Pregnancy pillows can help ease your pain during your pregnancy. They can elevate your legs or upper body, support your growing belly and align your legs for more comfortable side sleeping. Knowing where your pain is coming from can help you to select the right type of pregnancy pillow for you.

The Sleeping Challenge

Many women normally sleep on either their backs or their stomachs, but when you’re pregnant, this is not a possibility. It can be incredibly difficult to get proper rest when you’re not in your favorite position. Additionally, your growing belly can make sleeping on your side uncomfortable. Pregnancy pillows aim to support your body in different ways to help make it more comfortable to sleep.

Types of Pregnancy Pillows

Many women are more comfortable when they have a pillow in front of them to hug against the belly. Body-size pillows make this easy and also allow you to wrap your leg around something. A U-shaped pillow supports your head, front and back and helps you avoid the trouble of moving the body-size pillow when you want to turn over. Some pregnancy pillows are small and bean-shaped, meant for placing under your belly to support it. Others are small and shaped like an I-beam for placing between your legs to align your hips.

Considerations

Pregnancy pillows can be soft or firm, made from foam or feathers. The one that you want is a matter of personal preference. However, when sleeping on your side, it’s best to have a firm pillow to support your head and neck.

Choosing the Right One for You

When you wake up in the morning, ask where your pain lies. If it’s primarily in your hips and lower back, you should have a pillow between your legs. If the rest of your back aches, it may be better to purchase a U-shaped pillow to support your back. Your swelling feet should be better in the morning, but if they’re not, you can try to sleep with a pillow under your feet. Raising your head and upper body a bit while sleeping can prevent heartburn.

Making Do Without

Though a pregnancy pillow can make you more comfortable when sleeping, you don’t have to go out and buy one. If you already have a lot of pillows in your home, you can surround yourself with them, folding them as needed. Hug one and place another between your legs. This can be a money saver, as pregnancy pillows are typically more expensive than regular pillows.