The Best Pillows to Ease Your Pregnant Body

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It’s finally the best part of the day: bedtime. Unfortunately for you, your ever-expanding belly is preventing you from drifting off into a restful sleep. Pregnancy pillows may ease some of that pain.

“One of the most challenging aspects of pregnancy is finding a comfortable position to sleep in,” says Thomas Enyart, DO, an OB-GYN from Orlando Health Physician Associates. He tells Best Products that “lying down during pregnancy can be uncomfortable due to various physical changes that occur in a woman’s body.”

As the baby gets bigger, your belly’s shape changes, and your organs get shoved around to make room for your expanding uterus, which can be a real pain according to Enyart. Additionally, he says that “the weight of the baby puts pressure on the lower back, hips, and pelvis, leading to pain and discomfort.” (And crankiness in this editor’s opinion. No sleep and back pain turned me into a real bear at times.) Enyart adds that the hormone released during pregnancy — relaxin — that softens the ligaments and joints to prepare for birth is an additional contributing factor to all of those aches and pains.

Enter: the pregnancy pillow. “Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to support the pregnant woman’s body and provide comfort and stability,” notes Enyart. He suggests that the C-shaped and U-shaped pillows are a cradle for the body, and allow pregnant people to find a comfortable position, and that wedge-shaped pillows can be used under the belly to relieve some of the weight that drags the belly down when lying on your side.

It’s important to note that Dr. Enyart says that “the use of pregnancy pillows is generally considered safe, but pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider before using one.” And that “some pregnancy pillows may not be suitable for women with certain medical conditions or who have had complications during pregnancy.”

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What to Consider

A pillows is one of those home items that often feels needlessly complicated. There are a gajillion on the market, and choosing the right one can be a real pain. Our goal is to simplify this process for you. When you’re buying a pregnancy pillow, there are a few crucial factors that you’ll need to consider — shape, materials, washability, and, of course, price.

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You'll definitely get your money's worth from a maternity-pillow investment. You can also use them for breastfeeding and postpartum support, because the discomfort doesn't end once the baby has arrived, unfortunately.

Read on to learn more about the 10 best pregnancy pillows, and get ready to be as comfortable as possible until the baby arrives.

Best Overall

Now that sleeping on your stomach is off-limits, the Snoogle pregnancy pillow can support your head and belly, tucking between your legs for optimal comfort while snoozing on your side. The curvature of the pillow is a perfect match for the pregnant body, unlike other body pillows that don't take a moving belly into account. Plus, it's nice that one side of the pillow is open, so you can still stay connected to your partner (or labradoodle) when the sun goes down.

Our executive director Christine Anderson tested this pillow, and she loved it, saying that “the Snoogle isn’t just a body pillow. It’s a miracle pillow designed just for the nooks and crannies of your ever-changing pregnant body. It’s a dream — and will help you get more zzz’s.”

Kasia Abrams, wife of our SEO manager Sean Abrams, also gives it glowing reviews saying that “the Snoogle is the only pillow I use during my second and now third trimester. It helps me get into a comfortable position, sleeping and staying on my side with my head rested on one end of the pillow and the second end between my knees.” She does add that it’s huge and hard to travel with, but still takes it with her for quick overnight trips. Also, she suggests getting a soft cover for the pillow which will feel better against your face.

The washable, removable cover is light and durable, as well as being stain-resistant, so if you find yourself leaking a bit (from anywhere), you can just toss it in the laundry. It's filled with a polyfiber blend which keeps its bulk where you need without becoming hot or dense.

Longest-Lasting

Normally a back or stomach sleeper and having a hard time finding just the right spot? This is the pillow you want. This soft, U-shaped pregnancy pillow is the perfect cushion for any pregnant person, no matter which trimester you’re in.

You’ll love having the option of snuggling up to all-over comfort or simply hugging one leg of the pillow. The filling is super soft, yet dense, so it’ll stay fluffy and firm, even after plenty of use. You can use it for sleeping, reading, watching television, and even breastfeeding.

Our tester has used this pillow through four pregnancies (one with twins!) and she says that “I basically can’t sleep without it from the 10th week of pregnancy.” Adding that “It does a good job of heaving my belly up from the mattress, and keeping my legs far enough apart that my hips don’t feel like they’re caving in.” The cover gets softer after washing, and she suggests that you do that before you even use it for the first time.

Another owner of the pillow, a mom of three who used this all three pregnancies told me that “It hasn’t flattened out yet, and I used it through my pregnancies and during the postpartum period. My own regular pillows have to be replaced more frequently.”

Best for Travel

If you want a pillow that can go with you everywhere, the Frida Mom adjustable cool pillow is the one for you. It rolls up to a compact size, fitting right back in its original container, or into a backpack. It's a firm-support pillow with cooling layer, and a machine-washable, moisture-wicking cover made of nylon, poly, and spandex jersey that feels like butter against the skin. The fill is microbeads that keep heat away from the body, allowing for maximum circulation.

The parent who recommended the Frida Mom to me chose this because her job required her to travel for the majority of the second trimester, and she needed something she could take with her to keep her comfortable. She said that “this pillow made a huge difference in my sleep quality. Hotels aren’t made with pregnancy in mind, so the pillows are usually too fluffy for your body. Having the pregnancy pillow from Frida let me get rested for the day ahead.”

Best Knee Pillow

Every pregnant person should have a reliable, ergonomically designed leg pillow. Next time you're on the sofa binge-watching Netflix, you'll be glad you have a pillow that makes you comfy, but doesn’t take up so much space. Your body will feel more balanced and aligned when using this pillow between your knees. Plus, the memory foam in the pillow is temperature-responsive, so in the warm weather it’s softer, and in the cooler weather it’ll feel firm. I am not pregnant, but I was left with some fun hip issues from pregnancy, and I use this pillow pretty regularly after long runs to ease the pain when I lie down.

The pillow comes with a breathable and easy-to-clean cover, and you get all of your hard-earned money back from the brand if you don't love the pillow for any reason

Best Breast Support

One of the weirdest things about pregnancy for me was just how much my breasts weighed while I was pregnant. I am normally a lady with a larger chest, but suddenly I ballooned to Jessica Rabbit proportions. Those puppies left me so uncomfortable when I slept. Not only did they cause me to sweat like I was taking the SATs again, but they kept sticking to my belly. It was insulting, really.

The MomCozy is designed to help with that, and it does, according to one of our testers who found herself similarly bedecked with breasts aplenty during pregnancy. It is shaped to keep your breasts from hitting the top of your belly as you sleep, preventing them from gluing to one another in the night.

It’s filled with long silk cotton that doesn’t cause you to overheat and doesn’t get compacted, and covered in the softest, machine-washable jersey fabric. (Think of your comfiest tee shirt after years of washing.) Our tester had nothing but praise for it, but does lament that her toddler has taken it as her “reading pillow.”

Best Pregnancy Wedge

Whether you want to rest your bump on it, use it to support your back, or place it between your knees, a pregnancy wedge can relieve a lot of discomfort when it’s time to call it a night. We love this one by Boppy — it’s Amazon’s Choice, too. Best when used during your third trimester, it’s designed to support a larger bump. It’s also wonderful for when you’re seated on the sofa and need something to lean that bump against to help you lighten your pelvic load. Filled with firm foam, it really keeps its shape, which is what makes it such a great wedge.

Best C-Shaped Pillow

Say hello to a full night’s rest! We’re obsessed with this super soft, C-shaped pregnancy pillow that feels like silk against your skin. This pillow offers enhanced support by contouring to the shape of an expecting parent’s growing belly. It can be used while lying down, or the ends can be folded on top of one another for back support. If you find yourself tossing and turning when it’s time to hit the sheets, this sweet pillow will help you settle in for sleep.

The microvelvet cover is a bit on the warmer side, so we suggest that if you tend to sleep hot, that you check out the first pick in this guide instead. Thankfully, the poly fill is breathable and adjustable, so you're not getting a double dose of heat.

Best for Hot Sleepers

This memory foam-filled body pillow includes a layer of cooling gel, which is perfect for those who sleep hot or live in warmer climates. Plus, the foam in this full-size pillow contours to your body, giving your bump a snug feeling that'll be so comforting later on in your pregnancy.

It's not so large that it feels like it will overwhelm you, or take up too much of your bed's precious real estate, but it's roomy enough that if you need to spread out on it, you absolutely can. Fun fact! One user of this pillow was pregnant with quadruplets when she used this pillow, and she said it held on until the last 2 weeks of her pregnancy, but that with a little extra fill, it kept going. A resoundingly positive review if ever there was one.

Best All-in-One

There's a stage in pregnancy in which every position feels uncomfortable. Whether you're sitting or trying to lie down comfortably, you can't seem to relax. The Boppy Pregnancy Support Pillow helps to support multiple parts of your body at once. You can use it on your side for belly and back support or up by your shoulders for neck and head comfort. You'll eventually find the perfect spot so that you can finally relax. The unique comma shape provides lighter support between the knees or under the head, while the bulk of the pillow is designed to support either your belly or your back.

As a bonus, when your child is born and in the toddler stage, this pillow will become the main peg of their pillow forts. But don’t worry — the cover cleans easily, and even after much use, it’s still quite comfy when you’re pregnant with your next kid. As a bonus, the pillow itself is washable thanks to the poly filling.

Best U-Shaped Pillow

When you want to stay cool and breezy, but your thighs are chafing and your belly won't stop moving, you are going to love the cooling, full-body support that this U-shaped pillow provides.

Not only is the fabric soft and easy to wash, but it's also extremely breathable. You can manipulate this pillow in a million directions to find the perfect fit for your body's needs. The poly filling can even be removed in places, if you're looking for a custom fit. You could use the U section to apply pressure to your pounding vulva, and wrap the rest beneath your belly and breasts. Or you could rest your belly atop one side, rest your head at the connection, and push the rest under your aching back to get that sweet, sweet relief.

Best for Support

When you're pregnant and trying to find a good position while lying down, what you need is a little help on the sides: something to hold you up without holding you in. This adjustable pillow with a cotton-poly blend filling does that by offering equal support for your back and tummy. It can hug your body or elevate your legs — you choose! Stack the pillows for a boost of support or separate them and stay balanced in between the two.

Best for Pregnancy and the Fourth Trimester

If you're hunting for something truly malleable, look no further than this microbead-filled pillow from Yogibo. The pellets on the inside combined with the super-stretchy exterior fabric make this the ideal pillow for someone who likes versatility from their products.

And after the baby’s born, this pillow doubles as a back pillow, a nursing pillow, and eventually, a toddler chair. One additional benefit of this pillow is that you can buy extra filling when it starts to feel smaller or more condensed, and there are always new colors and styles of covers coming out.

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