The Best Pregnancy Pillows to Help Get the Sleep You Need

Easily adjustable, useful from the start of your pregnancy to your days of postpartum and designed to work with most body types, the PharMeDoc pregnancy pillow is an affordable option that’ll help bridge the gap between you and a good night's sleep. 

It features a detachable extension piece that can be used with the main U-shaped pillow, or as a separate support for your head and neck (instead of using the main pillow for your head). And even after your baby has arrived, you can use the detachable portion to support your arms while nursing. The contoured curves hug the shape of your body and bump for proper support. The cover is cool to the touch, a feature that’ll come in handy when the pregnancy sweats strike.

Babylist parent Cassie K., who used this pillow through two pregnancies, says that not only is the cooling cover actually cool (albeit a bit slippery), the detachable portion “added customization options for different needs as my body changed and I got increasingly uncomfortable. By the end, I was using the zip-off part in between my legs to stay comfortable.” You can also slip the cover off and toss it in the wash.

The U-shape type of pregnancy pillow is typically the largest option available and this one is exactly that. While the large, full 360-degree size allows you to flip and turn without adjusting the pillow—and that may be what you want—it will eat up quite a bit of space in your bed.

Designed by a registered nurse and mom, “this C-shaped pillow provides full-body support, including the head, neck, back, hips and belly. It’s versatile and can be adjusted for different sleeping positions,” says Dr. Crouch, who recommends the Snoogle. Depending on the direction you place the C-shape, the entire length of your back or torso can be cushioned, and in both positions, you can tuck the lower hook of the pillow between your knees and thighs (to align your spine and take pressure off of your pelvis and hips). Similar to the PharMeDoc pillow in that it’s full-length, the Snoogle shape takes up half of the amount of bed space since there’s only one long end (which may be a priority if you’re sharing your bed or have a smaller sleep space). 

Some reviewers have said that it’s on the firmer side, which is something to keep in mind if you prefer to rest your head on down-like softness, as you have to use this pillow for your body and head. And since this is a C-shaped pillow, you’ll have to haul it from one side to the other every time you flip over in your sleep, and it’s weighty (about 5 pounds) compared to other options—so if you’re a tossing-and-turning type of sleeper, the U-shape PharMeDoc pillow might be a better option.

If a full-size pillow feels like it’s too much for you, check out a wedge. This firm foam cushion helps to ease pressure wherever you hurt: your back, your belly or between your knees. Dr. Crouch likes that it’s “compact and great for targeted support.” It’s a great option for the first half of pregnancy when your bump is just emerging and you need a smidgen of extra support without going full-length. Babylist managing editor Shannon R. says this is perfect for light support as well as a handy travel companion and after pregnancy as well: “I flew with that thing if I had to go out of town. And after I was pregnant, I continued to use the wedge for between-the-knee support.” 

We love how compact this pillow is, but that can be a drawback if you’re trying to manage pelvic pressure and back pain, as it can only relieve aches from one part of your body at a time. Also, if you’re an active sleeper, you’ll have to readjust the placement every time you move.

Boppy’s Total Body Pillow is similar to the Snoogle, but takes up less bed space and is shorter, making it a great option for smaller body types (the larger pillows can feel like they swallow you up). The middle portion of the pillow is shallow, so you can twist and fold each side to create a supportive back pillow to use while sitting up. The contoured edges hug your body for a comfortable, snug feel. One Babylist user said, “I bought this pillow a couple of months ago because I was struggling to get comfortable and sleep at night. As someone who has struggled with back pain, this pillow has revolutionized how I sleep. I wake up feeling rested, no back pain, and I can easily prop myself up if my allergies are acting up.”

The compact size is ideal for optimizing your bed space, but if you’re taller, the contoured pieces might not line up exactly where your body needs the most support. For perspective, the other two full-length, curved pillows on our list are 53 inches long and 60 inches long while this one is 48 inches in length.

Filled with tiny polystyrene foam beads (think bean bag chair), this unique pregnancy pillow can be twisted into every shape possible, allowing you to customize the fit to your body. Compared to the other pillows on our list, this one is slimmer and won’t take up as much space in your bed. Along with the ability to adjust the shape, you can change the firmness by squeezing the beads to one end for a firmer or softer feel. Babylist team member Aimee B. said she used this pillow for both of her pregnancies and loved it so much that she ordered one when she traveled out of state to use for two weeks, “because I knew I wouldn't sleep without it.” 

I used this pillow during the last few weeks of my pregnancy, and being able to instantly change the firmness was indispensable. Plus the bead filling gave the pillow extra breathability, and with a late summer due date, I appreciated its coolness. With this one, you can use your own bed pillow for your head, a major plus if you have a favorite pillow. One thing I’d note is that it takes some maneuvering to find the right twists and folds to create the right support for you.

The recommended sleep position for pregnant people is on their side (to make sure blood is flowing freely to your uterus and baby)—which can be bad news for dedicated back sleepers, but this pillow can help you get used to sleeping on your side. It has two puffy, wedge cushions tethered together by a band of stretchy, jersey fabric; one cushion supports your belly while the other supports your back, preventing you from rolling onto your stomach or back in the middle of the night. And if you want to flip to your other side, you don’t have to adjust or move the pillow. Babylist team member Emily M. liked this one over larger options because it “took up less space and gave me support where I needed it around my bump.”  Both the pillow and the cover are machine washable. 

Since this one targets your bump and back, you may need an extra pillow to prop up your leg and align your hips for pelvic support.

Shaped like a wide pool noodle, this adjustable pregnancy pillow can be bent, folded and wrapped around your body for customized support. Similar to the Frida Mom pillow, the firmness of the Coop Home Goods pillow can be adjusted to your liking, but the difference is, you can remove some of the filling if you want a softer, sinkier feel. If you prefer a firmer, supportive feel, you can add extra filling (by purchasing extra bags of filling). Speaking of the filling, it’s a blend of crosscut microfiber and memory foam, which cradles your body; Babylist team member Kristina M. raved that the pillow “molded to me very well.”

I used this pillow during my pregnancy and I loved being able to snake my arms and legs around it and cuddle it to my body. I’m tall (5-foot-10-inches) and it was long enough that it felt like a full-length pillow, but since it’s more cylindrical versus a flatter, wider rectangle, it didn’t eat up all of the space in my bed. Similar to the Snoogle, this one is heavy (weighing in at 7 pounds) but since you can bend it into a U-shape, you won’t have to lug it from one side of your body to the other if you toss and turn. And while it’s one of the pricier options on our list, its lifespan may justify the cost—I handed this down to my mother-in-law, who uses it as a body pillow.