8 of the Best Pregnancy Pillows for a Good Night’s Sleep, According to Real Moms

Between the heartburn, trips to the bathroom and constant worrying (over the car seat, daycare costs, not sleeping—take your pick), getting a decent night’s shut-eye is the ultimate in pregnancy unicorns. But one thing that might help? A pillow designed to support your growing body. From U- or C-shaped pillows to wedges, they all support in slightly different ways depending on your needs. "When choosing a pregnancy pillow, consider its shape, size, filling material, support and alignment, removable and washable cover, adjustability, hypoallergenic and safe materials and durability," says Dr. Shelby Harris, sleep expert. (A couple top brands Dr. Harris likes include PharmMeDoc and Leachco.) While all pregnancy pillows are meant to offer support and comfort to the person using it, if you're pregnant, you know even the slightest discomfort will have you wanting to throw it across the room, so buying one that matches your needs is a must.

Here, eight of the best pregnancy pillows to help you sleep like a baby (while making a baby).

Dr. Shelby Harris is the Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis and Clinical Associate Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and specializes in behavioral sleep medicine.

• Size: Pregnancy pillows come in a range of sizes, from unobtrusive wedges to giant U-shaped pillows that envelop you in a warm hug. So, if you share the bed, you might want to loop in your sleeping partner on this one, since they may end up losing some of that valuable bed space. (Or don’t—you’re the one making a baby, after all.)
• Shape: Every woman experiences pregnancy differently, including where they feel those aches and pains. So it makes sense to keep your own body in mind when it comes to choosing the right pregnancy pillow for you. For example, if your neck hurts, then a pillow that can be tucked underneath your head may offer some relief. Or if you’re desperate to take some weight off your bump, then a pillow that cradles your belly might help. Other pregnancy pillows can be wedged between your knees or offer support for your back. And keep in mind that if you tend to flip-flop while you sleep, then you might want to pick a U-shaped pillow so you won’t have to readjust every time you get up to use the bathroom (i.e., every other hour).
• Material: Some pillows are made with cotton covers (ideal for those who tend to get hot at night), while others are polyester. One more thing to keep in mind: The best pregnancy pillows are the ones that can be washed—in case you get sweaty at night or, you know, accidentally spill some ice cream while you’re watching Netflix.

We've had a number of pregnant people here at PureWow, and we put them to use, testing pillows! They considered the quality of the material and construction of the pillow, the shape and how it supported us and the size of it and how it worked in our existing sleep routine. Keep in mind that Dr. Shelby Harris recommends you look into the features of pillows that meet your needs, from alignment to size to how easy it is to wash the pillowcase it comes in.

The main purpose of a pregnancy pillow is to support your body through the duration of your nine (read: ten) month journey. This means, you should think about how your body is feeling as you sleep to refine your search for the kind of support you need. Do you toss and turn from side to side? A U-shaped pillow may be a great option for you. Does your lower back need an extra lift to account for the weight of your belly? Maybe go for a wedge. "To optimize your sleep with a pregnancy pillow, try different positions and configurations to find the most comfortable one. Use the pillow to support your growing belly, align your hips, and provide extra support to your back if needed," advises Dr. Harris. If sleeping in general is tough for you, after you pick your favorite pillow, look into some other ways to help you get some shut eye. "Combine [the pregnancy pillow's] use with relaxation techniques to enhance your sleep," Dr. Harris says.

Most moms-to-be will tell you that getting a decent night’s sleep while pregnant is no easy feat, but some extra support can be very helpful.

That’s because doctors advise pregnant women to sleep on their side during the later stages of pregnancy. And if you’re used to sleeping on your back or stomach, then a strategically placed pillow can help you stay on your side (although after a certain point, you’ll likely find your old go-to positions are too uncomfortable anyway). A pillow can also provide extra support for your hips, knees and ankles—areas that can feel strained during pregnancy both from extra weight as well as hormone changes.

But there’s no need to purchase a special pregnancy pillow if you don’t want to. In fact, one of our recs is a regular pillow that you can wedge between your knees or under your belly. The main perk of a pregnancy pillow is that it’s ultra convenient since it can simultaneously support different areas of the body, so you won’t have to rearrange multiple pillows throughout the night.

Like a lot of advice here, this is truly preferential. Each design is made to offer support differently, so a U-shaped pillow may not be your best friend's favorite, while you swear by it. "U-shaped pillows provide support for the whole body and are great for side sleepers who want complete support," mentions Dr. Harris. C-shaped pillows don't have the full body support like U ones, so if you find yourself wanting more belly support, a C-shaped one may be a great fit. "C-shaped pillows offer support for the back and belly and can be used in different positions," says Dr. Harris.

According to Dr. Harris, the second trimester typically marks the start of when you should start using a pregnancy pillow. "The ideal time to start using a pregnancy pillow varies from person to person, but it's generally recommended to begin using one during the second trimester. This is because, as your pregnancy progresses, your belly grows larger and can cause discomfort and difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position. By using a pregnancy pillow earlier, you can proactively support your body and alleviate these discomforts," she says. But you can absolutely start using a pregnancy pillow before then if you like, and some moms even continue to use their pillow post-pregnancy to ease back pain and help get a better night’s slumber. "Ultimately, listen to your body and start using the pillow whenever you feel the need for additional support and comfort," says Dr. Harris.

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Olivia Dubyak is PureWow's Commerce Editor and textbook Capricorn. She studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but has gone from New York City to West Texas to Chicago to Northern Colorado since then experiencing new things to broaden her perspective as a writer. She writes across the board in fashion, beauty, wellness and home, focusing on product reviews and roundups that can elevate your everyday life. She's been writing in the commerce-sphere for nearly five years and loves trying new products, sharing her honest experiences to help you decide whether what you’re buying is worth it or not (yup, Augustinus Bader is a must-have).

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