What is a pregnancy pillow and do you need one?

A decent pregnancy pillow can be a total lifesaver in the second and third trimesters, so if you're asking what the best pregnancy pillow in the uk is you are in the right place. There are so many different types of pregnancy pillows on the market these days, so how do you know which one is right for you? I've done the hard work for you and put together a mini guide for you, plus a list of the best pregnancy pillows on the market. All you have to do is choose the one that best suits you!

What is the point of using a pregnancy pillow?

A good pregnancy pillow provides back, hip, and pelvis support. It can also help to alleviate aches and pains.
Side sleeping on your left side is recommended for pregnant women and people in the third trimester. A pregnancy pillow can prevent you from rolling onto your back.
It can be a fabulous sleeping aid to help you get into a more comfortable position and get that all-important (but often elusive) restful night's sleep.
Some pregnancy pillows can double up as a support and feeding pillow once your baby arrives.
A pregnancy pillow can also be super helpful if you have had a c-section. It can help to support feeding in a side-lying position and just generally make you feel more comfortable through your recovery.

What type of pregnancy pillow should you buy?

The first thing you need to consider is the type of pregnancy pillow you need. Do you need something to support your back? Your belly? Your hips? Your head and neck? Or all of the above? There are pillows designed to support each of these areas, so make sure you choose one that will give you the support you need.

No matter what type of pillow you choose, make sure that it is comfortable. You will be spending a lot of time sleeping on your pillow, so you want to make sure that you can get into a comfortable position.

Here is a breakdown of the most popular types of pregnancy pillows:

Full body pillow

This type of pillow is designed to support your entire body. They are often long and narrow pillows that can be positioned in various ways to provide support for your back, hips, belly, and even knees at the same time. They usually span the length of your body and can also be used to prop up your head and neck.

C-shape pregnancy pillow

If you're looking for a pregnancy pillow that will give you extra support during those long nights of pregnancy, then you may want to consider a C-shape pillow. This pillow is shaped like a crescent moon, sometimes with a large curve at one end and a smaller curve at the other. Sometimes called a V-shaped pillow, this type of pillow is designed to support your hips and belly at the same time and can be a great way to get the good night's sleep you're craving.

When shopping for this type of pillow, you'll want to make sure that it is long enough to support your full body.

One of the great things about a C-shape pillow is that it can be used after your baby is born. Many people find that this type of pillow is great for nursing, as it provides support for both your back and your baby.

U-shape pregnancy pillow

U-shaped pregnancy pillows are designed to give you full body support, including your back, belly, and legs. A U-shaped pillow is shaped like a horseshoe and often wraps around your entire body. It provides support for your back, belly, and hips, and can help to reduce pregnancy aches and pains.

U-shaped pregnancy pillows are often quite large, so make sure you have enough space in your bed before investing in one. They can also be quite expensive, but many women and pregnant people find them worth the investment.

Wedge-shaped pregnancy pillow

This pillow is wedge-shaped and can be placed under your baby bump or behind your back to provide extra support. The wedge is inexpensive and small (so your partner won’t be relegated to the sofa), but it can only support one part of you—say, your bump—at a time.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a wedge pillow. First, make sure that the pillow is firm enough to provide support but soft enough to be comfortable. You'll also want to consider the size of the pillow and whether you want a single pillow or a set.

What to look for when buying a pregnancy pillow

Once you've decided on the type of pillow you need, the next thing to consider is the filling. There are many different types of fillings to choose from, so make sure you pick one that's comfortable for you. Some of the most popular options include memory foam, down, and latex. Firmer is usually better as you'll want a really supportive pillow.

Look for removable, machine-washable covers. Most pregnancy pillows will feature this, but it's worth checking for. Some also come with additional covers, which is really handy.

The best-rated pregnancy pillows

1. Silentnight V -Shaped Support Pillow

Pillow type: V-shaped pillow

Material: Microfibre

Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Why it's great:

Multi-use
Comes with an extra pillowcase
Hypoallergenic

2. Cauzyart U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: U shaped pillow

Material: 100% velvet cover

Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Why it's great:

Offers full body support - back, hips, legs and belly
Removable cover that's machine washable

3. Kolbray® Full Body Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: Full body pillow

Material: ‎‎60% Cotton 40% Polyester

Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Why it's great:

Zipper removeable cover, machine washable
Breathable Soft-knit Jersey cover

4. Niimo C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: C shaped pregnancy pillow

Material: 100% cotton cover

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Why it's great:

Multi-use
Removable cover
Machine washable

5. Pharmedoc C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: C shaped pregnancy pillow

Material: Cotton

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

Why it's great:

Soft jersey fabric cover
Machine washable

6. Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge

Pillow type: Wedge pillow

Material: Memory foam

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Why it's great:

Dual sided: soft memory foam on one side, and firmer support foam on the other side.
Plush velboa cover
Machine washable

The 7 best pregnancy pillows in the UK (2023)

What is a pregnancy pillow and do you need one?

What is the point of using a pregnancy pillow?

A good pregnancy pillow provides back, hip, and pelvis support. It can also help to alleviate aches and pains.

Side sleeping on your left side is recommended for pregnant women and people in the third trimester. A pregnancy pillow can prevent you from rolling onto your back.

It can be a fabulous sleeping aid to help you get into a more comfortable position and get that all-important (but often elusive) restful night's sleep.

Some pregnancy pillows can double up as a support and feeding pillow once your baby arrives.

A pregnancy pillow can also be super helpful if you have had a c-section. It can help to support feeding in a side-lying position and just generally make you feel more comfortable through your recovery.

What type of pregnancy pillow should you buy?

No matter what type of pillow you choose, make sure that it is comfortable. You will be spending a lot of time sleeping on your pillow, so you want to make sure that you can get into a comfortable position.

Here is a breakdown of the most popular types of pregnancy pillows:

Full body pillow

C-shape pregnancy pillow

When shopping for this type of pillow, you'll want to make sure that it is long enough to support your full body.

One of the great things about a C-shape pillow is that it can be used after your baby is born. Many people find that this type of pillow is great for nursing, as it provides support for both your back and your baby.

U-shape pregnancy pillow

U-shaped pregnancy pillows are designed to give you full body support, including your back, belly, and legs. A U-shaped pillow is shaped like a horseshoe and often wraps around your entire body. It provides support for your back, belly, and hips, and can help to reduce pregnancy aches and pains.

U-shaped pregnancy pillows are often quite large, so make sure you have enough space in your bed before investing in one. They can also be quite expensive, but many women and pregnant people find them worth the investment.

Wedge-shaped pregnancy pillow

This pillow is wedge-shaped and can be placed under your baby bump or behind your back to provide extra support. The wedge is inexpensive and small (so your partner won’t be relegated to the sofa), but it can only support one part of you—say, your bump—at a time.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a wedge pillow. First, make sure that the pillow is firm enough to provide support but soft enough to be comfortable. You'll also want to consider the size of the pillow and whether you want a single pillow or a set.

What to look for when buying a pregnancy pillow

Look for removable, machine-washable covers. Most pregnancy pillows will feature this, but it's worth checking for. Some also come with additional covers, which is really handy.

The best-rated pregnancy pillows

1. Silentnight V -Shaped Support Pillow

Pillow type: V-shaped pillow

Material: Microfibre

Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Why it's great:

Multi-use

Comes with an extra pillowcase

Hypoallergenic

2. Cauzyart U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: U shaped pillow

Material: 100% velvet cover

Amazon rating: 4.7/5

Why it's great:

Offers full body support - back, hips, legs and belly

Removable cover that's machine washable

3. Kolbray® Full Body Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: Full body pillow

Material: ‎‎60% Cotton 40% Polyester

Amazon rating: 4.6/5

Why it's great:

Zipper removeable cover, machine washable

Breathable Soft-knit Jersey cover

4. Niimo C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: C shaped pregnancy pillow

Material: 100% cotton cover

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Why it's great:

Multi-use

Removable cover

Machine washable

5. Pharmedoc C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow

Pillow type: C shaped pregnancy pillow

Material: Cotton

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

Why it's great:

Soft jersey fabric cover

Machine washable

6. Hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge

Pillow type: Wedge pillow

Material: Memory foam

Amazon rating: 4.5/5

Why it's great:

Dual sided: soft memory foam on one side, and firmer support foam on the other side.

Plush velboa cover

Machine washable

7. Chilling Home U-Shaped Maternity Pillow

Pillow type: U shaped pillow

Material: Polyethylene, Polypropylene

Amazon rating: 4.4/5

Why it's great:

Soft outer velvet cover

Washable cover

100% Hypoallergenic