Ah pregnancy – the aches, the pains, the intestinal gas….it’s not exactly the most comfortable nine months in a woman’s life. It hurts to sleep and it hurts to be awake! Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help alleviate the discomfort. One of these is a pregnancy pillow. Ditch your husband and invite one of these into your bed.
Why Buy a Pregnancy Pillow – Is a Pregnancy Pillow Worth It?
As mentioned above, the number one reason to buy a pregnancy pillow is because of the comfort they provide. They relieve back, hip, knee, and neck pain. They also support the belly. All of this leads to a more comfortable and productive night of sleep.
Pregnancy pillows are superior to regular pillows because they make it easier to readjust. If you need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom (and you will!) a pregnancy body pillow makes it simple (or at least simple-ish).
Not only are pregnancy pillows better for you but they’re better for your baby too. Many healthcare providers advise you to sleep on your side in your final trimester to protect the baby from suppressed circulation. A pregnancy pillow helps stabilize the body and support the back. This keeps you sleep on your side, preventing tossing and turning and flipping. Using one early on your pregnancy helps you get comfortable faster and sleep sounder. Of course, anything you do that helps facilitate much needed rest will also keep your baby safe and healthy.
So, with all that said, what are the best pregnancy pillows on the market? They include:
Best Pregnancy Pillows 2021:
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, U-Shaped
This product is u-shaped and designed to support those who are pregnant as well as those with back issues. It measures over four feet long and has a detachable extension that can be removed if it gets in your way. It comes with a removable, machine washable cover and a lifetime warranty.
Women like that this pillow helps them sleep comfortably and removes tossing, turning, and numbness in the extremities. It supports the back and hips and relieves pressure from the belly. It has “bottom arm” space where you can rest without your arm falling asleep. It’s also soft and very comfortable.
Women don’t like that the zipper is in an awkward place that invites contact between it and your body. The threading is also not of the highest quality and may begin to unravel in certain spots after some time.
Queen Rose Pregnancy Body Pillow, U-Shaped
This product is uniquely designed, with an over-sized u-shape that supports both sides of the body. It can be used to help sleep as well as nurse (and can be used to aid those with gastric reflux, fibromyalgia, and several other uncomfortable conditions). It comes with a 90-day refund policy for those who are not satisfied.
The benefits of this pillow include how it feels – it is both soft and comfortable. It supports the head, neck and back and easily cradles the body. It helps invite sleep by eliminating discomfort and tossing and turning.
The drawbacks include the size. Like many of these pillows, this one takes up a lot of room. It’s so large that couples without a king-size bed (or California King) may find it difficult to use. It could also be longer to help with the leg support for tall parents.
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, C-Shaped
This product is a c-shaped pillow designed to support back, hips, neck, knees, and head. It’s also adjustable and allows for use with other activities (like watching TV, reading and nursing). It comes with a lifetime warranty.
The perks of this product are the price and comfort level. The c-shape makes it easy to get up and use the restroom twelve times a night. And it’s not as bulky and bed-consuming as some other products.
The cons include the cover – it’s a pain to remove, wash, and put back on. The pillow also begins to get lumpy after use. This doesn’t impact the performance much, but it can make the pillow look funny.
AngQi Full Body Pregnancy Pillow, U-Shaped
This product is a u-shaped pillow designed to follow the natural shape of the body. It is multi-functional and works for sleeping, reading, watching tv, relaxing, etc. It comes with a 30-day refund for unsatisfied customers.
Moms-to-be enjoy that the price is affordable and the jersey fabric is of high quality. The pillow is breathable with a washable cover that goes off and on easily. The contours in the middle of the pillow enhance the support. The symmetry helps with the side-only sleeping.
Moms-to-be don’t enjoy that the pillow invites an awkward arm position. The pillow can also make you feel encapsulated which takes some getting used to. While it relieves hip pain and pain in other areas, extra pillows are needed to help with leg cramps.
Leachco Snoogle Pregnancy Total Body Pillow
This product is the first and original “Snoogle.” It helps support the back, neck, hips, and stomach and was designed by a nurse who’s a mom. It doesn’t invite extra body heat and it has a removable sham cover for washing.
The pros of this pillow are its comfort and ability to reduce pain. It takes pressure off the hips and back and reduces pain quickly, often within a few nights of use. It feels good and offers good support of the body.
The cons are it takes some getting used to (are you having dreams about being swallowed by a giant pillow – this could be why) and the cover is difficult to get on and off. The material isn’t all that soft and could use better airflow.
Marine Moon Pregnancy Pillow
This product is a c-shaped pillow that helps reduce pain in the lower back, hips, and legs. It is made of hypoallergenic materials. It’s longer than most pillows, and comes with a 30-day guarantee.
The good about this pillow is that it’s very cozy and akin to sleeping on a cloud. It’s versatile and can be used for all sorts of things (sleeping, reading, watching TV, nursing, etc). You can also remove the filling as needed (or add more) and take off the cover for washing. It allows for a good night’s sleep on either side of your body.
The bad about this pillow is that it’s not mobile (not easily, anyway) and is difficult to lug from place to place. If you spill something on the actual pillow, it won’t fit into your washing machine.
Restorology Full Body Pregnancy Pillow, C-Shaped
This product is designed to support the head, back and belly by following the natural flow of the body. It’s easy to clean with an easy-to-remove zippered cover and comes with a 30-day guarantee.
The positives of this product are its level of comfort – its described as “so comfortable.” It supports the body well and is particularly ideal for those with back pain (whether you’re pregnant or not). It’s also versatile and can be used for many activities (sleeping, reading, watching TV, nursing, etc).
The negatives of this product are that it – like so many of these pillows – takes up a lot of space. Some users find that it’s overly padded, which can be uncomfortable for the neck.
Pillow Capital Full Body Pregnancy Pillow, U-Shaped
This product offers full body support and an adjustable fill level. It is double stitched for durability. It offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
The perks of this pillow are that it is of excellent quality and covered in cotton (rather than a thin mesh). It’s plush but not too full and the cover is easy to take on and off. You can also move your legs easily when using it.
The pet-peeves of this pillow are that it might not work if you’re much taller than average or much shorter than average. It might not be firm enough for some people and the cover can be rough and itchy.
Even with gadgets, gizmos, and personal products, pregnancy will never be basking in comfort. But a pregnancy pillow helps keep you well-rested, able to conquer each day and reminding yourself that at least you’re only pregnant for nine months. It could be worse. Our gestation periods could last as long as elephants.