You’re juggling a hundred if not thousands of tasks: work deadlines, grocery runs, meetings, and of course, the traffic that keeps you stuck. By the time you finally reach your bed, all you want is a soft, hugging pillow and the perfect cozy sleep temperature. Now these daily tasks become more hectic during pregnancy when your body is changing physically and mentally. Hence, quality sleep becomes more important than ever. 

That’s where the best pregnancy or maternity pillow comes in. It’s not a “must-have pregnancy essentials” for every pregnant woman, but for many expecting mothers, it can be a game-changer that makes rest and side sleep during pregnancy easier and more peaceful. 

From lowering back pain to supporting your growing belly, the right pillow can make a huge difference in your sleep quality. But how do you choose the best pregnancy pillow that suits you best? 

Read this blog by Cryovivia Singapore, known for its trusted private cord banking (which has successfully undergone international accreditation audit by AABB, to find your go-to Pregnancy Pillow: Its benefits and types.

What is a Pregnancy Pillow?

As the name suggests, a pillow is a specially designed cushion made to support your growing belly, back, and legs during pregnancy. It helps the mom-to-be to sleep comfortably by reducing extra pressure on the body and lowering back or hip pain. These pillows are available in different shapes, like C, U, or wedge. You can select them based on your comfort needs. 

The Benefits of Pregnancy Body Pillow Are:

• It may help relieve back, hip, and leg aches by giving you targeted support during sleep.​
• It could help improve sleep comfort, quality, and duration required during pregnancy.​
• Supports your growing belly.
• Eases pressure by reducing abdominal strain.​
• Promotes side sleeping, improving circulation for both mom and baby.​
• Aligns your spine and joints to maintain healthy posture as pregnancy progresses.​
• May reduce pregnancy complications by lowering pressure on blood vessels (such as the vena cava).​
• Improve the quality of your emotional health by helping you rest better and relax.​
• You can pack it in your hospital essentials as it can be reused postpartum for nursing, back support, or comfort during recovery.

Types of Pregnancy Pillows

There are many types of maternity pillows; the best you can choose is with professional help or according to which part of your body needs the most support.

Here are 5 best pregnancy pillows, tested by pregnant moms

• U-Shaped Pillow

• It has the following benefits:
• Full-body support
• Helps you smoothly toss and turn
• Better sleep alignment
• It support your following body parts:
• Head
• Neck
• Back
• Belly
• Hips
• Legs
  
  

• C-Shaped Pillow

• It has the following benefits:
• Curves automatically to fit the body
• Decreases pressure on your lower back and hips
• It supports your following body parts:
• Head
• Neck
• Back
• Belly
• Knees

​
J-Shaped Pillow

• It has the following benefits:
• Offers support with less bulk
• Helps with side sleeping
• Better hips and spine alignment
• It supports your following body parts:
• Head
• Neck
• Belly
• Back
• Legs depend on position
  
  

• Wedge Pillow

• It has the following benefits:
• Good for targeted relief
• Portable and small
• Good for belly or back support
• It supports your following body parts (depending on placement):
• Belly
• Back
• Hips
  
  

• Full-Length (I-Shaped) Pillow

• It has the following benefits:
• It has body hugging design
• Customizable position
• Take less space 
• It support your following body parts:
• Belly
• Legs (can be hugged for comfort)
• Sometimes arms

How to Choose the Best Pregnancy Pillow

When choosing the best pregnancy pillow, the pro-tip is to choose one that helps with side sleeping. According to early studies, sleeping on the left side is the best position for a healthy pregnancy. Side sleeping could help lower rates of late-term stillbirth when compared to back or right-side sleeping positions. 

Here are the tips to consider before buying a pregnancy or maternity pillow for yourself: 

• Helps with Side Sleeping

The selected pillow should make left-side sleeping easier for good circulation for both mother and baby.

• Support Your Problem Region

Buy a pregnancy pillow that targets the body region where you feel pain, such as the belly, back, hips, or knees.

• Have the Right Shape

Different pillow shapes have different purposes. U- or C-shaped maternity pillows offer full-body support. Whereas wedge or body pillows are good for targeted relief.

• Quality Filling Material

Pick the one that is comfortable and safe for you. Polyester is breathable, foam helps you with firm support, and organic options avoid chemicals.

• Custom Fit

Some pillows can be adjusted for firmness or length. Choose one of them if you need more support as pregnancy progresses.

• Easy-to-Clean

Pick a maternity pillow with a removable, washable cover to maintain hygiene and easy cleaning.

• Maintain Cozy Temperature 

If you live in a hot climate, pick pillows with cooling or breathable fabrics to prevent overheating at night. And vice versa.

• Size and Bed Space

This is an important point; make sure your selected pillow fits your bed and sleeping environment, particularly if you share the bed with a partner.

Conclusion

Pregnancy brings waves of physical, mental, and emotional changes, making restful sleep a bit challenging. Ensuring quality sleep (especially left-side sleeping) to support your health and your baby’s becomes crucial. 

And to get the optimal sleep, if you think a pregnancy pillow could help, but are unsure which one to choose, take professional help for the right fit. The good thing is you can pack this pillow while preparing your hospital essential bag, so you feel comfortable and supported during postpartum recovery. 

Also, do you want to think beyond the basics, like many Singaporean parents? They are investing in their child’s future health by storing their baby’s cord blood. If you are also considering protecting your child against future health conditions, contact Cryoviva Singapore. We offer expert services to store cord blood, the best investment you can give your child for lifelong health support. 

Watch the testimonials: Mr. Korn and Mrs. Sririta have chosen to store stem cells for Kawin, their son.

FAQs

• When should you start using your pregnancy pillow?

You can begin using a pregnancy pillow as soon as you feel uncomfortable sleeping (generally during the second trimester) to improve sleep quality.

• Which type of pillow is best for pregnancy?

It depends on which body part you want to target and the sleeping position. U-shaped and C-shaped pillows are best for full-body support, while wedges provide targeted relief for belly or back.

• Is a pregnancy pillow really useful?

Yes, a pregnancy pillow reduces aches, improves sleep posture, and promotes safer side sleeping. However, it is not compulsory.

• What are the benefits of the pregnancy pillow?

Pregnancy pillows offer many benefits, including support for your belly, back, hips, and legs, improve circulation, reduce back pain, and help maintain a healthy sleep position.