Top 10 Best Pregnancy Pillows

1. Queen Rose Full Body Pregnancy Pillow

Full body pregnancy pillow, multi-functional with a dense, premium filling

The Queen Rose is our pick for the best value-for-money U-shaped pregnancy pillow to buy in Australia at the moment. It’s a multifunctional pillow that provides all round support and optimal sleep positioning for your changing body. You can also configure it to support you whilst nursing, relaxing on the couch or sitting upright.

Firm and long lasting, this body pillow is filled with a high quality poly-fill that won’t flatten or lose its shape. The U shape is perfectly suited for side sleepers, providing good support to your tummy, hips and knees no matter which side you are lying on. It can help provide relief from the pain associated with sciatica, poor posture and hip or back pain.

The hypoallergenic fabric feels soft on the skin, and is easy to remove and wash with an adjustable zipper.

This pillow is huge and surrounds you like a hug, so whilst very comfortable, it might not be the best option if you love being in close contact with your partner, as it takes up lots of room.

2. BelliPod All-in-One

Unique chiropractic design to ensure perfect spinal alignment while you sleep

The BelliPod is a unique pregnancy pillow made by Australian chiropractors that allows full body support without taking up half the bed. The chiropractic design is the winning feature of this pillow that makes it versatile, portable, and also offers full support while still letting you snuggle up with your loved ones.

Under the tummy, a memory foam wedge gives proper support to your belly that can be flipped for the thinner side as your bump hits peak growth. This wedge segues into a bolstered body pillow that rests between the legs to reduce pressure on your hips.

The unusual shape of wedge-to-body-pillow is a little awkward for the couch or for breastfeeding, but in bed, this minimalist pillow fills just the right amount of space to keep you in perfect alignment all night long.

3. Chicco Boppy Total Body Pillow

This modular full body pregnancy pillow is our best pick for sore hips

The Chicco Boppy Total Body Pillow is our pick for best pregnancy pillow for sore hips. It has a modular, adaptable design to suit your specific needs during different stages of pregnancy and features three removable pieces, to make sure you are well supported from head to toe. 

Suited for side sleepers, use the velcro tabs to shape into the desired configuration to support the head, stomach, hips, knees and all the way to the ankles. This pillow is great as you can find your perfect comfy position with every use simply by adjusting the pieces slightly; it changes with your changing body.

This pillow has no removable cover however the entire pillow is machine washable. The filling does tend to soften and spread over time so may not be best suited to those who prefer a firm pillow.

4. Easy Rest Maternity Pillow

An inexpensive body pillow with great support and versatility

One of the best affordable pregnancy pillows is the Easy Rest. If you’re not sure you need a pregnancy pillow, or are hesitant to shell out the big bucks when you only have a handful of weeks left to go, this cheapie is a guilt-free splurge to make your last weeks more comfortable. This body pillow needn’t be tossed after birth either, the straight design is great as a versatile breastfeeding pillow or bolster pillow for back pain.

The Easy Rest is quite a firm pillow, with polyester filling that gives it plenty of spring without going flat. The downside is it may be a little warm to cuddle in the middle of summer, especially as the exterior is thin and can allow fibres through over time.

This pillow does not come with a pillowcase, so be sure to buy one at the same time to avoid filler leakage. In a way this is a good thing, as you can choose whatever style you like from the many available pillowcases in these measurements.

5. Woolcomfort Bamboo Maternity and Nursing Pillow

The best pregnancy pillow for back pain

One of the top rated pregnancy pillows in Australia this year is the Woolcomfort Bamboo Maternity and Nursing Pillow, which is also our top pick for back pain. This is a premium, Australian made multi purpose maternity pillow with a luxurious bamboo knitted pillow case, naturally antibacterial and dust mite resistant.

The U shaped pillow provides total support for your back, tummy, head and knees. Filled with a high quality memory fibre, it moulds perfectly to your body. This is one of the best pregnancy pillows for back pain as its firm core provides excellent, firm support and stays in place all night, easing any tension. It’s large enough to comfortably wrap around your whole body yet small enough to take and use anywhere – your bed, couch, even the car.

A great pick if you usually prefer a firm pillow as those used to soft pillows may find the head support a bit stiff and inflexible.

6. PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow

U shaped pillow with a detachable extension for a customised fit

The PharMeDoc U shaped is the best pregnancy pillow for stomach sleepers, ideal for full body support, easily customisable thanks to the detachable extension, so you can adjust it to your preferred sleeping position.

The super soft polyfill blend has increased support density the more weight is applied to it, and is also easily maneuvered to suit any shape or position without moving back out of place.

The extension provides extra support to the back or tummy when attached to the main pillow, or use it alone as a full body pillow in itself, also suitable for nursing.

The soft jersey knit cotton cover is very durable with double stitched seams all round, so no more ripping apart at the seams! The cover has a large zipper for easy removal and washing.

7. PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow C-Shape

A highly flexible C shaped pillow that adapts to multi purpose use

PharMeDoc’s C shaped pregnancy pillow has proved as popular as their U shaped pillow, made of the same supportive materials with a more versatile shape to serve multiple functions.

One end of the C shape is smaller and thicker while the other is larger and flatter, meaning you can enjoy more tailored support for your bump as it develops. You may like to sleep with one of the two C ends under the belly, or on the fatter body pillow side that will conform to your shape.

This shape is also flexible to coil around you for sitting in bed without pressure on your sit muscles, and extremely flexible to find the perfect position to breastfeed in. However, this adaptable shape can be an issue when turning mid sleep, as you may find the tail end gets caught in the covers and trapped under your partner.

8. Luxdream Ergonomic Pregnancy Pillow

Unique multi sectioned pillow to suit all needs and body shapes

The Luxdream is a U shaped pillow that features different sections for multifunctional purposes, and can be moulded into different shapes to best suit you.

The unique arm rests allow your arms to rest freely and the leg pads are adjustable in length to suit your body, promoting good blood circulation. Filled with a softer filling than the rest of the pillow, the head rest promises perfect comfort, whilst the rest of the pillow is firmer for more stable support throughout the night.

There’s even a detachable belt to prevent excessive movement and provide maximum support to your back or belly, and ensures your pillow stays super close to you all night long.

Filled with dense layers of polyester so your pillow will not flatten or lose its shape, it’s also covered with a soft, hypoallergenic cotton case with a zipper for easy removal and cleaning, surely suiting the needs of most mums-to-be.

9. Woolcomfort Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Body Pillow

Multipurpose firm pillow suitable from pregnancy to nursing

The Woolcomfort is a multipurpose pregnancy, breastfeeding and body pillow specially designed to provide superior support for the neck, shoulders and back. Also ideal for nursing mothers, it’s made with high quality 100% Australian cotton and is also made right here in Australia. It’s one of the top rated at the moment, and one of best full body pillows around the $50 mark.

As a U shaped pillow, it will provide support to you no matter which side you sleep on as its memory fibre filling moulds perfectly to your body and stays that way throughout the night – the filling is dense and plush yet still cuddly and soft. Despite its density, it bends easily and can be manipulated into different angles for ultimate comfort and support.

Be advised that the filling material is quite firm, so this is a good recommendation for soon-to-be moms who love their pillow to be on the hard side. 

10. Clevamama Mum2Me Maternity Pillow and Sleep Pod

A pillow and sleep pod for both mum and bub, with excellent structured support

The best pregnancy pillow for neck and hip support is the Clevamama Mum2Me, it is quite firm and inflexible, which is great when you have a good position.

While not the cheapest pregnancy pillow around, the Clevamama Mum2Me will be worth the purchase if you haven’t yet got a sleep pod for your newborn. Both pieces of kit can be pricey and take up a lot of bedroom space, so this 2-in-1 functionality is a welcome bonus to a highly supportive pregnancy pillow.

As a support and nursing pillow, we couldn’t ask for more. The structured shape doubles back on itself and provides excellent support for sitting in bed, with firm arms for breastfeeding on either side.

As a sleep pod, the body pillow outside is of course quite large for a newborn, and unlikely to fit on a couch. However, the mattress pad is firm and hypoallergenic, and gives good support to the baby's head, reducing pressure to prevent flat head syndrome.

Firstly, firm pillows will provide more support than soft pillows but may be less “cushiony” and soft to sleep on. Second, it’s so common for expectant mums to sweat more than usual throughout the night so it’s definitely worth looking for pillows with a removable and washable cover that is easy to remove and put back on again.

Let’s now look at the different types of pregnancy support pillows available on the market, materials, benefits, and when to buy one.

Types of pregnancy pillows

Pregnancy pillows can be grouped into four types: C shaped, U shaped, J shaped, and wedge shaped. Here’s a quick description of each:

• C shaped pregnancy pillow. The C shaped pregnancy pillow curves around your body and can be cuddled to support your tummy as well as your knees, hips, head, neck, and back. It can take up quite a bit of space on your bed, though not as much as a U shaped pillow, and is best suited to those who tend to sleep calmly, rather than a restless sleeper, as the pillow needs to be flipped over if you change position. It is a multipurpose pillow primarily designed to provide comfort as well as relieve the back pain associated with pregnancy. One of the most popular pregnancy pillows, it offers excellent support, and many pregnant women look for it as they enter their third trimester.
• U shaped pregnancy pillow. The U shaped pillow is an oversized pillow, normally designed for side sleeping. The U shape contours to the natural shape of the body and allows for total support of the neck, back, legs and tummy while sleeping. They are multipurpose, making great breastfeeding pillows, and also good for reading and watching movies. Most U shaped pillows are filled with a polyfill to retain fluffiness and remain odour free. As opposed to the C shape, a U shaped pillow is great if you are a restless sleeper as they work just as well no matter which side you are lying on. This is another pregnancy pillow most pregnant women look for as they enter the third trimester for its excellent support and comfort.
• J shaped pregnancy pillow. The J shaped pregnancy pillow is long, providing a cushion to the entire length of the body. It is less bulky than a U shaped pillow and, with one open side, your partner is still able to cuddle with you. It can be used to support different parts of the body in two ways: by resting your head on the curved part of the “J” with the straight part of the pillow under your tummy and between your knees, or by resting your head on the curved part of the “J” with the straight part in line with your back to better support the back.
• Wedge shaped pregnancy pillow. The wedge shaped pregnancy pillow is popular because it is compact and multi-functional, not taking up as much space as the other types of pregnancy pillow. Commonly available in either round or triangular shapes, it is often made of memory foam of various density to suit your support level and comfort preferences. It provides support to your belly when tucked under it while you sleep or rest, however would then offer little to no support to other parts of the body. It is also commonly used between the knees for support to the legs and to regulate body temperature by allowing air flow, but similarly, it would then provide no support to any other body area. It’s possible to use several wedge shaped pillows at once to provide support to more areas. The wedge shaped pregnancy pillow is more budget friendly than its larger counterparts and many women like them because as well as their compact size, they can be useful after pregnancy and the post partum period for a range of purposes. You do not have to be pregnant to enjoy the wedge shaped pregnancy pillow.

Pillow filling materials

Pillows are filled with materials such as polyester fibre, styrofoam, microbeads, memory foam, wool, water, air (inflated pillow) and natural organic materials, which all have impact on the comfort and quality of your sleep. Pregnancy pillows will be better in terms of quality when filled with a material that provide good support and cushioning to the body.

Pillows filled with memory foam tend to offer more firm support, whilst polyester fibre will be softer and more cushiony, however it’s more prone to flattening and becoming misshapen over time. It may also be important to you to consider materials that are organic, environmentally friendly, or hypoallergenic. It’s also worth considering the pillow’s cover or top layer – is it breathable and soft and comfy against your skin?

When to buy a pregnancy pillow?

There is no fixed time to start using a pregnancy pillow. You might begin to use one when you begin to feel uncomfortable during sleep. The position you tend to sleep in also plays a part in when to start using a pregnancy pillow. Stomach sleepers can start as early as the first trimester when sore breasts can make their usual sleeping position more uncomfortable.

If you prefer to sleep on your back, you may start considering a pregnancy pillow during the second trimester when the weight of your bump begins to put pressure on your spine and compromise blood circulation.

By the third trimester, the weight of your bump combined with ligament laxity in your joints can cause more serious aches, pains and general discomfort. The right pregnancy pillow can help make ease these discomforts and ensure you receive the best quality sleep possible.

Benefits of using a pregnancy pillow

The main aim of a pregnancy support pillow is to stay as comfortable as possible. They work to provide comfort and support to the body where it’s needed, helping pregnant women sleep comfortably.

As your body weight increases during pregnancy, it puts stress and pressure on the spine, back, hips, and legs, and it becomes important to sleep in the optimal position to rest these body parts and relieve pressure built up throughout the day.

The right pregnancy pillow will provide adequate support to relieve aches and pains, help you relax and to sleep soundly for longer. It should be comfortable to use all throughout your pregnancy and maybe even beyond – they can also help new mums stay supported during post partum recovery and help their into the optimal breastfeeding position.

A pregnancy support pillow is an essential accessory for pregnancy health, particularly during the later stages as your body prepares for childbirth. Choosing the best pregnancy pillow may take some time, but it’s well worth it for the support, comfort and functionality it will ultimately provide, not to mention a sound night’s sleep.