Sleeping can be difficult when you are pregnant. In fact, at times it can be almost impossible to drift off and get a good night's sleep. This could be down to a variety of factors such as pain, discomfort, stress, anxiety or just plain excitement at the thought of becoming a new parent!

But, getting an adequate amount of sleep when expecting is vital. Let's be honest, it takes quite a lot to grow another human inside your tummy! And you'll need all the sleep you can get once your new baby has arrived, who will be wanting lots of attention both day and night.

In this guide, we will talk you through the multitude of benefits that using a pregnancy pillow can bring, as well as the different types of pregnancy support pillows available and what to look out for when choosing the best one for you.

Why are pregnancy pillows so popular?

Pregnancy pillows, sometimes also known as maternity pillows, are the perfect way to ensure you get a great night's rest when you are an expectant mum. If you are thinking these pillows are just like the regular ones but longer, you'd be wrong!

These wonderful pillows are specially designed with the ever-changing pregnancy body in mind, supporting you where you need it most.

Many people often overlook the fact that it isn't just giving birth that is painful; carrying a tiny yet ever-growing human inside of you certainly isn't without its physical challenges. With that comes a need for comfort and lots of it, whenever and wherever you can get it. One thing a pregnancy pillow will do is provide comfort in abundance!

Pregnancy pillows come in a range of designs and sizes. Some are portable, some are made with memory foam, some support just the back, and others provide instant relief for the entire body. The choice is yours. And there's a lot of choice in today's market.

So why exactly are so many women turning to pregnancy pillows to help get them off to sleep? Let's talk about the benefits to your wellbeing in more detail.

What are the main benefits of pregnancy pillows?

There are so many wonderful and life-changing benefits to using a pregnancy pillow when you are expecting.

Encourages better sleep

As we've mentioned, getting an uninterrupted night of sleep can be difficult. But did you know it's extremely important to your baby's health to get enough good-quality sleep? Pregnant women should be getting at least 8 hours of solid sleep each night, increasing to 10 in the few weeks before giving birth.

However, it's easier said than done! Tossing and turning in the night while you attempt to find a comfortable sleeping position can leave you groggy and more tired than ever the next day. With the right pregnancy pillow, this won’t be an issue. Body pillows will give you the extra support and comfort needed so you can slip off to dreamland in no time at all.

These pillows will help keep you in position too, so you won't run the risk of getting into a position that's uncomfortable and leaves you aching the next day. If you decide you want to change your sleeping position, pregnancy pillows usually won't require much adjusting at all, meaning you won't be woken up if you turn.

Relieves discomfort

A pregnant woman's body goes through some truly remarkable changes, including weight gain. On average, a woman can expect to put on at least two stones throughout her pregnancy.

Extra weight can lead to additional aches and pains. A maternity pillow can take some stress off your back, head, neck, ankles, knees, hips and pelvic area, depending on what type you choose.

Promotes muscle relaxation

With the right support, your muscles can fully relax. After all, they are going through a lot during pregnancy. Using pregnancy pillows under your tired and aching muscles can help lighten the load and bring a sense of weightlessness to the affected area.

Aids general relaxation

A maternity pillow will give you a sense of calm, peace and security for the entire body. It will also provide you with a feeling of reassurance that you won't lie on your tummy when asleep, something that many pregnant women are concerned about.

Improves blood circulation

With great support comes improved blood circulation. Lying on your side can help open the lower back and the hips, which will improve your circulation in the legs, ankles and pelvic area.

Allows ample elevation

Maternity pillows can be used when you are sleeping or sitting to elevate the feet, which is great at preventing oedema caused by water retention. Or, if you suffer from acid reflux at night, you can use these pillows to prop up your torso to relieve any symptoms.

Provides support

With a pregnancy pillow, you can get support for every bit of your body that needs it. There’s a pillow for everything, whether you want to support your upper and lower back, neck, shoulders, growing baby bump, hips, pelvis, knees or ankles. A body support pillow will additionally allow you to align your spine perfectly, limiting back pain.

Gives better positioning

The right pregnancy pillow manoeuvred into your sleeping position can be all it takes to result in the comfiest position. It might sound odd, but this quick and simple action can bring a much more restful night. You will feel gently but firmly held in place as you drift off.

Limits snoring

Snoring can be troublesome. Not only can it be disruptive to your partner's slumbers, but it often wakes the person up themselves, although they might not notice it.

Being constantly awakened at night will lead to you feeling tired and not at your full potential the next day. A pregnancy pillow can be used against your back to minimise or eliminate snoring altogether.

Again, as these pillows keep you in place, you won't be prone to falling back into a position where you will likely snore again.

Minimises allergies

Many pillows today are created from hypoallergenic materials. If you already suffered from allergies before pregnancy, you'll likely continue to experience them when expecting. This can make sleeping even more difficult.

However, anti-allergy pillows will help minimise the effects of any sensitivities or allergies, hopefully leading to an improved night's sleep.

Lowers heart rate

When you are calm, your heart rate slows down. With the right supportive pillow, you could reduce your stress levels, causing your heart rate to lower a little bit.

Help shorten labour

You may find your ears perking to the sound of this next benefit! Did you know that less tossing and turning in the night can mean a quicker and more straightforward birth? Sleeping soundly allows your baby to keep in the prime position for making their entrance into the world.

Postpartum use

Last but not least, once you give birth you can continue to use many different types of pregnancy pillows. It can help you find the perfect position to prop yourself up to breastfeed so your baby can latch on correctly.

Choosing your maternity pillow

What type of pregnancy pillow you decide to use is up to you. But in case you need any help, we've briefly outlined the different types and how they can be used.

U-shaped pillows

A U-shaped pregnancy pillow is a popular choice to help relieve body aches and pains. It aligns the spine and supports the whole body, not just one area. U-shaped pregnancy pillows also have the distinct advantage of not moving around, so you won't find yourself waking to readjust it if you turn over during the night.

As far as pregnancy pillows go, they aren't the smallest choice out there, so it might not be ideal if you sleep next to your partner or have a small bed.

J-shaped pillows

A J-shaped pillow is just like a U-shaped pillow, except that it is missing one side. They are great if you don't have much room in your bed and offer brilliant support to the back and neck, which can help back aches.

C-shaped pillows

A C-shaped pregnancy pillow supports the pelvic area, the back and the head. It can also help if water retention in your legs is a problem during pregnancy. A C-shaped pillow can at times move during the night, so this is something to be mindful of if you do decide on this type.

Wedge Pillows

A wedge-shaped pillow allows you to sleep comfortably when you are in a side sleeping position, providing relief to your growing belly and back. Pregnancy wedge pillows can also be used when you are sitting as it can be placed behind the back to offer lots of support if you are reading or watching TV.

They can be placed between the knees to provide some much-needed relief to these joints and, due to the smaller size of the wedge pillow, it can come anywhere with you.

Full-length pillows

A full-length body pillow does exactly as it says, running along the entire length of your body. These are perfect for cuddling and provide support for large sections of your changing body.

FAQs about pregnancy pillows

Are pregnancy pillows safe for both me and my baby bump?

Pregnancy pillows are completely safe for both you and your growing baby and they also come highly recommended by many healthcare professionals. They give you all the support you need, prevent aches and pains, keep you in the best position and allow you to have a night of wonderfully refreshing sleep so you are at your very best the next day.

When can I start using a pregnancy pillow?

There's no right time to start using a pregnancy support pillow. Once you start feeling discomfort or growing pain, it is probably the best time to start. Many women find they begin to start using them at the very start of their second trimester, while others will wait until around weeks 20 to begin. The choice is all yours.

Can I use a pregnancy support pillow as a nursing pillow once my baby is born?

Yes, certain types of pregnancy support pillows can be used as a nursing pillow once your little bundle of joy has joined the world! A wedge-shaped pregnancy pillow is perfect for the job, but some other designs would also work well to get the baby into the best position to feed.

Why is a normal pillow not recommended during pregnancy?

Simply put, a standard pillow will not provide all of the support pregnant women require and should not be used as a maternity pillow. They also cannot be adapted to your changing body as the baby continues to grow and become bigger. They also tend to slide around and need repositioning during the night, waking you up.

Discover the perfect pregnancy pillow for you

Pregnancy is not easy. However, when you get a great night's sleep, everything in life feels more manageable.

When sleep is more important than ever, there's no point in risking disrupted slumber when all it takes is something as simple and affordable as a pregnancy pillow to make the snoozing side of things so much easier.

Many pregnant women will vouch for the usefulness of pregnancy pillows during their pregnancy. As the right maternity pillow will provide women with full-body support, pain relief, relaxation, security, and breastfeeding support once the baby arrives, it is no wonder why so many use them.

We hope this guide to the benefits of a pregnancy pillow has been helpful in allowing you to see just how useful these are for many pregnant women and how they might just help improve your pregnancy too.

For more guides on pregnancy pillows, check out the pages below:

Let Sleepseeker help you get a great night's sleep! Check out our fantastic range of pillows, duvets, and especially our wellbeing range which has some great products that will surely help those who are pregnant drift off to sleep with ease.