Are Pregnancy Pillows Worth It?

There are so many things that people will recommend and tell you you need when you are pregnant and not just for the new arrival but for yourself to get you through. One of these things will be a pregnancy pillow, so are they really worth buying?

Pregnancy pillows are worth buying if you struggle sleeping or sitting comfortably during your pregnancy. They create support that suits you and your body throughout the pregnancy. Pregnancy pillows are not worth buying if you feel better using normal pillows is better.

In this article, I am going to talk about whether I think pregnancy pillows are worth buying or not and what you might want to know before you buy your own.

What Does A Pregnancy Pillow Do?

A pregnancy pillow is a pillow that helps you during your pregnancy, it is there to help you feel comfortable and help stabilise your body. There are a number of ways in which you can use a pregnancy pillow and benefit from it from sleeping, sitting, supporting your back and even nursing your baby when they arrive.

Not all pregnancy pillows are the same, there is a wide range on the market for expectant parents who sleep in different ways or just need the support in different ways.

These range from wedge style pillows to help you sleep or sit in a semi-reclined position, long curved pillows that shape around the body to sit under the head and between the legs for a comfortable nights sleep and even some that help aid those who sleep on their front without harming your bump along with many more.

Are Pregnancy Pillows Expensive?

No, they don’t have to be. There are a whole range of products on the market that cater for pregnant people in a range of price ranges so you can always find something within your budget. And remember that spending more doesn’t always give you more, especially in this case when a pillow just needs to be comfortable and fit for you.

Here is a quick breakdown of some of the most popular pregnancy pillows, what they are most suited for, how much they cost and where you can buy them.

(insert table of products)

What Are The Advantages Of Buying A Pregnancy Pillow?

There are a number of advantages to owning a pregnancy pillow, these are as follows;

It is designed to fit with and around your bump so you can always feel comfortable
They are highly adaptable for sleeping, sitting and resting so you can use it in a number of ways around the house for comofrt
Some are easily adaptable for using as a nursing/feeding pillow once your baby is born
They can be really cheap so worth trying if you are struggling to sleep
They are great for helping aid sleep and comfortable positions
I liked mine as it stopped me from rolling onto my back on a night

What Are The Disadvantages Of Buying A Pregnancy Pillow?

Along with the advantages, there are some disadvantages too;

they can be bulky and hard to store in the house
You may find it hard to get untangled from one for your trips to the toilet throughout the night ( I honestly look like im wrestling a crocodile every night)
They take up a lot of space in bed

Can You Use A Pregnancy Pillow At Any Time?

Yes, there is no set time in which you should start using a pregnancy pillow, that is completely up to you. You don’t even have to be pregnant to use one as they are great for helping aid sleep and support day to day.

I personally bought my pregnancy pillow quite early on in my pregnancy as I struggled to get comfortable on our sofa – it was cheaper to buy something to help me sit on the sofa than replace the sofa!

I found it helped me a lot sitting better and resting during the first trimester when I felt my worst and couldn’t get comfortable. I then felt like it wasn’t needed in the second trimester but then was heavily needed in my third trimester. I found mine was most helpful for propping me up so I could sit more comfortably.

In the third trimester is was most helpful when I was sleeping, it helped cradle me so I could sleep on my side with support and also stopped me from rolling onto my back which I had a habit of doing.

Are There Any Alternatives To Pregnancy Pillows?

There are a number of different pillows and supports available on the market though not all of them are cheaper than a pregnancy pillow.

These range from knee supports while you sleep to wedge pillows or triangle pillows, some of which are marketed towards the elderly generation or those who simply want a better nights sleep.

These are all great and if you feel you can’t find something that will do the trick for you under the pregnancy pillow category look further afield. Make sure when you are looking for alternatives that you find something that is safe to use during pregnancy, if not check with a healthcare professional.

You can also simply use pillows you have at home ready, this is great as you already have them available and you can even test out if you need something more after using the pillows. I also like this as you are limiting how much you are buying and even saving money.

Personally yes they are, especially if you feel you need something extra to support you whether it is sleeping or sitting or even to do any particular exercises and stretches. They are designed and made to support the body and bump and those which are properly researched and tested will have long lasting benefits.

The only time I wouldn’t suggest buying a pregnancy pillow is if you can’t afford one, you have been given one or you feel you don’t need one. I bought mine earlier on due to the discomfort I was in in the first trimester otherwise I may not have bought one until my third trimester.

If you are still on the fence and feel you might want or need one, use some extra cushions on a night, see if that works for you. If you feel you are struggling still then look into buying a pregnancy pillow.