Pregnancy Pillows: How to Get More Sleep When You're Expecting

The final weeks of pregnancy are full of joy and anticipation. It’s the time to prepare a room for the new baby, to wash and fold all of the tiny little clothes, and to rest up for the big arrival. Unfortunately, during these last weeks when we should be enjoying uninterrupted sleep while we can, we often find ourselves too uncomfortable to sleep well. We endure backaches, our hips hurt, round ligament pain from our stretching uterus jerks us out of sleep when we roll over, and heartburn makes us feel like our upper digestive system will never be the same. And all of this is on top of the fact that we have to heave ourselves out of bed and lumber to the bathroom to pee every two hours.

While not much can help the need for frequent urination, one of the best pregnancy pillow choices can help with many of the other common symptoms that keep us awake during the third trimester.

Pregnancy pillows come in several popular shapes. What are the different types of the best pregnancy pillows available, and how do we best use them?

How to Use The Best Pregnancy Pillow in the C-Shape Design

The most common of the best pregnancy pillows being used today is the C-shaped pillow. This pillow resembles a puffy comma and is ideal for side-lying. Lying on the left side is considered the ideal sleep position for pregnant women. The C-shaped pillow provides support for the head, back, neck, and the growing abdomen. The bottom curve of the C is ideal to place between the thighs to support alignment and relieve round ligament pain.

To use a C-shaped pregnancy pillow, start by placing the pillow on the bed where you normally lie down. Place it with the open end pointing to the side you wish to sleep on. Position yourself in the gap between the two curves of the C and then arrange the top curve beneath your head and neck, and the bottom curve between your thighs. The inside back of the C should be supporting your back, and the top of the bottom curve will support your abdomen.

The only negative to the C-shaped pregnancy pillow is the fact that you have to rearrange it every time you switch sides. Maybe doing this each time you return to bed after urinating will work well for a better night’s sleep!

How to Use The Best Pregnancy Pillow in the U-Shape Design

Another popular choice is the U-shaped pregnancy pillow. These resemble a large U and support your head, neck, spine, abdomen, knees, and ankles. The U-shaped pillow may be the best pregnancy pillow for sleeping on the back or the side and doesn’t need to be readjusted when switching sides. The U shape surrounds you with pillows and offers comfort and support for the entire body. Simply place the pillow with the open end downward and position yourself in the center. One side supports your back and the other supports your abdomen, with the bottom of the U leg between the thighs.

One negative aspect of the U-Shaped pillow is its large size. These are practical only if you have a king-sized bed or sleep in a smaller bed without a partner.

How to Use the Best Pregnancy Pillow in the Wedge Shape

The wedge-shaped pregnancy pillow is smaller and less intrusive than the other options and is designed more specifically to offer support for the growing abdomen when lying in a side-sleeping position. Place the narrow end of the wedge beneath your middle so the side of your heavy belly is supported by the wedge. The wedge can also be used between the thighs to support spinal alignment and prevent round ligament pain.

Another popular use for the best pregnancy pillows in the wedge shape is to raise the upper body into a semi-reclined position to ease heartburn.

How to Use the Best Pregnancy Pillow in the J-Shaped Design

J-shaped pregnancy pillows serve a function similar to the U-shape but support only one side. It’s versatile and can be used in one direction to support the back and neck, or in the reverse direction to support the belly and thighs.

While these are the most common and popular pregnancy pillow designs, there are other shapes available for more specific purposes. The best pregnancy pillows also offer support for various breastfeeding positions after the new arrival, making them versatile and both mother and baby-friendly!

Resources— WikiHow, MySlumberYard, AmericanPregnancy.org

Coleen Figner (1302 Articles Published)

I am a mother of four and a freelance writer. I'm also the author of the novel, "The Harbinger," by Coleen Figner, now available on Kindle eBook. I have spent most of my life in the historical town of Micanopy, Florida. I spend quality time engaged in social media and I've used online research platforms extensively both for writing and for shopping research. Unlike most women, I hate malls and department stores. I do the bulk of my shopping online. I love the idea of a platform doing the research and comparison work to make online shopping easier for consumers. ReviewThis has given me the opportunity to engage in online shopping research even when I'm not doing the buying! (Though I've been known to splurge on some of the top-rated products for myself.)

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