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Pregnancy changes a lot of things from the vitamins you take to your exercise routine and the foods you eat — and that’s just during the waking hours. Once you hit your second trimester, spending the night on your back or belly no longer becomes a viable option: it’s not only deeply uncomfortable, but it potentially restricts blood flow to your developing child.
Even if you’re naturally a side-sleeper, you’re going to need some support for that growing belly in order to get a solid night of shuteye. Rather than gathering up every last pillow in your home and strategically wedging them behind your back, under your belly and between your knees, purchasing a maternity pillow can ensure the aches and foreign postures don’t interfere with your beauty sleep.
Maternity pillows can either be a full-body support system or focus on specific areas that need a little extra TLC, but if one of these sleep aids isn’t one of the big-ticket items on your registry, no worries: Amazon offers a wide variety of affordable pillows and others that are totally worth the splurge.
Leachco Snoogle Supreme Total Body Pregnancy Pillow
Leachco’s Total Body Pregnancy Pillow is shaped like a horseshoe so expecting mothers can comfortably fit into its crook — baby belly and all. Designed to contour to your unique shape and curves, there’s plenty of pillow to rest your head on, keep tucked in between your knees, and support your back or belly, depending on how you choose to lay.
In addition to keeping you stationary through the night, this massive body pillow is also extremely comfortable. It’s draped in a 100 percent cotton pillow cover that’s machine-washable and comes in four colors: Ivory, Gray, Brown, and Mauve.
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow C-Shape
While it’s true that C-shaped pillows provide a tighter fit, expecting mothers won’t feel constricted when snuggling into the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow. The maternity pillow is stuffed with a polyester fiberfill blend to ensure you feel comforted and supported, no matter where you are in your pregnancy.
It’s also double-stitched all the way around at the seams to prevent rips, and covered with a zipper-removable cotton-jersey knit material you can toss in the wash with the rest of your bedding. What’s more, PharMeDoc’s pillow is multifunctional: it supports your head, back, hips, knees, and neck while you sleep, but it can also be used for lounging more comfortably, and, once the baby arrives, as a nursing pillow.
Boppy Side Sleeper Pregnancy Pillow
Boppy pillows aren’t just for babies: The Side Sleeper was intentionally designed to prevent natural back sleepers from moving onto their spine in their sleep. For optimal support and side propping, rest your side in the bow of the two connected pillows with one against your back and the other against your belly. The pillows adjust according to your growing baby’s size, but aren’t massive, so they won’t completely take over the bed.
Bonus: both the pillow and its cover are machine-washable.
AngQi Total Body Pregnancy Pillow
It’s appropriate that AngQi’s maternity pillow is essentially shaped like a massive life vest because it’s going to be a sleep saver throughout your entire pregnancy. The U-shape is designed to be ergonomic, minimizing physical discomfort at all stages of pregnancy.
Filled with 100 percent polyester hollow fiber that contours to the natural shape of your body and covered with a soft, stretchy jersey material, the pillow feels comfortable and offers your body full support. It can also reduce the discomfort associated with pregnancy, as well as any other ailments you might be experiencing such as fibromyalgia, gastric reflux, and more.
SleepyBelly
You’ve heard us wax poetic about the SleepyBelly before. The bestselling pillow from Australia is now available stateside and is beloved by moms and midwives alike. The 3-piece adjustable pillow gives expectant mamas so many options.
There are two D-shaped pillows that can be placed in front and behind a mom-to-be. Or they can rest their back on the long pillow for extra support. “Most comfortable pillow!” one happy shopper said. “The best part is being able to separate the pillows and use one at a time. My favorite is the long one! So convenient when I keep turning sides. 100% recommend!!”
Body by Honeydew
Don’t let the basic shape dissuade you! What Honeydew’s body pillow lacks in creativity it more than makes up for in comfort. Because sometimes all you need is a good ol’ reliable rectangle. Though it’s not marketed as a pregnancy pillow, expectant and postpartum moms can enjoy the genius that is this pillow.
If you want to change the height or firmness, just locate the hidden zipper and add or remove the CertiPUR-US gel foam filling.
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