“The main goal of the pillow should be to provide adequate comfort and support during sleep,” JustAnswer physician DJ Basu, MD MPH, tells Verywell Family. “Properly designed pillows can prevent sleep apnea, acid reflux, and also can provide support for side sleeping. As the uterus grows with pregnancy, back sleeping should be avoided. After 16 weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is heavy enough to exert pressure on the inferior vena cava (IVC), the major blood vessel located just right to the center of the abdominal cavity vertically.” When choosing a pregnancy pillow, comfort and support are the most important. Look at the various shape, size, and material options and how they’ll support your growing body. We carefully considered design, material, size, ease of cleaning, shapes, and support when reviewing products.  Here are the best pregnancy pillows on the market. Because it follows the natural contour and shape of your body and provides support right where you need it, the Leachco Snoogle Total Body Pillow is our top choice. What we love most about this C-shaped pillow is that it supports your body from head to toe, including your back, knees, head, and stomach. The horseshoe-shaped head pillow allows for proper positioning and height, while the extra-long midsection is perfect for total back or tummy support, depending on how you position the pillow. Made with 100% sateen cotton—which won’t trap body heat—the pillow has a 300 thread count, so it’s soft to the touch. The removable sham-style cover is also machine washable, making it super easy to keep clean. When a registered nurse—who is also a mom—develops a product, you can bet it’ll be a good one.  Price at time of publication: $58 Reduce swelling in your hands, legs, and feet by relieving back tension, or place it under your belly or knees to help you feel more comfortable at night. The pillow can help relieve nerve pain and leg numbness, as well. The small shape of this pillow makes it easy to travel with. Price at time of publication: $30 Whether you choose the natural latex or cooling gel filling option, you’ll feel supported in multiple areas of the body, like your back or legs. And, you can easily tie the pillow into a knot for compact storage. Price at time of publication: $199 The pillow has a micro-bead filling to help you find the most comfortable position, and features a machine washable cover for a quick clean. Plus, the pillow comes in a convenient storage bag you can use to take it with you to the hospital. Price at time of publication: $70 Pick from several different color options, and the zipper removable pillow cover is machine-washable, hypoallergenic, and contains zero phthalates, latex, or lead, and is BPA-free. Price at time of publication: $40 Both the slipcover and the pillow itself are machine washable, making cleaning a breeze. The pillow weighs just under 5 pounds, and measures 48 x 25 x 8 inches, so it doesn’t take up too much space. Price at time of publication: $55 Color options include blue, gray, and a blue and pink combination. The high density, extra soft filling can be added or taken out based on the user’s firmness preference, and the unique makeup of the filling retains fluffiness for better performance and longer use. Price at time of publication: $70 Price at time of publication: $99 What we love most about this pillow is a side panel that stretches for ultimate comfort. When stretched and placed between the legs, the panel helps keep the pillow in place as you sleep. Use it for comfortable side sleeping or for support during the fourth trimester. Price at time of publication: $35 The user can also easily flip from side to side if they’d like. Or, since the pillow is separated in the middle, both ends can be stacked to create double the support for your head, upper, and lower body. (Stacking the pillow for extra head support can help relieve heartburn, a dreaded pregnancy symptom). This particular pillow is not machine washable, however, and it weighs 7 pounds, making it quite substantial and not easy to move around. Price at time of publication: $90 Price at time of publication: $36 Price at time of publication: $40 This popular choice is known for offering relief and staying in place overnight. With some customers saying they got relief after one night of sleep. Price at time of publication: $30 Customers say it’s a high-quality pillow that works well to alleviate a variety of issues, aches, and pains. Many say it provides them with the best sleep they’ve had in years. Some note there is initially a strong smell to the pillow, but that dissipates after a few days. Bonus: If you want to go back to your regular pillow once the baby is born, you may want to hand this one over to your partner as it’s designed to prevent snoring, too. It’s also great for reading and watching TV, so you can use it long beyond your pregnancy, one way or another. Price at time of publication: $30

What to Look for in a Pregnancy Pillow 

Shape

If you’ve already started shopping for a pregnancy pillow, you’ve probably noticed they come in many different shapes and sizes. There are three main shapes you will see when browsing: U-shape, C-shape, and wedge. It’s important to know the difference between these three types of shapes as they each offer different support.  A U-shape pillow follows the natural shape of a growing baby bump, while also allowing the parent to turn to either side. These types of pillows give you maximum support in all areas, typically covering your entire body. There’s also a C-shape pillow, which looks like the letter “C,” and allows you to reposition easily for wherever you need support the most. Some pregnant people opt for wedges instead of pillows because they’re more compact and target specific areas instead of the entire body. Some are great for bump support while others are perfect for knee or back pain.  No matter what type of pillow you decide to use, Dr. Basu recommends finding a pillow that’s comfortable and supportive. “The main goal of the pillow should be to provide adequate comfort and support during sleep. Properly designed pillows can prevent sleep apnea, acid reflux, and also can provide support for side sleeping. C-shaped and U-shaped pillows provide total body support, while wedge shaped pillows can be used to provide localized support like back or stomach during side sleeping.”

Type of Material 

You may not think of the material when buying a pregnancy pillow, but it’s definitely a factor to think about. Some materials are more breathable than others, while there’s also many that conform to your body shape.  “Body pillows with organic cotton lining separating it from inner fills can be ideal for preventing heat and sweat during sleep,” Dr. Basu says. “The fill should retain little heat. The pillow should be easy to wash or dry clean for hygiene purposes. The pillow should be hypoallergenic as well to prevent allergies and nasal congestion during sleep.” If you tend to get hot during the night, you’ll want to look for a pillow made with cotton as it’s a breathable fabric. Polyester, however, is not breathable, and is best for cold nights or people who stay cold at night in general. Memory foam pillows are soft and shape to your body. While not as breathable as cotton, it’s definitely comfortable to sleep with. 

Size 

Many pregnancy pillows, especially U-shape and C-shape pillows, take up quite a bit of space. For those who sleep alone, this more than likely won’t be a problem. However, if you sleep with a partner, it may be an issue depending on where you both sleep. If you’re tall, a longer pillow may fit your needs better, while a wider pillow will support a back and belly. There are also wedges, which are more compact but still provide you with support.  Overall, you want a pillow that’s comfortable for your growing bump and body type. “Pillows should also be able to provide good back support and pressure relief—good for pregnant women with chronic back pain issues,” Dr. Basu says.

Why Trust Verywell Family

Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself and found a U-shape pregnancy pillow to be the most supportive during her own pregnancy. She loved how she could sleep on her side and still feel support on both sides. For U-shape and C-shape pillows, you can typically put part of the pillow between your legs while resting your belly and arm on another part of the pillow. As for wedges, these are best for one spot, like between the legs, your belly, or even back. “Since comfort, support, and good quality sleep are very important during pregnancy, one can start using a specialized pillow right from the beginning of pregnancy,” says Dr. Basu. “Otherwise, it is definitely advisable after 12 weeks of pregnancy, as the uterus gets heavier, to ensure proper side sleeping, back support, and pressure relief.” Your doctor will tell you when you can no longer sleep on your back and when to switch to your side. “Pressure on inferior vena cava can cause decreased blood flow to the brain and dizziness in the mother,” explains Dr. Basu. “There is also [the] risk of stillbirth as well.” Sleeping on your left side is recommended over back sleeping during pregnancy, Dr. Basu suggests. “It is better to sleep on the left side in a curled up position to ensure good blood flow during sleep.This is when it would be best to start using a pregnancy pillow for support so that your body can accustom to the growing changes comfortably at night.”