As pregnancy progresses and the joy of holding your newborn baby inches ever tantalisingly closer, it’s no secret that the vast majority of women become increasingly uncomfortable as their bump grows.
In recent years, more and more mothers-to-be have turned to pregnancy pillows to make life at least a little more comfortable. As a dad-to-be, we know you will want to make your partner as comfortable as possible throughout the pregnancy, particularly in the latter stages. And a pregnancy pillow is one of the best ways to do this.
But what exactly is a pregnancy pillow and what does it do? We’ve put together this handy guide to help arm you with all the information you need to navigate the world of pregnancy pillows. We’ve also picked out 10 of the best pregnancy pillows to buy.
Table Of Contents
What is a pregnancy pillow?
While they vary in shape and size, pregnancy pillows are quite straightforward - they are pillows that women use during pregnancy. Ranging from a small wedge to a full-body U-shaped pillow, they are designed to make sleeping easier and more comfortable.
Depending on the shape, pregnancy pillows provide extra support to different parts of the body. Some smaller ones often provide support to the bump and knees, while larger, full body pillows will offer extra support to the back as well.
When is a pregnancy pillow needed?
While some women need one purely for comfort, others need one for safety. Used at night, or for that afternoon power nap, pregnancy pillows help women to sleep on their sides, which is particularly useful for front or back sleepers.
Sleeping on your front with a beach pillow isn’t exactly easy, but sleeping on your back while pregnant can, in fact, be dangerous. According to the NHS, the risk of stillbirth doubles when a woman falls asleep on her back after the 28-week mark. This is because back sleeping can place extra pressure on the inferior vena cava, a vital vein that carries blood to the baby.
If you happen to notice your partner asleep on her back in the middle of the night, don’t worry too much - the risk is far greater when falling asleep because you spend the longest in that position. If you and/or your partner are especially nervous about it, however, perhaps a gentle shake of the shoulder to wake her up and tell her she’s been sleeping on her back.
And finally, we fully acknowledge that us guys don’t need a pregnancy pillow, but… if you can pinch it while your partner isn’t using it, they’re brilliant for a nap or even a lie down on the sofa. Trust me! (Yes, I am totally speaking from experience)
Choosing a pregnancy pillow
Seeing as most pregnancy pillows do pretty much the same thing, you may be forgiven for thinking that it doesn’t matter which one you buy. But there are some things to consider before you make your purchase.
Shape
The shape of the pregnancy pillow largely determines what type of support it offers. Most on the market are either C-shaped or U-shaped, but there are some alternatives.
C-shaped pregnancy pillows typically follow the length of the back, around the neck and shoulders at one end, through the knees or legs at the other end, leaving a gap around the bump. U-shaped pregnancy pillows leave a gap at the bottom, by the feet or legs. Some products have straighter lines while others contour around the body’s natural shape.
There are also plenty of pregnancy pillows that are half-moon-shaped, usually curving from the head area (sometimes behind the neck or shoulders), around the bump and between the knees.
The shape you opt for really depends on how mum-to-be sleeps and where she feels most of her discomfort and aches and pains. Side sleepers are more likely to have free reign over their choice of pregnancy pillow because safety is less of a consideration.
Size
Pregnancy pillows range right from the full body all the way down to a small wedge. And the size and shape you go with may just depend on how willing you are to give up space in bed. Some pregnancy pillows can be quite chunky and take up a lot of space, while others are a bit more flexible.
So this is definitely something for you both to think about. Try to find a balance between the support your partner needs and minimising the impact on you. While her comfort and baby’s safety is paramount, you don’t want to completely sacrifice your own sleep and long-term wellbeing.
Material
Pregnancy pillows are usually made from cotton or polyester. Cotton is a far more breathable material than polyester, so if your partner often finds herself warm at night, cotton is a better choice for her.
Cost
Understandably, cost is always a factor for a lot of parents-to-be. There really is a huge price range when it comes to the pregnancy pillow market. You can often pick up a very basic pregnancy pillow at a supermarket or retailer for around £15/$20 (and sometimes a little less), while luxury options can reach close to the £150/$200 mark.
Our 10 favourite pregnancy pillows
Now that we’ve armed you with everything you need to know about pregnancy pillows, it’s time to show you some of our favourites.
Editor's Review
"If you want all-consuming cozy comfort pre or post-pregnancy, this pillow is an excellent choice. It’s easy one of the snuggliest pregnancy pillows you’ll find."
This option from Meiz is a highly rated oversized, u-shaped pregnancy pillow with an Amazon’s Choice badge. Available in three length options (55”, 60”, 65”) and seven colour options, there is also plenty of choice in how the pillow is shaped - it sturdy yet flexible (and comfortable) enough to be bent in all manner of positions to suit the needs of mother-to-be.
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“This review is coming from a woman with multiple joint problems including subluxing neck, shoulders, hips and spine. I have purchased every neck and support pillow, including body pillows, known to man, and have never found one that works all by itself. Being a side sleeper and using this pillow, there is no readjusting pillows whenever I turn over. The 8 pillows I used to use?...in the closet.” - Anonymous mother-to-be
Editor's Review
"PharMeDoc’s C-shape pillow is really simple but does the job very well. It’s reasonably priced, comfortable, supportive and soft."
The C-shape pregnancy pillow from PharMeDoc is one of the highest-rated and most rated pregnancy pillows you can find on Amazon with over 33,000 5* reviews, and it’s an Amazon’s Choice item. A very traditional C-shape, is offers plenty of support to the full body. The cover is made from wonderfully soft jersey cotton and seams are double stitched to reduce the risks of rips. Its flexibility makes it incredibly useful in a variety of situations and scenarios.
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“This pillow has been one of the best purchases of my life. I never sleep without it now. I find my fiance using it all the time. In his words, it is "the best sleeping product ever invented". My animals love it, too. It get [sic] some of the best sleep I have ever gotten. Pregnant or not, I think everyone should own this pillow.” - Emylie Keehner
Editor's Review
"Although it’s by far the most expensive on this list, it is definitely fantastic value for money. The toggle and adjustable firmness is really unique in the market."
The award-winning bbhugme® Pregnancy pillow sits almost alone at the luxury end of the market. It holds a sausage-like shape with loose material at each end that can be tied together to create different shapes. Plastic toggles sit at each end of the pillow, allowing you to adjust the firmness of the pillow. The filling is made from biodegradable beads that adjust to the body as its needed.
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“The cover is a great soft feel, and the contents are made of some magical substance that seems to be able to be firm or soft depending what you need. It’s great that it’s a long sausage shape as you can curl it around into a position that suits you rather than being a set shape. You just take it with you when you roll over from one side to the other which I now do automatically without thinking.” - Ali
Editor's Review
"Despite the low price tag this is good value for money, especially for short-term use."
Described as a mix of the U-shape and C-shape, this option from cauzyart sits at the lower end of the budget. With one straight end, the other follows the natural curvature of the spine and continues to curve between the legs to provide true full-body support. The outer cover is made from a soft-touch velvet and is machine washable, as is the inner cover. Naturally, the velvet material retains a lot of heat, making it ideal for cold sleepers.
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“This pillow is awesome! It’s soft, not too bulky. I typically do not care for super fluffy pillows as I’m a stomach sleeper. This has the perfect amount of softness and fluff, no matter what type of sleeper you are. It’s good for length, because it’s open at the bottom it will accommodate both the short and tall folks. Most importantly, being pregnant, I had the best night of sleep with this pillow that I’ve had in months.” - Amanda
Editor's Review
The multifunctional aspect of this pillow is really great, ensuring you can use it long after pregnancy. The designs are lovely, too!
This option from Bamibi® is a multifunctional pillow designed for use during pregnancy, nursing and early development. A half-moon shape, with a small toggle tie used to create a more circular pillow, it offers support to the neck, shoulders, bump and legs. It also comes with a separate cushion that can be used to create a nest or on its own.
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“The moment my partner unwrapped the pillow she immediately wrapped it around herself and slept for 4 hours (no joke!) in the middle of the day. She loves it, and the fact that it comes with a little pillow pad and that the pillow itself can be put into a horseshoe shape, it means the little one can snuggle on it when he/she arrives.” - Rob Langley
Editor's Review
"With over 42,000 5* reviews, this is the top selling maternity pillow in the US on Amazon. It offers all the quality, comfort and support expected from the PharMeDoc brand with the added bonus of being environmentally friendly."
An Amazon bestseller in the category, the PharMeDoc Organic is a U-shaped pregnancy pillow made from 100% organic cotton and Global Recycled Standard certified polyester filling. One side of the pillow follows the back’s natural shape, while the other features a detachable arm, offering flexibility no matter the position or activity.
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“My wife is 3 months pregnant but already starting to have problems sleeping because she was unable to get comfortable. However, after getting this pillow, she has been MUCH better and had an easier time falling asleep. She no longer uses the normal pillows to sleep and uses this one exclusively. The pillow seems to hug her body which she seems to like and it has a detachable piece that can be removed if it gets in your way. The only thing I've heard her complain about is that she wished it was overstuffed however she really loves it overall. Definitely my best pregnancy purchase as a husband so far!” - Anonymous dad-to-be
Editor's Review
"Anything that is recommended by midwives is always a great comfort to any parent-to-be, and the shape of the dreamgenii® is something that really sets it aside from the rest of the market."
The dreamgenii® Pregnancy Support and Feeding Pillow is a unique, patented shape that encourages mum-to-be to sleep on her left side, preparing baby for the optimum position for birth. Recommended by UK Midwives and boasting several awards, it provides support to the back, bump and knees while doubling as a feeding pillow after birth.
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“I always come back to this pillow for each pregnancy. I love that it’s not ridiculously huge like some of them so I’ve been able to take it on holidays and my husband can still just about sleep in the same bed with me! Also works well as a feeding cushion to support my back and rest my arm on with a heavy baby!” - Sarah
Editor's Review
"The customisable elements of the MOON PINE pregnancy pillow really make it stand out from the crowd. This makes it ideal for post-birth as a supportive birthing pillow."
The MOON PINE pregnancy pillow is particularly unique in the market, broadly following a U-shape with some interesting twists. It has two flat, unpadded sections that allow for comfortable arm and shoulder placement, and one side curves and extends beyond the other. There is also a removable back or bump support, and each section of the pillow is fully detachable meaning you can use it for different purposes.
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“I'll be honest, I had low expectations for the price and it being from China. But it was cheaper than an expensive Boppy brand maternity pillow, and it's so amazing. I love the way it hugs my body perfectly. The dips for the arms was genius design, I'm a side sleeper.” - Sarah Cee
Editor's Review
"By and large, this and the Meiz are very similar, with very little to choose between them. The AngQi is definitely better for the warm sleepers thanks to the soft, cooling jersey cover."
Similar to the Meiz, the AngQi Pregnancy Body Pillow is an oversized u-shaped pillow also boasting an Amazon’s Choice marker. Unlike the velvet Meiz, the AngQi uses a cooling, soft jersey cotton cover and a premium high-density soft cotton filling.
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“I absolutely love this pillow! I had experienced trouble sleeping in the past, but once I got this pillow it completely changed. It helps me find a comfortable sleeping position quicker, so I can fall asleep faster. Also, I recently had surgery on my arm, which made sleeping even harder. This pillow really helps alleviate the pain by giving me many options for how to position my arm.” - Sara
Editor's Review
"The design and build quality of the Koala Hugs set it aside from the competition. It looks and feels like a genuinely lovely item to have around the house."
Described as a ‘V’, this choice from Koala Babycare actually resembles more of a half-moon shape than a V, but remains quite unique on the market nonetheless. It is designed to curve from behind the neck, around the bump and through the legs at the knees. It also includes small safety ties to create a small feeding pillow post-birth or baby nest pillow.
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“What's an absolute dream this pillow is! It comes vacuum packed and initially I wasn't sure on how much it would fill out but its lovely and firm (but still soft enough to be comfortable). The length of it means you can really get it into a position to relieve any aches and pains (mostly hip pain for me) and it still supports your bump beautifully. I cant wait to use it for all of its other uses once baby is here!” - Sophie
Pregnancy pillow FAQs
Are pregnancy pillows safe?
Absolutely! Most pregnancy pillows are specifically designed to help mum-to-be sleep on her side. Unless they’re being placed in a position that actually encourages slipping to sleeping on the back, they’re totally safe.
Which pregnancy pillow shape is best?
Choosing the shape of a pregnancy pillow is totally down to personal preference. U-shape pillows typically offer more back support than C-shaped ones, but take up more space. C-shaped pregnancy pillows may offer suitable back support for some women without taking up as much space.
How do you clean a pregnancy pillow?
Most pregnancy pillows come with a removable cover that can be cleaned in a machine wash. Some have both an inner and outer cover, and usually both can be taken for a spin. Spin cycles and temperatures may vary from pillow to pillow, so it’s always best to check.
Which pregnancy pillows are best for allergies?
Plenty of modern pregnancy pillows are hypoallergenic. PharMeDoc’s entire range is hypoallergenic, as is the Meiz U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow from our list.
Which pregnancy pillows are best for back sleepers?
If mum-to-be is particularly prone to sleeping on her back, a full-body U-shaped pregnancy pillow is probably best as it provides the necessary support to prevent rolling over to the back and keeps.
Which pregnancy pillows are best for stomach sleepers?
While the vast majority of pregnancy pillows will help to keep mother-to-be sleeping comfortably on her side, some will find it incredibly difficult to get comfortable as they divert from their usual position on their stomach.
There are inflatable pillows on the market that all pregnant women to sleep on their stomachs. Picture an inflatable lounger you might find at a swimming pool, but with a hole in the middle.
Which pregnancy pillows are best for flying?
In most cases, commercial airlines will allow pregnant women to fly up to week 36 of their pregnancy, providing it has been a healthy pregnancy so far. Even if you have the budget to fly first class, space is going to be very limited. It’s likely that even the smallest of U or C-shaped pillows will be too large to pack in your hand luggage. So you may have to purchase a separate small, wedge pillow.
Which pregnancy pillows are best for sex?
While you may find that a pregnancy pillow helps to make sex more comfortable for you and your partner, they’re not designed for that purpose. If you’re looking for something specifically to make sex more comfortable during pregnancy, you’re better off checking out a specialist pillow.
