travelling.
Cons: No free delivery.
Customers are saying: That it isn't the most comfortable pillow for sleeping; some customers found it to be quite hard so if you prefer a softer pillow, this is best kept for use whilst relaxing in the day.
Save money on multi-use pregnancy pillows with these Mamas & Papas discount codes.
- Size: 20cm x 34cm x 150cm
- Weight: 2.1kg
- Material: 95% cotton and 5% spandex jersey fabric with BioFoam filling
- Best for? Full body foam pillow to support you from the start of your pregnancy right through to post-partum. I used this to get comfortable in the early days of breastfeeding because it wasn't too clumpy and was much more breathable than others I tried.
Why we love it: This is one of the most popular pregnancy pillows on the market (you've probably noticed a lot of celebrities and influencers using it on social media). So what's all the fuss about? It was developed by three Norwegian female chiropractors specifically to help pregnant women sleep better (thank you!). It does this by supporting the stomach, pelvis, lower back and legs and whilst it's an investment, I can attest it will last you long beyond your pregnancy.
Pros: It's super versatile, meaning it can be used as a long pillow but equally, it works well when moved into a U-shape for sitting up in bed, too.
Cons: Inner pillow cannot be cleaned.
Customers are saying: It can even be used if you’re a front sleeper during pregnancy, which was a God-send for me.
Save money on U-shaped pregnancy pillows with these John Lewis discount codes.
- Size: 45cm x 43 cm x 15cm
- Weight: 1.8kg
- Material : Polyester fibre inner material and 100% cotton cover
- Best for? Getting your money's worth. It offers a variety of clever positions and is also ideal for popping baby down in when your arms need a break.
Why we love it: We love the clever design of this pillow. Not only can you use it as a full-body pillow for sleeping but thank to a hook-and-eye design, it can be used as a great back support and breastfeeding cushion. The pillow is also advertised as a baby nest, which means you can pop your baby down on it when your arms need a rest (but obviously never leave them unattended or allow them to fall asleep).
Pros: It's great value and will last you long beyond your pregnancy.
Cons: The material isn't the best quality and goes bobbly after a few washes.
Customers are saying: How great it is for people who wriggle around a lot in their sleep. Some customers found it a little tricky to use though.
- Size 43cm x 116cm
- Weight : 1.47kg
- Material: 100% polyester mesh with 100% cotton cover
- Best for? Keeping cool whilst sleeping or feeding. Your body temperature rises ten-fold during pregnancy and post-partum night sweats are no joke, which is why this pillow made from 3D spacer mesh and silky soft interlock jersey cotton is super breathable.
Why we love it: The Purflow Breathe Pregnancy Pillow is a great all-rounder. The brand pride this as ‘the next step up from a traditional pregnancy pillow’. Why? Because rather than a traditional sausage-shaped construction, this one features a central 3D spacer mesh panel that follows the natural shape of an expectant mum. The top and bottom of the pillow are curved to support the head, hips, knees and ankles in all the right places. As we already mentioned, it's really breathable too, which is ideal for breastfeeding after birth (especially in the summer).
Pros: It's ideal as a back support cushion during pregnancy or after birth because the pillow's design follows the natural contours of your back.
Cons: Not many at all - this pillow has only 5 and 4 star reviews on Amazon.
Customers are saying: How effective it is at aiding back and pelvic pain thanks to its ergonomic design.
- Size: 50.8cm x 40.6cm x 14cm
- Weight: 1.27 kg
- Material: Cotton blend. Zippered and removable cotton (washing machine-friendly) cover and a hypoallergenic fibre fill.
- Best for? Post-pregnancy support pillow for baby's tummy time/nursing
Why we love it: This is one to invest in for post-partum. A bestseller in the US and on Amazon in the UK, the Boppy Positioner pillow brings baby higher up while you're feeding so you needn't crane your neck to check-in on them during feeding. Neck support, arm support and baby support all bundled into one.
Pros: Suitable for babies up until nine months plus, there are lots of reviews on Amazon detailing how you can get the most value for money out of the pillow once you're not-so-new parents, including as a reading bolster in bed and even for a comfy arm prop for some buyers post surgery.
Cons: Not quite big enough to double up as a side sleeper bump support pillow and mainly targetted at post-partum.
Customers are saying: Helps significantly with back pain while feeding and is the perfect firm-comfy middle ground.
Save money on V-shaped pillows, nursing pillows and post-partum baby gear with these Amazon discount codes.
- Size: 45.72cm x 35.56cm x 35.56cm
- Weight: 2.18 kg
- Material: Polyester Cotton, Polyester and Polyester Fibre
- Best for? Providing unrivalled support from your neck down to your belly; it also has lovely breathable fabric to stop you from overheating during your pregnancy.
Why we love it: Developed in the US by the equivalent of an NHS registered nurse across the pond, the Leachco C-shape Snoogle pregnancy pillow puts the lower back, belly and everything below into a neutral position to relieve any aches and pains and, lucky for us, it’s available in the UK through Amazon.
Pros: The removable cover is suitable for tumble drying.
Cons: Doesn’t really allow the user to move throughout the night, but this is to help put baby in their ideal labour position.
Customers are saying: Great for back support and use after the baby arrives, too.
Save money on your best pregnancy pillow order with these Amazon discount codes.
- Size: 17 x 55 x 38 cm
- Weight: 1.69 kg
- Material: Cotton
- Best for? Extra long full body support for wriggly sleepers to get comfy during pregnancy.
Why we love it: This pillow is extra large and extra comfy to give tired soon-to-be mammas the most comfortable night's sleep. It can be wrapped around you to support your body and bump or placed between your legs to support your leg and hip alignment.
Pros: Includes a cotton cover that’s also a machine washable cover so you can keep it clean for you and baby.
Cons: The pillow is over 1.5 metres in length so isn’t ideal for use in a double bed for couples, nor for travelling with.
Customers are saying: It’s great for growing bellies from the first trimester onwards.
Save money on full body pregnancy pillows with these Argos discount codes.
What are the benefits of using a pregnancy pillows?
A pregnancy pillow will make it easier for you to position your body into comfortable positions for better rest, pain relief and sleep.
As Dr Hilde Tavares, co-founder, bbhugme, explains: “During pregnancy your body will change quite a bit, but in different places at different times. One week it may be the lower back that's achy and the next it's your pelvis, so the best pregnancy pillow to have is one that can adapt and change into various shapes, forms and levels of firmness.”
Using a pregnancy pillow can provide a variety of benefits for pregnant women, including:
- Improved sleep: Many are designed to provide support and comfort in all the right places, which can help pregnant women get more restful and comfortable sleep.
- Reduced pain and discomfort: Pregnancy can be tough on the body, with common complaints including back pain, hip pain, etc. A pregnancy pillow can help to alleviate these symptoms by providing targeted support where it's needed most and relieve tension within the body.
- Better alignment: A full-length pregnancy pillow can help to keep the spine in a more aligned position, which can reduce strains and improve overall comfort.
- Well-being: A pregnancy pillow which can be adjusted to your liking: firm or soft, will help you improve sleep, and you will feel more rested throughout each stage of your pregnancy.
Which is better, U-shaped or C-shaped pregnancy pillow?
“The most important feature of a pregnancy pillow that will help you is not what original shape it has, but rather how adaptable it is,” explains Dr Tavares. “If it's adjustable in length, shape and firmness, you're on to something good.”
Both U-shaped and C-shaped pregnancy pillows can be effective, depending on your individual needs and preferences. In short, a U shape pregnancy pillow is a top pick for women who liked to sleep on their backs pre-pregnancy and for mums-to-be in need of extra lower back support. The downside, however, is that they take up a lot of bed real estate and aren't as good a choice for wriggly sleepers.
By comparison, C-shaped pregnancy pillows are better for plus-sized women and mums looking to use their pillow post-partum as a nursing prop.
In terms of what support U and C shape pregnancy pillows provide, the former will support everything from your neck down to your ankles while the latter stops slightly higher up the body, providing relief no further down than the knees.
As Illiyin Morrison aka Mixingupmotherhood, midwife and birth trauma expert at The Baby Show which takes place at the NEC in Birmingham, adds: “This really comes down to preference but with the C-shaped pillow you often won’t get the support that you need across your whole body whereas the U shaped pillows, as much as they might kick your other half out of bed, they will help in a better way. The problem is, they’re quite cumbersome so for some people they can be quite irritating. A C-shaped pillow is smaller, easier to put away and can easily be adapted for breastfeeding or bottle feeding later.”
When should I start using a pregnancy pillow?
It's generally recommended to start using a pregnancy pillow as soon as possible, before you begin to feel uncomfortable or experience pain while sleeping. As Baby and Parenting Expert, Rachel FitzD, who will be speaking at The Baby Show at the NEC Birmingham, says: “You can use a pregnancy pillow from as early in your pregnancy as you like. Those with more flexible joints might even start to ache and get pelvic girdle pain in the first trimester. For most women though, sometime from around 20 weeks, as the tummy starts to get heavier and ‘pull’, the pregnancy pillow starts to come into its own. Use it for as many months during pregnancy as you need to and right on into your parenting journey - for many women their ‘pregnancy’ pillow simply becomes their ‘always’ pillow. Just take care if you use it postnatally and choose to bring your baby into bed for night feeds or for safe co-sleeping that your pregnancy pillow is either swapped out for a regular one or is used in such a formation as to keep it well away from baby."
Does a pregnancy pillow help with back pain?
Whether you're in pain or not, a pregnancy pillow will help make you more comfortable and able to rest and relax. Proper alignment or 5-point support during rest/sleep may also aid your back and body in the healing process.
After more sleep content? Head this way for the best mattresses, over here for the best pocket sprung mattresses and this way for the best memory foam mattresses. We've also got the best pillows for side sleepers, the best bed sheets and the best duvets. For mums, check out our round ups of the best baby changing bags, the best maternity leggings and the best maternity nightwear. Happy browsing!
