You’re swollen, nauseous, sore, and achy — just the right combination for a good night’s sleep, right? Not. That’s when you should ditch your regular pillows and invest in one of the best pregnancy pillows that can actually provide back and belly support, and depending on the shape, cuddle your entire body in comfort. The truth is, your body is going through massive change as it grows a little human, and it can experience a whole host of physical discomforts even before you have the weight of a baby bump to worry about. One word to blame for that: hormones.
According to Washington D.C.-based board-certified OB/GYN Stephanie Hack, MD, pregnancy hormones relax the ligaments throughout the body (including the pelvis), which can lead to hip and back pain. As you move further along in your pregnancy and your uterus grows, this can also contribute to pain, as this causes stretching and pulling on the ligaments in your pelvis. And of course, as you enter the second and third trimesters, you have the baby’s weight to consider, which can put a strain on your back muscles and pressure on the pelvic floor, says Georgia-based board-certified OB/GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group Jill Purdie, MD.
There’s no magic wand that can erase all pregnancy aches and pains (wouldn’t that be nice?), so the next best thing is to consider using a pregnancy pillow for extra support. “Pregnancy pillows are designed to cradle the abdomen and offer additional support for the growing uterus,” says Dr. Purdie. “A pregnancy pillow may be used during any trimester but is the most helpful after 20 weeks when the uterus comes out of the pelvis and becomes part of the abdomen.”
Comfort is the number one priority when it comes to these nifty pillows, which are ideal for taking pressure off of the hips and back since they help keep your spine in a neutral position. (Note: If you find that you’re not getting relief from a pregnancy pillow or your symptoms worsen, it’s best to contact your doctor.)
Choosing the right pregnancy pillow isn’t always intuitive — size, shape, and firmness are all important factors to consider. Here are the 15 best pregnancy pillows to help pregnant people get that much-needed (and well-deserved) rest. Happy snuggling.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow, $35
- Best U-Shaped Pillow: Queen Rose Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow, $45
- The Coolest Pillow: Threshold Cool Touch Pregnancy Body Pillow, $49
- Adjustable Shape: Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow, $70
- Best Full-Body Pillow: Newton Baby Pregnancy Pillow, $80
- Best Memory Foam Pillow: Cocozy CloudSoft Adjustable Maternity Pillow, $150
- Best for Side Sleepers: Belly Bandit S.O.S. Side Sleeper Pregnancy Wedge Pillow, $80
Best Overall: Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
Dr. Hack is a fan of this Boppy pregnancy pillow because “it’s affordable for most budgets, durable (I’ve used the same for all three of my pregnancies), and easy to clean,” she says. The Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow is a fan-favorite for its sheer versatility: Secure it underneath your belly for side sleeping; use it to prop yourself up on the couch; place it underneath your feet for elevating your lower half; or wedge it in between your legs to keep your spine aligned. Its compact size makes it great for those with smaller beds (and easy to store).
Best Full-Body Pillow: Newton Baby Pregnancy Pillow
If you’re looking for full body support, Dr. Hack recommends a C- or U-shaped pregnancy pillow like Newton Baby’s, which is adjustable to U, C, and J configurations. Its filling is made up of a memory foam and fiber cluster blend (a.k.a. it’s super comfortable) and the hypoallergenic cover features temperature-regulating organic cotton that makes night sweats a thing of the past.
Best C-Shape Pillow: Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow
Dr. Purdie explains that a C-shaped pregnancy pillow like Leachco’s Snoogle Total Body Pillow offers a good amount of support for either your front or back — the choice is yours. Though this is a full-body pillow, it has a slimmer profile than others in the same category, making it a great option for those with queen-size (or smaller) beds. We also appreciate the fact that the pillow’s jersey material keeps it lightweight, making it especially handy for summer pregnancies.
Best for Side Sleepers: Belly Bandit S.O.S. Side Sleeper Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
Typically, wedge pillows only target one specific area (your belly), but Belly Bandit’s S.O.S. Side Sleeper Pregnancy Wedge Pillow does so much more. It’s actually a three-piece set that offers all-over relief via a belt, back support, and wedge pillow. Especially good for side sleepers (or back sleepers needing a bit of encouragement to sleep on their side, as is recommended by the American Pregnancy Association), this pick is fully equipped with velcro tabs to help you maintain your sleeping position — plus, it comes with a convenient travel case for on-the-go comfort.
Best for Travel: Momcozy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
If you find yourself traveling during your pregnancy, ease aches and pains wherever you lay with Momcozy’s Pregnancy Wedge Pillow. The beauty of this support pillow is it’s compact enough to fit in any carry-on or weekend bag and has an adjustable strap to snugly hug your growing bump, no matter what stage of pregnancy you’re in.
Best U-Shaped Pillow: Queen Rose Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow
For a full-body experience that you’ll enjoy during and even after pregnancy, snuggle up to the ultra-large, 55-inch Queen Rose Full-Body Pregnancy Pillow. Its unique U-shape provides all-over body support for moms-to-be and it also features a removable cover that’s made of plush velvet for a cloud-like feel.
Adjustable Shape: Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow
No matter what shape you want your pillow to take, the Frida Mom Adjustable Keep-Cool Pregnancy Pillow will literally bend to your needs. That’s all thanks to this pillow’s jointed design, which allows it to bend into a C-, U-, or J-shape and beyond.
Best for All Laying Positions: Buffy Wiggle Pillow
Don’t let the unassuming design on Buffy’s Wiggle Pillow fool you — this pillow conforms to the body no matter where on your body you position it. The Tencel lyocell fabric cover is one of the more breathable fabrics while the recycled-plastic filling is equally cushy and supportive. Throw one of Buffy’s cozy, machine-washable covers (for $69 a pop) on top, and voilà, it doubles as a decorative pillow.
The Coolest Pillow: Threshold Cool Touch Pregnancy Body Pillow
Hot sleepers, rejoice. The Threshold Cool Touch Pregnancy Body Pillow is one of the best body pillows for keeping you cool during the summer and beyond. As this U-shaped pillow keeps you cool, its medium-density polyester filling provides moderate support for your growing belly.
Most Design Options: Bamibi Pregnancy Pillow
Whether you’re lounging and need lumbar support or sleeping and need pain relief, Bamibi’s Pregnancy Pillow is up to the task. The polyester filling feels comfortable and extends just the right amount of firmness as it wraps around the body. Looks-wise, we like that the pillow features a discreet zipper (which makes for a sleeker look) and comes in six designs (we’re partial to the grey hearts).
Most Back Support: Yana 360° Body Pillow
We know — Yana’s 360° Body Pillow costs a pretty penny, but hear us out. There are two fill types available: cooling gel and natural latex. Either way, the pillow hugs every curve of the body and offers maximum support for your back and beyond. Arguably the most impressive feature? To ensure it’s not an eyesore when not in use, you can tie up the pillow into a decorative knot. Genius.
Best Wedge Pillow: Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge
It’s tricky business figuring out what firmness to go for when it comes to pregnancy pillows, but Hiccapop’s Pregnancy Pillow Wedge makes the process easy. One side features soft memory foam for when you feel like melting into the bed and the other features firmer foam for when you’re in dire need of support. In any case, Dr. Hack notes that a wedge pillow, in general, is ideal for providing additional support to your abdomen, pelvic floor, and lower back.
Two-In-One Pillow: Babymoov B.Love 2-In-1 Pillow
Like efficiency? Babymoov’s B.Love 2-In-1 Pillow takes one less thing off of your baby registry, serving up the benefits of a pregnancy pillow and a nursing pillow in one. Its primary use, while you’re pregnant, will be to bolster your back, legs, and belly for ultimate comfort, but once you’re officially in your postpartum stage, it converts into the perfect breastfeeding pillow for your little one, conveniently wrapping around your midsection. Other elements we love: This pillow features microbead filling, which is known to hold its shape well and provide considerable support, and the pillowcase is machine-washable on gentle cycles.
Adjustable Firmness: Coop Home Goods Adjustable Full Body Pillow
We say pregnancy pillow, they say do-it-all pillow. The Coop Home Goods Adjustable Full Body Pillow is good for anyone who appreciates quality sleep — expectant mothers included. Use it to side-sleep when you’re pregnant, and then add or remove the fill as needed to accommodate other areas of your body when you’re not — especially if you’re usually a back or stomach sleeper.
Best Memory Foam Pillow: Cocozy CloudSoft Adjustable Maternity Pillow
Gone are the days of tossing and turning in bed — Cocozy’s CloudSoft Adjustable Maternity Pillow is just what you need for a good night’s sleep. This ultra-plush, extra-long pillow is filled with memory foam, which both Dr. Hack and Dr. Purdie note as being the most comfortable fill type. It also comes with a bamboo cover, meaning it’s super breathable and will never cause you to overheat.