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At six-months pregnant, mum-to-be MaryLou Costa put pregnancy pillows to the test
It’s a cruel twist of nature that at a time when you need to sleep the most, your body has other plans - needing to pee all the time, being so large that rolling over in bed comes with great difficulty, leg cramps that strike when you least expect them, back pain, and general pregnancy insomnia - the list, unfortunately, can go on. However, something as simple as a pregnancy pillow tailored to your changing body can be a small adjustment, yet provide huge comfort and relief.
The NHS also recommend you sleep on your left side during pregnancy, so the correct pillow should help encourage that. "Side sleeping gives blood an easier route to the placenta to nourish the baby. Side lying also helps the kidneys to flush waste products and fluids from your body," explains parenting expert and maternity nurse, Hannah Love.
Pregnant people could just use normal pillows - one between the knees and one between the ankles, but specific pregnancy pillows have been designed with that in mind, argues Hollie Grant, founder of pre and post-natal exercise programme, The Bump Plan.
"When you’re lying on your side, you’ll find your knees fold together and collapse together, and some people can find that makes their hips ache. Whereas actually, a more comfortable position would be with the knees about hip width apart. Some people are going to need to put a pillow in between their knees and maybe their ankles as well to elevate their top leg so that their hips are more aligned," explains Hollie.
It’s important to invest in a pregnancy pillow, recommends Emiliana Hall, founder of The Mindful Birth Group, as they provide more support in the right places for a growing bump, which can help with easing symptoms such as pelvic pain, and even nasal congestion and heartburn.
The pregnancy pillow market is now a huge space, with prices ranging from budget buys to triple figures, and a variety of features to match. The three most important things to look for, according to Emiliana, are:
"You do get what you pay for, and you’ll be using it for a long time, so invest in a good one if you can," Emiliana advises. "You’ll find that cheaper ones will lose their shape after a few months. They are great for supporting your arms when feeding baby too, so you’ll be using it for longer than you think!"
So which are worth the price tag, and which punch above their weight? At six-months pregnant, I put eight to the test - here are the results.
I was quick to dismiss this at first as just an overpriced, long beanbag. But once you get used to the different sensation of the beans compared with normal pillow stuffing, it’s addictive. It’s also brilliant for sitting up on the sofa - a place I am spending a lot of time these days - a simple act which gets harder and more uncomfortable as you get bigger.
The bbhugme gives you great support at an ideal angle, with an instant arm rest. I can also see how it would continue to be valuable once the baby’s born, to help relieve any back ache from constantly carrying your little one around.
The washable, adjustable cover in a lovely soft green cover is a bonus too, even if it is a little fiddly to get on at first. As time goes on, I find myself drawn to this pillow as my go-to, for the way it simply moulds around my body in all the right places for the most comfortable night’s sleep.
Another option with a bean filling, this is a great budget alternative to the bbhugme. The biggest difference is that it’s fixed into more of a U-shape, and the beans don’t feel as mouldable, especially when sitting up - but I suspect they may soften over time. The grey zip-off washable cover is handy too, especially as it comes already fitted, and the colour blends into my furnishings.
The U-shape makes it ideal for a feeding support post-pregnancy, giving it another lease of life. A Baby Nest Converter is also available to purchase, to create a cosy environment to rest your baby in when they arrive.
While not specifically made or marketed as a pregnancy pillow, The S8 Body Pillow's features certainly lend itself to that. I like the vertical shape which makes it versatile for sleeping or relaxing. It’s certainly comfortable enough, but once you lay on it, it doesn’t seem to bounce back as readily as the bean-filled models. So while the price point is attractive, staying power is a bit of a concern for me.
The zip-off, washable cover already being on is a big plus, but personally, I feel the beige colour with logo and slogan isn’t as attractive as the colour scheme of some of the other brands I've tested.
I appreciate how it comes vacuum packed for convenience, but this leaves creases on the case that don’t seem so visible with the others. Having said that, my husband, who is a regular runner and often has stiff legs, is really enjoying using this pillow!
The unique design - a curved cut out centre to support your bump - makes this pillow from Natal Comfort really stand out - and will be a relief for all the stomach sleepers out there who are struggling in other positions in the early days. According to Natal Comfort, stomach sleeping when pregnant can help reduce back pain and eliminate sore hips and sides - for more information on the best sleeping positions when pregnant, visit the NHS website or ask your GP.
The Anna pregnancy pillow is made from a super-soft, breathable cotton-Lycra blend. Tick for the grey washable cover, too. If you’re not looking for something to aid you in this position, then its use would be limited, so while this pillow will have its fans, it’s not for everyone.
This is the first hybrid pillow I’ve seen - beans at the top and foam at the bottom, shaped to fit between your legs for a full body experience. SnuzCurve says this will reduce back pain by taking the pressure off key stress points and promoting a neutral spine.
The foam is a little on the stiff side, so doesn’t give the pillow the same cuddle factor as other options, despite its soft grey zip-off cover. Its dual nature also makes it a bit awkward for evening sofa use, and it may be a little too unwieldy for future baby feeding as well. However, I did appreciate the inclusion of a black eye mask in the box.
Not too soft and not too firm - and not squishing down permanently after a night’s sleep - this pillow from M&S could be the perfect solution at the most purse-friendly price point. Admittedly, it first takes a while to get into a good position for sleeping, but once I figured out the best spot with one side of the pillow against my chest and belly, and the other between my legs - it was very comfy indeed. The V-shape would also make it useful as a feeding support for baby.
This one comes with a white pillow case that alas, you must put on yourself (and perhaps other colour options may be preferable). But overall, this is an excellent budget option.
As a nursing and baby support later, this is a versatile pillow at an unbeatable price point with its sale discount, especially as it comes with a triangle wedge, which is similar to one I used religiously in my first pregnancy as a belly and back support (it came on numerous car and plane journeys with me, and I still regret giving it away before moving house).
I’m not sure I’d recommend the Puggle pillow as a main sleeping option, however. Its smaller size does make it a bit less effective, as it’s not as supportive as its full-size counterparts. But at the sale price, it would be a no-brainer to purchase as a portable option purely for traveling.
Perhaps I’m a little too tired, achey and hormonal, but the 3-in-1 connector design of this pillow - one long pillow and two crescent shaped ones that all need zipping together after you put the three individual cases on yourself - initially makes me reach for another, simpler option instead.
Once I get over myself though, I can’t fault the comfort or the style. The two curved ends help it stretch from head to toe giving full body coverage. While it’s beautifully soft, it holds up after a full (very good) night’s sleep. It also passes the 'chilling on the sofa' test, and it has the most beautiful cover designs of the lot, ranging from floral, to grey and white dots and swirls. Its future uses as feeding and baby supports, once deconstructed again, confirm that it’s a worthwhile purchase - one that I’m enjoying using more and more regularly.