Trying to get a restful night's sleep while heavily pregnant is no easy feat, whatever your situation. Sleep is important for mums-to-be and getting a lot of it is vital. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll be looking at the best pregnancy pillows for queen-sized beds and delve into which pillow will suit your style and comfort best. 

Why you need a pregnancy pillow

A woman's body goes through significant hormonal and physical changes during pregnancy, so mums must invest in good quality pregnancy pillows in order to get the best night's sleep possible.

Generally, pregnant women start using pregnancy pillows at around 20 weeks. C-shaped and U-shaped pregnancy pillows work well during the second and third trimesters. This is typically when mums start gaining weight which adds pressure to ligaments and joints.

Pregnancy pillows help to decrease the pressure around your hips and pubic bone by allowing your legs to be positioned parallel to each other. A pregnancy pillow can also double as a nursing pillow after the baby is born.

Pregnancy pillows are also great for:

  • Having a restful night's sleep
  • Providing back and neck support
  • Reducing stress levels 
  • Reducing pregnancy-induced oedema, which is essentially water retention.

Choosing a pregnancy pillow for a queen bed

You may wonder if there is a difference between twin, queen and king-sized beds. Does it make a difference which type of pillows you purchase and use for each one? When it comes to pregnancy pillows, the size of your bed plays a huge role in decision-making. 

Queen-sized beds are slightly smaller than king-sized beds but big enough to fit two people comfortably. In that case, it’s perfectly okay to have a full-body pillow if you have the whole bed to yourself. If, however, you sleep next to someone, a large pillow might affect the harmony in your bedroom. 

In this case, you could try positioning the pillow between you and your partner so you can both experience some level of comfort. Although, having a large pillow may feel overwhelming on a queen-sized bed.

We would recommend opting for a V-shaped pillow instead like the Slumberdown V-shaped pillow or the Snuggledown V-shaped pillow. 

You can also use this pillow in many different ways. Either place it behind your back, around your neck or use it to cuddle and place between your legs. Whichever works best for you!

Best pillows for pregnant women sleeping on a queen bed

Now we’ve gone through the various types of pregnancy pillows, which ones are most suitable for a queen bed? Here are a few options you can choose from if you’re in need of some support during your pregnancy:

1. Slumberdown V Shaped Medium Support Pillow

As mentioned above, the Slumberdown V-shaped pregnancy pillow offers expectant mothers moderate support for sitting upright as well as sleeping in their queen sized bed. Its V-shaped design provides support to your spin, your sides and the back of your neck while lessening any aches and pains.

This traditional hollowfibre pillow aligns well with your pregnant body. You can be assured that you’ll have plenty of comfort and rest with this pillow! This product is excellent for nursing mothers and is machine washable. It has an easy-care polycotton pillowcase and is non-allergic. 

Key factors:

  • Firmness: This V-shaped pregnancy pillow offers mothers medium support during their pregnancy.
  • Cover material: This pregnancy pillow is made of 50% polyester and 50% cotton. The maternity pillow strikes a good balance between breathability and strength.
  • Filling material: The pillow is filled with 100% hollowfibre. Hollowfibre is affordable, good quality, and requires very little maintenance compared to other materials.

2. Slumberdown Body Support Pillow

Sleeping with the Slumberdown Body Support Pillow feels like receiving a big bear hug. It provides pregnant mothers with proper body and spine alignment as well as cushioning support. This product is filled with hypoallergenic hollowfibre that moulds to the shape of your body and can be used in many ways to make you feel comfortable.

This versatile pillow is predominantly aimed at side sleepers and can be used while reading, watching TV, nursing your infant, or during recovery after surgery. This full-body support pillow alleviates the tension put on joints and muscles, allowing you to enjoy a good night's rest.

It caters to pregnant women and people suffering from fibromyalgia, restless leg syndrome, arthritis, acid reflux, and pelvic girdle pain. This pillow comes with a 100% cotton pillowcase that is light and breathable, perfect for pregnant women.

Key factors:

  • Firmness: This full-body pillow offers mothers medium support during their pregnancy.
  • Cover material: 100% cotton.
  • Filling material: 100% hollowfibre.

3. Snuggledown V Shape Firm Support Pillow

Another option to consider is this Snuggledown V-shape firm support pillow which aims to support the neck, spine, and back while sleeping. This pillow is also non-allergenic, which means it's suitable for people who suffer from allergies. The V-shaped pillow moulds to your body, making it perfect for nursing mothers and providing firm support. 

Key factors:

  • Firmness: Firm
  • Cover material: 50% polyester, 50% cotton.
  • Filling material: 100% hollowfibre.

Factors to consider when choosing the best pregnancy pillow

  1. Size and weight

Queen-sized beds are typically around 152 cm in width by 203 cm in length (or 60 inches ft by 80 inches). When shopping for a pregnancy pillow, it’s important to make sure you get the right measurements since maternity pillows come in all shapes and sizes. 

What to consider:

  • Have the right measurements for your bed, so you don’t purchase a pillow that is too big or too small. 
  • Assess whether you want soft pillows or firm pillows. 

For more information, read our ultimate guide on pregnancy pillow sizes!

  1. Shape

Maternity pillows can come in the form of many shapes.

  • Wedge-shaped pillows are small, compact and angular. These pillows are best placed behind your head and upper body so you can sit upright.
  • U-shaped pregnancy pillows are bigger and hug the body. You can wrap them around your neck and have armrests on either side of your body, creating a snug feeling. 
  • If you want to opt for a bigger pillow, this means you need to take into consideration the size of your bed. 
  1. Fabric

Having a pregnancy pillow made from the wrong material will likely hinder your level of comfort. You should consider purchasing a pregnancy pillow that is made from a light and breathable fabric.

What to consider: 

  • Polyester is stretchier and more durable but not as breathable.
  • Organic cotton is naturally breathable and hypoallergenic. It aids sleep, is odour free and does not stick to your body. It's vital that you buy a pillow that is machine washable and comes with a removable cover. 

FAQs

Is a pregnancy pillow worth it?

Yes! A good pregnancy pillow assists women by providing back support, belly support, and hip support. If you’re looking for ways to get a better night's sleep, it’s worth investing in a pregnancy pillow. 

At what month do you need a pregnancy pillow?

A doctor usually instructs patients to purchase a pregnancy pillow around four months as this is when a woman starts to gain weight. Having added pressure can affect your joints and ligaments, so it’s best you make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

Is C-shaped or U-shaped pregnancy pillow better?

A C-shaped pregnancy pillow is more compact than a U-shaped pillow but won't offer full body support. The U-shaped pillow takes up more space but provides 100% support. 

How much sleep does a pregnant woman require?

Generally, pregnant women need to get between seven and nine hours of sleep each day. However, it can be difficult to meet those recommended hours as many women complain about various sleep disturbances they had during the night.

There are a few things ways you can combat this: 

  • Purchase a comfy new mattress or mattress topper
  • Draw up a sleep schedule
  • Try relaxation exercises to keep restless legs at bay
  • Use a pregnancy pillow
  • Read up on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Improve your bedding with Sleepseeker

Finding the right sleeping aid for your queen sized bed can be tricky, but at Sleepseeker we have a wide range of duvets, pillows, pet bedding and mattress protectors that are perfect for supporting you while you rest. 

Check out our blog for more information regarding pregnancy pillows and how you can find the best ways to improve your sleep. 

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