Choosing the best pregnancy pillow to bring you comfort can almost be a stressful chore.
Entering the third trimester brings an extra level of excitement and anticipation. You have made it to the final stretch and your baby is about to grow from 2 ½ pounds to 6-9 pounds during the next 12 weeks! This period of major growth for both baby and mom means more changes for your body and possibly your sleep schedule. Many moms report difficulty sleeping during pregnancy with heightened fatigue during their third trimester especially.
Considering the demands on your body and the emotional stress during this major life event, it’s no surprise that expecting moms experience trouble getting a good night’s rest. Many factors can contribute to difficulty sleeping while pregnant including changing hormone levels, nightly necessary trips to the bathroom and, a common complaint, just being plain uncomfortable!
As your belly increases in size and your baby is getting bigger and more busy, finding a comfortable sleeping position can be a challenge. Expecting mothers are advised to avoid sleeping on their backs as much as possible at this point as a heavy uterus can put too much pressure on nerves in the spine and a major vein that carries blood between the lower body and heart. The National Sleep Foundation recommends mothers-to-be sleep on their left side, helping the flow of blood and nutrients to both baby and mom.
Finding that elusive comfortable sleeping position to aid in getting a good night’s rest can seem impossible so experts recommend using pillows to provide support and help relieve pain. A pillow between the knees, one under your belly and a third behind your back can work, but an even better alternative is one pillow instead of 3 — the maternity pillow.
Pregnancy Pillows
A pregnancy pillow provides the perfect support to all the areas you need it most — helping you to finally get a restful night of sleep. Considering the limited options for safe sleeping positions and a growing bump adding pressure in your hips and back, a pregnancy pillow can provide the support at night and ease the aches and pains in the morning.
Here at Melon Bellies we offer two maternity pillows with different features to fit your needs and to help you get the sleep you need.
Choosing The Best Pregnancy Pillow
When shopping for the perfect pillow, you’ll want to keep in mind the size — pregnancy pillows can be a small wedge for supporting your back all the way up to the all-around support of a U-shaped pillow that will take up a lot more of the bed.
Another factor is the shape of the pillow. We are featuring the most popular – a C-shape and a U-shape – and you can choose based on where you feel you need the most support. Do you want a pillow that can hold up your back AND your belly? Then a U-shaped pillow will be more comfortable for you. If you want a full top-to-bottom support that cradles your head, belly and knees than a C-shape pillow might better serve your needs.
Finally, look at the material the pillow is made from. We love the minky cover on the Pregnancy Pillow, but if you’re known to run hot at night then you might prefer the cooler Moonlight Slumber pregnancy pillow.
Here are some more details about our favorite two maternity pillows to help you choose the best pregnancy pillow for your needs:
The Pregnancy Pillow
Featuring plush polyester filling and additional belly support, the Pregnancy Pillow is a 7 ½ ft C-shape pillow weighing in at about 6 1/2 lbs. The cover material is a cotton-poly and spandex blend and fully machine washable. The option for a super soft minky cover is a feature that sets these pillows apart from their competitors, making them the perfect pillow to snuggle up with for the last 3 months (or the whole 9!).
The zipper for the cover is hidden, staying out of your way while you sleep but still allowing for easy clean and removal. With the accommodating C-shape this pillow provides head, belly and knee support, making it an all-in-one pillow for your support needs. This shape is great for everyday use, supporting you when you sit up in bed and even after the baby is born for a comfortable breastfeeding support.
“The thing I loved best about using a pregnancy pillow was the support for your back and belly while you lay down. Also the support between your legs. Personally I like the “C” shape best because it is easier to stand from the bed through the opening in the middle than the “U” shape (especially when you have to wake up multiple times in the night for the bathroom with a big belly!)”. – Romina
Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U Full Body Pillow
Don’t be deceived by the name, this is no ordinary body pillow. This unique U-shaped pillow provides all around support for expecting moms. Guaranteed never to flatten, clump, or lump, the Comfort-U® full body pillow is long enough to allow you to stretch out, plump enough for support, and curved to perfectly cradle your body. Made with a synthetic down fiber this pillow is low-maintenance, lightweight and washable.
We love the easy-clean, zip-off cover and the fact that you can roll over in the night and still receive the same support thanks to the all-around shape. Mom’s experiencing lower back pain will appreciate the extra support that the U-shape offers in front and back.
“My pregnancy pillow supported my back, growing belly, and gave me extra support under my head. Also, tucking it between my legs relieved the pressure from my back towards the end.” -Cortnie
“I loved my pregnancy pillow! It cushioned my back just where I needed it most.” – Teri
Sleeping well is more important than an expectant mother might realize. Poor sleep has actually shown to have an effect on labor and delivery. One study found that women who slept fewer than 6 hours per night had longer labors and were 4.5. times more likely to have a c-section. A maternity pillow can provide the support, comfort and pressure relief that just might be the answer to a better, deeper and longer night of sleep — and, who knows, maybe even a better delivery.