Best Pregnancy Pillow UK: Shapes, Types and How to Choose
A pregnancy pillow is a long, shaped pillow that supports your bump, back and legs so you can stay comfortably on your side. The best one for you depends on your height, your bed size, how you sleep and how much bed space you are happy to give up. This guide explains the main shapes, what to look for and how to choose in the UK.
Please note: this is general information, not medical advice. Speak to your midwife or GP about sleep, pain or anything that worries you in pregnancy.
Why side sleeping matters later in pregnancy
In the third trimester, from 28 weeks, Tommy’s, the pregnancy charity, advises going to sleep on your side, on either side, including for daytime naps. The advice comes from research linking going to sleep on your back with a higher risk of stillbirth. The research does not prove cause, and the overall risk of stillbirth is very low, but the advice is simple and midwives commonly share it. If you wake up on your back, just roll onto your side again. A pregnancy pillow, or ordinary pillows placed behind your back, can make staying on your side easier.
Pregnancy pillow shapes
- U-shaped: wraps around you to support your back, bump and legs at once. It takes a lot of bed space and can make turning over awkward.
- C-shaped: supports your head, bump and the space between your knees on one side. It is less bulky, but you may need to reposition it when you change sides.
- Full-length body pillow: a straight, simple pillow you can hug and place between your knees. Flexible, and usually easier to fit in a bed.
- Wedge: a small triangular pillow for under your bump or behind your back. Compact, but it does not support your whole body.
Which type suits you?
| Type | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| U-shaped | Full-body support in one pillow | Bed space, and a partner may feel squeezed |
| C-shaped | Support with less bulk | Moving it when you switch sides |
| Full-length body pillow | Flexibility and a simple shape | May need an extra pillow behind your back |
| Wedge | Targeted support under the bump or back | Does not support your whole body |
What to look for when choosing
- Length: a longer pillow can wrap further, but check it suits your height and does not hang off the bed.
- Bed size: measure your bed and think about your partner’s space before choosing a large shape.
- Filling and feel: softer fillings are easier to squash, while firmer ones hold their shape. Check the product description.
- Temperature: pregnancy can make you feel warm at night, so a breathable cover can be worth having.
- Washable cover: a removable cover makes upkeep much easier.
- Ease of turning: you will be changing position often, so avoid anything you cannot move around easily.
- Returns: check the policy before you buy, since comfort is personal.
Back pain and pelvic discomfort
Many people find that a pillow between the knees and another behind the back helps them stay comfortable on their side. Pain in pregnancy still needs checking, though. Tell your midwife or GP about back or pelvic pain, especially if it is severe, new or getting worse.
Do you need a dedicated pregnancy pillow?
Not necessarily. A pillow between your knees, one behind your back and one under your bump can do much of the same job, and standard pillows are easy to reuse after the birth. Our guides to the best pillow for side sleeping and choosing a pillow for your sleeping position can help, and a multipack or set can be a practical way to build up a few extra pillows.
After the baby arrives
Never use a pregnancy pillow, a feeding pillow or an ordinary pillow as a sleeping surface for a baby. UK safe sleep guidance, for example from The Lullaby Trust, is that babies should sleep on a firm, flat surface with no pillows. A pregnancy pillow can still help to support you while you feed, as long as your baby is not left to sleep on it.
Our range
At the time of writing we do not sell dedicated pregnancy pillows. Our standard-size pillows work well for the knees-and-back approach above. If you are not sure which to choose, take our Pillow Finder quiz.
Pregnancy pillow FAQs
When should I start using a pregnancy pillow?
Whenever it helps you sleep comfortably. The side-sleeping advice applies from the third trimester, from 28 weeks, but some people use one earlier for comfort.
Which side should I sleep on?
Either side. Tommy’s advises that you can go to sleep on your left or your right.
Is a U-shaped or C-shaped pillow better?
Neither is better for everyone. U-shaped pillows give the most support but take the most space. C-shaped pillows are less bulky but need repositioning when you turn.
Can I sleep on my back early in pregnancy?
The advice focuses on the third trimester. Your midwife can advise you about earlier weeks if you are unsure.
Not sure what you need? Try our Pillow Finder or read our pillow guides.