How Do I Know If I Need A Pregnancy Pillow?

When my best friend found out she was pregnant, she immediately started worrying about every little thing, including how to get a good night's sleep. As a neonatal nurse, I’ve seen many mothers-to-be struggle with sleep, so I recommended she try a pregnancy pillow.

She hesitated at first, wondering if it was really necessary. If you’re in the same boat, wondering if you need a pregnancy pillow, let’s dive into the details.

If you’re struggling with finding a comfortable sleeping position, experiencing back or hip pain, or waking up frequently at night, a pregnancy pillow can provide the necessary support to improve your sleep quality and overall comfort.

What Are Pregnancy Pillows and How Do They Work?

Many expectant mothers question the effectiveness of pregnancy pillows, and the answer is often a definitive yes—they do work. These pillows are specifically crafted to provide vital support to your growing belly, back, and hips, ensuring your spine remains aligned and discomfort is minimised. 

Why Is a Pregnancy Pillow Important?

Using a pregnancy pillow can greatly enhance sleep quality and overall well-being during pregnancy by addressing several crucial aspects:

• Improving Restfulness: A pregnancy pillow helps you find a comfortable sleeping position, making it easier to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, resulting in better rest and reduced fatigue.
• Supporting Foetal Health: By ensuring you get adequate sleep, a pregnancy pillow supports better outcomes during pregnancy. Quality sleep boosts your immune system, mood, and ability to handle the physical and emotional demands of pregnancy.
• Avoiding Vena Cava Compression: A pregnancy pillow keeps you in a side-sleeping position, preventing you from rolling onto your back, which can compress the inferior vena cava and decrease blood flow to your heart and baby.
• Promoting Blood Flow: By encouraging side-sleeping, especially on your left side, a pregnancy pillow promotes better blood flow to your heart and placenta, ensuring your baby receives optimal oxygen and nutrients.
• Easing Pregnancy Discomforts: Pregnancy pillows provide targeted support to alleviate common pregnancy discomforts such as back pain, hip pain, and heartburn, helping you maintain a comfortable position throughout the night.
• Reducing Pressure on Organs: These pillows offer necessary support to reduce pressure on your liver, kidneys, and other vital organs, enhancing overall comfort and function.
• Enhancing Overall Health: Quality sleep, aided by a pregnancy pillow, helps you stay healthy and happy during pregnancy. It supports your immune system, mood, and ability to cope with the physical and emotional demands of this unique time.

Signs You Might Need a Pregnancy Pillow

Difficulty Sleeping

If you find yourself tossing and turning at night, unable to find a comfortable position, a pregnancy pillow might be just what you need. These pillows are designed to cradle your body and provide support where it’s needed most.

Experiencing Pain or Discomfort

Back, hip, or pelvic pain is a common issue during pregnancy. A pregnancy pillow can help alleviate these pains by providing proper support and alignment. Additionally, if you experience swelling in your legs or feet, elevating them with a pregnancy pillow can help reduce the discomfort.

Preventing Rolling onto Your Back

If you have trouble staying on your side or wake up frequently due to discomfort, a pregnancy pillow can help keep you in a comfortable side-sleeping position. This can prevent you from rolling onto your back, which is not recommended during the later stages of pregnancy and can compress the vena cava, reducing blood flow to your baby.

Types of Sleepers Who Benefit Most from Pregnancy Pillows

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers will find pregnancy pillows particularly beneficial, as they help support the body in this position. By keeping the spine aligned and reducing pressure on the hips, these pillows can make side sleeping much more comfortable.

Back Sleepers Transitioning to Side Sleeping

For those who are accustomed to sleeping on their back, transitioning to side sleeping can be challenging. A pregnancy pillow, especially a wedge-shaped one, can help make this transition easier by providing the necessary support and preventing you from rolling onto your back. The wedge shape is designed to fit snugly against your back or belly, creating a barrier that keeps you comfortably on your side throughout the night.

Women with Pre-existing Conditions

If you have pre-existing conditions like back pain or sciatica, a pregnancy pillow can provide the extra support needed to alleviate discomfort and improve your sleep quality. These pillows help by maintaining proper spinal alignment and reducing pressure on sensitive areas, which can significantly reduce pain. 

Are There Any Women Who Might Not Need a Pregnancy Pillow?

Some women might already sleep comfortably with regular pillows and may not feel the need for a pregnancy pillow. However, most women will benefit from the additional support and comfort that a pregnancy pillow provides.

Different Types of Pregnancy Pillows and Their Uses

When it comes to pregnancy pillows, there are various shapes to consider, each catering to different needs. Full body pregnancy pillows and C-shaped or U-shaped pillows offer overall support for your belly, back, and hips, helping with general comfort and positioning. 

However, for side sleeping and specifically preventing rolling onto your back, a wedge pillow is the best choice. Wedge pillows are smaller and can be strategically placed under your belly, back, or knees for targeted support. If you want to dive deeper into which pillow shape is best for different needs, I recently wrote an article on this topic that you might find helpful.

How to Choose the Right Pregnancy Pillow for You

• Sleeping Position: Think about your preferred sleeping position. If you're a side sleeper, a wedge pillow, like our Butterfly Maternity Pillow®, is highly recommended as it provides targeted support and helps maintain a side-sleeping position. 
• Type of Support Needed: Identify where you need the most support. For targeted support, particularly under your belly or behind your back, a wedge pillow is an excellent choice. It helps prevent you from rolling onto your back, which is crucial during pregnancy. If you need full-body support, consider a larger pillow.
• Size of Your Bed: Consider the size of your bed. Wedge pillows are compact and fit easily into any bed size, making them a convenient choice. Full-body and U-shaped pillows can be quite large, so make sure you have enough space to accommodate them comfortably.
• Personal Preferences: Your comfort is paramount. Some people prefer the firmness and targeted support of a wedge pillow, while others might opt for a full-body pillow. Try different types to see what suits you best.
• Material and Maintenance: Look for pillows with removable, washable covers for easy maintenance. Consider materials that are hypoallergenic and breathable for added comfort. Our Butterfly Maternity Pillow® comes with Tencel removable, washable covers, making it easy to keep your pillow clean and fresh.
• Budget: Pregnancy pillows come in various price ranges. While it's important to invest in a quality pillow, there are good options available for different budgets. Wedge pillows tend to be more affordable while still providing excellent support.

For an in-depth guide on getting to sleep, and staying asleep, while pregnant, check out this guide I recently wrote running through 19 pregnant sleep tips. 

FAQs About Pregnancy Pillows

How early in pregnancy should I start using a pregnancy pillow?

It's best to start using a pregnancy pillow as soon as you begin to feel discomfort, typically in the second trimester, but earlier if you prefer.

Can a pregnancy pillow help with back pain?

Yes, pregnancy pillows can help alleviate back pain by providing proper support and alignment for your spine and hips.

Is it worth investing in a pregnancy pillow?

Most women find pregnancy pillows highly beneficial for improving sleep quality and overall comfort during pregnancy.

Are there affordable pregnancy pillow options?

Yes, there are various pregnancy pillows available to fit different budgets, including high-quality yet affordable options. Check out our range of pregnancy pillows to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.

Closing Thoughts

Figuring out if a pregnancy pillow is right for you can feel overwhelming, but the right support can significantly improve your sleep and comfort during pregnancy.

At Butterfly Maternity, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the restful sleep you deserve. Explore our range of high-quality maternity pillows, designed to cater to your specific needs. Visit our store and discover how the right pregnancy pillow can transform your sleep experience. Rest easy with Butterfly Maternity.

*The shape of the Butterfly Maternity Pillow® is a registered trade mark of Weekly Sales Pty Ltd