Made for use in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy, pregnancy pillows are ergonomic supports specifically designed to combat common sleep concerns and to reduce aches and pains.
Having a soft but sturdy support can really help to take the pressure off your hips, back and bump during the day, as well as keep your neck, spine and hips aligned properly during sleep.
With so many on the market, it can be difficult to choose which will suit you best. It’s a good idea to first think about what sort of result you’re wanting from a pillow. Do you struggle to stay on your side (as recommended by the NHS) during the night and find yourself rolling onto your back? Would you like something that will take you from pregnancy to postnatal? Consider as well the kind of material you would like: a breathable, jersey or cotton support, or something more cosy? And, of course, there’s the cost to keep in mind.
Leah Hazard, midwife and author of bestseller Hard Pushed: A Midwife’s Story (£17.31, Amazon.co.uk) and host of podcast What the Midwife Said says: “Pregnancy pillows can be great tools for preventing and easing the discomfort that can be part and parcel of any pregnancy, from backache to pelvic-girdle pain and leg cramps.”
She adds: “These pillows can even be used to help you maintain more comfortable, gravity-efficient positions in labour, and can be excellent props for breast or bottle-feeding once your little one has arrived.”
How we tested
To discover the best pregnancy pillows, we thoroughly tested a range of offerings at varying price points for their comfort, support, value for money, innovation and versatility during our third trimester. These pillows were tested throughout the day for their support and functionality as well as during sleep. We’ve included one to suit every sleep preference and budget.
The best pregnancy pillows for 2023 are:
- Best overall – Purflo breathe pregnancy pillow, botanical: £59, Purflo.com
- Best full-body pillow – Kally sleep body pillow: £44.99, Kallysleep.com
- Best for hip support – Little Chick London’s 4-in-1 pregnancy support pillow: £25.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best luxury pillow – Bbhugme pregnancy pillow: £153, Bbhugme.com
- Best for left-side sleeping – Dreamgenii pregnancy support and feeding pillow: £52, Argos.co.uk
- Best for back support – Silentnight body support pillow: £35, Silentnight.co.uk
- Best for versatility – Niimo multifunctional pregnancy pillow and breastfeeding pillow: £32.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best value for money – Mother&Baby organic cotton support V pillow wedge set: £24.99, Cuddleco.co.uk
- Best innovation – Bellamoon the pregnancy and nursing 3-in-1 pillow: £99, Bellamoon.co