When a good night’s rest seems all but a distant memory, a pregnancy pillow can help you sleep soundly. They provide support and comfort as your baby and belly grow. They may also improve sleep quality, and help you to sleep on your side, the best position for expectant mothers. Whether you are looking for a full body pillow to serve as a “cocoon, “or a simple, portable pillow to wedge between your knees, here are the best and most comfortable pillows to get you dreaming sweetly.
Best C-Shaped Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillows
The QUEEN ROSE Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow, Leachco Back ‘N Belly Chic Supreme, Milliard U Shaped Body Pillow Memory Foam Comfort are U-shaped pillows. In contrast, the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow and the Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillow are a classic C-shape. The L-shaped pillow from Marine Moon offers yet another pillow shape option.
QUEEN ROSE Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow
The QUEEN ROSE Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow has received more than 20,000 rave reviews from expectant mothers, and for extremely good reasons. This pillow has gotten me through many sleepless nights during my pregnancy.
The pillow has a large “U” shape which allows expectant mothers to use it in whatever way works best. The bottom portion may be used as a headrest, while the sides support your lower back and growing belly. Alternatively, you can flip the pillow around to elevate your feet while sleeping. The QUEEN ROSE pillow is designed to support the shape of your pregnant body.
Its cover is made of a velvety soft material that can be removed for easy washing. The pillow also maintains its shape and fluffiness well over time.
Most importantly, in my opinion, this pillow promotes side sleeping. Pre-pregnancy, I was a back sleeper. No matter how many pillows I used to prop myself up, I always ended up rolling onto my back once asleep. Doctors recommend avoiding back sleep as it puts too much pressure and weight on the placenta and inferior vena cava, the main vein that carries blood from your lower body back to your heart.
The side portions of this pillow can be used to tuck underneath your back to prevent you from rolling. If you change sleep positions at night, it eliminates the need to rearrange several other pillows while in a groggy state. The panels on this pillow provide both front and back support.
There is one downside: this top pregnancy pillow is extremely large, and takes up some serious real estate in your bed. However, it is absolutely worth it for a good night’s rest!
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow
Replace the half dozen pillows on your bed with a single PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow!
This is a classic C-shaped, full body pillow that supports your head, neck, spine, belly, back hips, and legs. It wraps around your whole body to provide comfort and support. The polyfill material can conform to any body type to relieve those pregnancy pains, and help you remain asleep.
This pillow may also be used while sitting upright in bed for lounging and relaxing. In addition, the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow makes a great nursing pillow!
The pillow cover is made of 100% cotton, and can be removed for washing.
Leachco Back ‘N Belly Chic Supreme
The Leachco Back ‘N Belly Chic Supreme is another great U-shaped pillow option. It is large and comfortable, but still fits well on a queen-sized bed with a partner.
The sides of this pillow have hourglass curves that provide support for both your belly and back. The Leachco is filled with 100% polyester fibers, making it very soft and quiet as you turn from side to side. The zippered, removable cover is made of 300-thread count sateen cotton fabric.
It is best to spot clean this pillow with a soapy cloth. If it begins to lose its shape, fluff as you would any other pillow.
Milliard U Shaped Body Pillow Memory Foam Comfort
If you are suffering from sciatica, leg swelling, or back pain, do yourself a favor, and get the Milliard U Shaped Body Pillow Memory Foam Comfort.
What makes this U-shaped pillow unique is that its memory foam can be customized to your needs. You can remove or add more stuffing for your desired level of firmness.
This pillow is designed to help moms sleep well while lying on their sides during pregnancy. However, you can use it for more than just sleeping! This maternity pillow is perfect for propping you up when sitting upright or lounging on the couch.
Meiz Pregnancy Pillow
If you easily become overheated while sleeping and the thought of cuddling a gigantic pregnancy pillow sounds less than appealing, give the Meiz Pregnancy Pillow a try. This U-shaped pillow may be larger and warmer than most, but it has a jersey knit fabric cover that is more breathable than other options.
Most of the U-shaped pillows on this list have a soft, velour fabric that retains heat. The Meiz Pregnancy Pillow gives you the benefits of all-around support while staying slightly cooler.
In addition, it provides wonderful back support for side sleeping during pregnancy. It also helps relieve painful sciatica, leg swelling, back pain, and other uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
AngQi 65-inch Full Body Support Pillow with Washable Velvet Cover
The AngQi Full Body Support Pillow with Washable Velvet Cover is another customizable U-shaped pillow to help you get a good night’s rest during pregnancy.
The AngQi pillow is available in 4 lengths: 55 inch, 60 inch, 65 inch, and 70 inch. This means, whether you are petite or tall, there is an AngQi pillow in your size. The polyester fiber filling can also be customized. Users can remove or add their preferred amount of filling through the zippers on the inner case.
The soft velvet cover is removable, and easy to throw into the washing machine. The pillow conforms to the natural shape of your body, and provides great back, hips, knees, neck, and head support.
Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillow
The Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillow is a favorite for those who prefer a C-shaped pillow.
A this type of pillow provides head, neck, shoulder, leg, and ankle support. This specific pillow model is also recommended for non-pregnant women who suffer from fibromyalgia, congestion, reflux, and other illnesses.
It is stuffed with bionic polyethylene filling which helps to retain its fluffiness after many uses and washes. Both the pillow and cover can be machine washed.
Marine Moon Pregnancy Pillow
We’ve discussed U-shaped and C-shaped maternity pillows. Now let’s talk about the L-shaped pillow from Marine Moon.
An L-shaped pillow is essentially half the size of a U-shaped pillow, meaning it takes up less room in your bed. This is a great option if you have a smaller sized bed.
Marine Moon’s patented L-shaped body pillow is designed to eliminate the need for multiple bed pillows.
The pillow has a thoughtfully designed contoured neck filled with memory foam to conform specifically to the user. The longer portion is stuffed with an extra soft, hypoallergenic fiberfill.
The Marine Moon L-shaped pillow is great for side sleepers, those who don’t mind repositioning their pillow at night, and when back support is not needed.
Best Full Body Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillows
The Cosybay Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow and the Milliard Body Pillow allow you to adjust the inner memory foam filling, making it comfortable for everyone. The Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow and the LUCID Shredded Memory Foam Full Body Pillow are comfy, but not as adjustable.
Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow
Perhaps a “letter-shaped” pillow is a bit too bulky. You may instead enjoy the simplicity of a long body pillow such as the Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow.
This body pillow can still be fantastic for relieving pregnancy pains. You can place the pillow between your knees, or behind your back for extra support as you sleep.
Stuffed with memory foam, the Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow allows your back, hips, knees, legs, and feet to remain correctly aligned when snoozing.
The exterior cover is made of a breathable micro-vented fabric that keeps you feeling cool.
Milliard Body Pillow
The Milliard Body Pillow will have you sleeping soundly both during and after pregnancy.
It is overly stuffed with shredded memory foam pieces that you can customize to your liking. If you prefer a firm pillow, then leave all of the filling intact. If you want softer support, remove half of the filling. For moderate support, use about 75 percent of the memory foam filling.
This body pillow relieves pregnancy pressure points throughout all trimesters. Afterward, you may use it across the top of your bed as a seamless pillow.
Both the body pillow and its jacquard bamboo outer cover are machine washable. This product arrives vacuum-sealed, and requires anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to regain fluffiness.
Cosybay Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow
The Cosybay Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow is another great option for pregnant women who are looking for a bit of sleeping support.
This pillow comes with an extra bag of stuffing, specifically for moms-to-be and side sleepers. The memory foam filling is shredded which makes it very user-friendly and soft, but also firm enough to maintain its shape.
For expectant mamas, hug this pillow, and place it between your knees for belly support. Alternatively, use it underneath your legs to relieve swelling, or simply behind your back for extra support as you sleep on your side.
LUCID Shredded Memory Foam Full Body Pillow
The LUCID Shredded Memory Foam Full Body Pillow promises to provide lasting support while also keeping you cool through your pregnancy.
This pillow is filled with a premium shredded memory foam, designed to allow unobstructed airflow throughout the pillow. The bamboo cover is also very breathable and soft.
An important note: this pillow arrives compressed, and requires substantial fluffing for best results. Don’t worry! It’s easy to bring this pillow “back to life.” Simply place the pillow in the dryer on medium heat for 20 minutes.
Best Wedge Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillows
The Qutool Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers is not considered a pregnancy pillow, but it is very helpful for a good night’s sleep. Alternatively, the hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge for Maternity and the Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow are great “pregnancy specific” pillows.
hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge for Maternity
A favorite gift idea for expectant moms is the hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge for Maternity because it is so versatile!
It is a two-sided pillow, with soft memory foam on one side, and firmer support foam on the other. This compact, wedge pillow comes in an easy-to-carry bag, making it perfect for traveling. In addition, the hiccapop wedge can be used in many other ways:
- Place the wedge pillow under your belly during the third trimester to help relieve back tension.
- Put the pillow between your knees or behind your back for extra support to relieve nerve pain and leg numbness.
- Use this pillow at work for back support while sitting in your office chair.
- Take this pillow on long plane and car rides for comfort, and for pregnancy sleep support when traveling.
- Use the pillow to comfortably prop your newborn on your lap while bottle-feeding or during playtime. Never leave your newborn or infant on this pillow while sleeping or unattended.
The cover is super soft and machine washable. The perforated foam layer also keeps you feeling cooler than other memory foam pillows.
If you are planning to travel during your pregnancy, the hiccapop wedge pillow is a must!
Qutool Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers
If you were already a side sleeper before your pregnancy and just need some symptom relief, try the Qutool Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers.
This is not a maternity pillow, but many pregnant women have found it to be helpful for getting a good night’s rest. This ergonomic knee pillow may be positioned between your knees. A comfortable strap holds it in place to keep your legs, hips, and spine aligned.
The shape of this leg pillow is designed to reduce sciatic nerve pain and promote blood circulation, two things that are very helpful during pregnancy. It is so effective that some healthcare providers and personal trainers recommend it to assist in recovering from surgery.
The breathable zip-up cover is removable for easy washing. This pillow is also protected by a 5-year warranty.
Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow
The Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow is a great, affordable wedge pillow with thousands of rave online reviews. It is even considered to be the “best pregnancy wedge pillow” by a leading memory foam company.
The Boppy wedge provides support for your back, under your baby bump, or between your knees. It is surprisingly firm yet comfortable. Its size makes it extremely portable, and easy to position throughout the night.
The soft, jersey cotton cover is removable and machine washable. It is important to note, however, that this product is only for adult use only, and is not intended for infants.
Comparing the Best Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillows
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Leachco Back 'N Belly Chic Supreme | 9.8 | 8.6 | 109.99 |
| AngQi 65-inch Full Body Support Pillow with Washable Velvet Cover | 9.9 | 9.0 | 99.19 |
| Snuggle-Pedic Full Body Pillow | 9.9 | 9.2 | 69.20 |
| QUEEN ROSE Cooling Air Flow Pregnancy Pillow | 9.9 | 9.0 | 52.99 |
| Milliard U Shaped Body Pillow Memory Foam Comfort | - | 8.8 | 49.99 |
| LUCID Shredded Memory Foam Full Body Pillow | 8.3 | 8.8 | 49.99 |
| Meiz Pregnancy Pillow | 9.9 | 9.0 | 46.99 |
| PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow | 9.9 | 9.2 | 42.95 |
| Milliard Body Pillow | 9.0 | 9.0 | 34.99 |
| Chilling Home Pregnancy Pillow | 9.9 | 8.8 | 29.99 |
| hiccapop Pregnancy Pillow Wedge for Maternity | 9.9 | 9.2 | 25.92 |
| Boppy Pregnancy Wedge Pillow | 9.9 | 9.2 | 19.99 |
| Marine Moon Pregnancy Pillow | 9.7 | 6.4 | - |
| Qutool Knee Pillow for Side Sleepers | 3.9 | 8.0 | - |
| Cosybay Shredded Memory Foam Body Pillow | 6.3 | 8.4 | - |
FAQs – Memory Foam Pregnancy Pillows
Which is better for pregnancy: a U-Shaped or C-Shaped pillow?
This comes down to a matter of preference and your sleeping habits prior to becoming pregnant.
U-shaped pillows offer support to both your belly and back. C-shaped pillows support only one the side of your body. Another difference is that U-shaped pillows are larger and bulkier than C-shaped pillows.
My best advice for back sleepers is to invest in a good U-shaped pillow. This will help you to fall and stay asleep on your side, the doctor recommended sleep position for pregnant women (more on the reason behind why below in the next question).
If you were previously a side sleeper, then a C-shaped pillow that gives extra support under your belly or between your knees may be all that you need to stay comfortable during the night.
If you need a daytime support pillow, check out our best donut pillow for pregnancy review.
What are the benefits of a U-Shaped and C-Shaped pregnancy pillow?
While you may be hesitant to invest in a U-shaped or C-shaped pregnancy pillow due to its size, price, and amount of use, consider how helpful it can be for sleep-deprived expectant mothers. Large pregnancy body pillows offer wonderful benefits to back and stomach sleepers, women carrying multiples, plus-sized women, and others.
First and foremost, doctors prefer that you sleep on your side during pregnancy, specifically on the left. It can be difficult to adjust to this sleep position if you were previously a back or stomach sleeper! When on your back, the entire weight of your growing baby and uterus rests on your spine and the primary vein that carries blood from the lower body back to the heart. Chances are, if you inadvertently roll onto your back while sleeping, you will wake up quickly due to discomfort.
Sleeping with a U-shaped or C-shaped pillow can provide gentle support to your spine, and simulate the feeling of back sleeping. For stomach sleepers, hugging a full-length body pillow can mimic the effect of tummy sleeping.
Full body maternity pillows can also help relieve sciatica, knee pain, and leg swelling. U-shaped and C-shaped pillows are particularly helpful for women carrying multiples as their bodies grow faster and larger than those carrying singletons.
Plus-sized women may find C-shaped pillows a bit more comfortable because of their flexibility, smaller size, and minimal restriction of movement.
What is the best pregnancy pillow for hip pain?
A full body pillow that can be comfortably placed between your knees is going to be best option for reducing hip pain during pregnancy. If this is your only problem area, a full body pillow may keep you more comfortable.
What is the best pregnancy pillow for back pain?
A wedge pillow can be placed between your knees or behind your back is best to help relieve back pain during pregnancy. Find one that is easy to maneuver while in your groggy state, so you can change positions throughout the night with ease.
What is the best pregnancy pillow for stomach sleepers?
Stomach sleeping is impractical during pregnancy as the baby and belly enlarges. This position adds weight and pressure on your growing baby and uterus.
However, you can mimic the feeling of sleeping on your stomach safely by using a full-body pillow. Wedge pillows will not give you the same effect, so it is best to purchase a full-body memory foam pillow, either U-shaped or C-shaped.
Wrapping your body around the full-length pillow as you sleep can help to simulate the feeling of lying on your stomach. It won’t be exactly the same, but arguably, it will be the next best thing!
What is the best pregnancy pillow for back sleepers?
If you are primarily a back sleeper, it is crucial to have pillow support in order to prevent rolling onto your back in the middle of the night. Now, this can be achieved with normal pillows, but I find it most comfortable to have a wedge or full body pillow that is less likely to move out of position..
Wedge pillows have a slight incline, making them easier to tuck and stay underneath your back. When you change sleep positions, however, it will need readjusting each time.
This is why many expectant mothers prefer U-shaped pillows, especially if they were previously back sleepers. Although they are the bulkiest option, U-shaped pillows allow you to simply roll from left to right without having to adjust pillows. They provide front and back support.
What should I consider before investing in a pregnancy pillow?
In addition to what has been discussed above (ie, back sleeper versus stomach sleeper, hip pain and/or back pain, etc.), here are some other things to think about when searching for the best option.
Consider how much space you have. This may seem like an afterthought, but it is actually pretty important. Most of the pillows on our list are large, and take up a lot of space in the bed. The largest U-shaped pillow fits comfortably on a queen-sized mattress with a partner also sleeping in the same bed. For smaller beds, you may want to choose a different pregnancy pillow in order for both of you to be comfortable.
Also, once you are no longer using the pillow, storage is another factor. For example, most U-shaped pillows can be rolled up like a sleeping bag, and stored in a trash bag.
Another important consideration is how easy the pillows are to clean or wash. Most come with removable, machine washable covers. This is a wonderful feature, especially if you plan to use this pillow during every night of your pregnancy.
Finally, decide the amount of support you prefer, softer or firmer. Memory foam provides both options. If you don’t know or can’t decide right away, don’t worry. Many of the pregnancy pillows on our list are customizable. You can add or remove the memory foam stuffing to fit your needs.
