Skip to main content

Why pregnancy pillows are a great purchase for every expecting mom

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience, but it can also be uncomfortable and tiring. Since your body will go through endless changes throughout your pregnancy, an ordinary pillow that allowed for comfortable sleep one week may not work next week. Pregnant women often experience exhaustion and require more sleep than non-pregnant women. Sleep is incredibly essential for expecting moms since the body is working double-time to create a new life. So, being able to get comfortable and fall asleep becomes a necessity while pregnant. Pregnancy pillows are specially designed to support the changing contours of your body during pregnancy. They also offer support for various sleeping positions, and because of this, they are much longer or differently shaped than usual pillows.

Pregnancy pillows are also known as maternity pillows and are designed with mom to be’s needs in mind. Their primary function is to help support the growing bump so women can stay comfortable and rest as long as possible every time they can find sleep. Much like a regular pillow, pregnancy pillows are not one-size-fits-all. There are several factors to consider when choosing a maternity pillow. To find the one that will work best for you, there are several items to keep in mind – shape, size, filling, fabric, and price.

Related Videos

If this is your first pregnancy, you will not know what feels good to you from one phase of pregnancy to the next. For others who have had previous pregnancies, you may know what worked in the past, but not all pregnancies are the same. For these reasons, it is important to be willing to try multiple options to find the maternity pillow that will work best. A good pregnancy pillow can relieve pressure on the back, hips, and spine while preventing an expecting woman from sleeping on her stomach.

Different types of pregnancy pillows

woman sleeping with pregnancy pillow

Bean

The bean pillow shape is pretty self-explanatory – it is shaped like a bean and is one of the more compact forms of maternity pillows. It is used to add support to specific spots on the body like the lower back while sitting in an office chair or between the knees at night or during a nap. Bean shaped pillows are usually pretty affordable and are small enough in size that you can travel with them.

Inflatable

Though not as common as some of the other types of pregnancy pillows, inflatable pillows have some perks that the others do not. First off, these pillows are designed so women can rest on their stomachs without putting pressure on their unborn baby due to the hole in the middle. If you are usually a stomach sleeper, this may be a game-changer for you during pregnancy. Also, because these pillows can be inflated and deflated, they are great for travel and are easy to store when not in use.

Full-Length

Full-length pregnancy pillows are pretty much the same thing as a standard body pillow – it is a longer version of a traditional pillow. These types of pillows offer comfort during pregnancy because they can support the stomach and help the back stay in alignment by placing the pillow between the knees. This type of pillow is usually straight and is especially useful for side-sleepers. Some full-length pillows are made with flexible fabrics and fillings that are easier to mold to your body.

Total Body

Total body maternity pillows can support both sides of your body due to their C-shaped or U-shaped design. They curve around your entire body and cradle you while providing support for both your back and neck. Due to their long length, you can also place parts of the total body pillow between your knees and under your stomach. The total body pillow is one of the most popular types of pregnancy pillows because it offers the most support and offers the most support options. This pillow will likely evolve its usefulness along with the needs of your changing body throughout your pregnancy.

Wedge

The wedge pillow is one of the most popular choices for maternity pillows because they are useful both during and after pregnancy. The shape of the wedge pillow is either round or triangular and is typically used by placing the pillow under the baby bump to create support while sleeping. It can also be used to elevate the back or legs while resting. Wedge pillows are also among the most affordable pregnancy pillows and prove to be a wise investment because they are useful after giving birth.

Since there are so many options when it comes to pregnancy pillows, you may want to try a few different types before purchasing one. Obviously, it is not possible to sleep on different types of pillows while in the store or shopping online, so if you have friends or family that have one, ask them if you can try it out. Asking other mothers what worked for them may also help you figure out what will work for you. The good news is, these pillows do not have to go unused after you give birth. You may get so used to sleeping with your maternity pillow that you don’t want to go back to sleeping without it after your child is born. Also, many moms have found that their pregnancy pillow helps them support their baby while nursing or feeding.

Meanwhile, as you eagerly await for the day you meet your newborn, check some of our top tips for easier labor.

Editors' Recommendations

What is normal teen sexual behavior? We’ve got answers to help you understand your teenager
Read this to find out if your teen's sexual behavior is "normal"
Two teenagers on a date outside

What can parents actually expect when their kids turn into teens and start exploring their sexuality? It can be an uncomfortable subject, but being educated about typical sexual development and what your teen may be hearing from their peers is important to make sure you can talk openly with your child about protection, consent, risk reduction, and other issues.
Teens will be talking about sex and exploring this new part of their lives eventually and it's perfectly natural. Having your head in the sand won't make it go away, so the information below will prepare you with information to tackle this new stage of parenting.

Puberty
The onset of puberty is what can start the beginning of this stage of life for teens, but it doesn't mean they're ready for sex; just that they may start experiencing sexual thoughts like crushes or urges like feeling aroused. On average, puberty begins between ages 8 and 14.

Read more
Going through the IVF process? Here’s what to expect
Ready for the IVF process? The steps and expectations from start to finish
A woman undergoing an ultrasound

Because of modern science, the birds and the bees aren’t precisely what they used to be. The rise of assisted reproductive technology (ART) has given parents ways of conceiving besides intercourse.

More than 8 million babies have been born via in vitro fertilization (IVF) since its inception in 1978 and 2018. In 2019, more than 83,000 babies were born via ART, according to CDC data. It’s unclear how many of those were from the IVF process, but the CDC notes it’s the most common form of ART.

Read more
5 things you should never say to a pregnant woman
She's already cranky, puffed, and exhausted. Please don't make it worse with these common questions for pregnant women
Pregnant married woman standing in a floral gown

These lists are sometimes hard to compile because of the beautiful complexity and differences between women. What may be offensive to one may be exactly what another needs to hear. Women, particularly pregnant women, are multidimensional, deeply thinking, individualistic human beings, and there is no "one-size-fits-all" list that applies to everyone.
However, there does seem to be an invisible boundary of privacy that drops when a woman is expecting a child. In a time when she is very likely uncertain, nervous, and potentially bombarded with any number of questions, swimming in a pool of nerves, people think this is the time to invade her space.
Most of these are well-intentioned questions, habitual, even. Rightfully so, people are excited and happy at the sight of a pregnant woman, and sometimes in that joy, manners can slip. It's important to keep in mind that many women -- particularly the more introverted ones -- are uncomfortable with all the new attention they're probably receiving. For the women who don't relish having these conversations with their family members, friends, hairstylists, and strangers in the produce section, these questions can be very awkward. Keep reading to find out the things you should never say to a pregnant woman.

'Are you going to breastfeed?'
This one is usually said with an air of haughtiness that also says, "It is the best choice, you know. Any mother who doesn’t breastfeed is just the absolute worst and shouldn’t be allowed to have children if only because of her shocking selfishness."
Ladies (and gentlemen), think about this one for a moment. While, as mentioned above, your intentions are undoubtedly lovely and kind, you may very well be deeply offending the already uncomfortable pregnant woman you’re talking to. Take into consideration that there are many reasons her answer to this question may be (gasp) "No."
Perhaps she has a medical issue that prevents her from breastfeeding. Perhaps she has a deeply rooted psychological reason she’s chosen not to. Perhaps she just feels icky about the whole thing, and despite her best efforts, just can’t move past it. Whatever the reason, she already knows breastfeeding is the healthiest and “best” option without you telling her so.
She doesn’t need to know that it’s what you did and that your babies were just healthy little horses. She doesn’t need to hear that feeding her precious, unborn baby formula is the equivalent of feeding it Tang instead of freshly squeezed orange juice. She’s thought about her choice more than you have; whatever that choice is, it's really none of your business.

Read more