There’s nothing like a good night’s rest after a long day, but if you’re currently pregnant it can be quite difficult to get the shut-eye you need. With the right u-shaped pregnancy pillow, though, drifting off to sleep no longer has to be a struggle.
Being pregnant can be such an amazing and unpredictable time. Watching your body start to change as your little one grows inside you can fill you with a number of emotions – joy, excitement, anxiety, and even exhaustion. But owing to your constantly fluctuating hormones, not only are you battling that midday slump, you’re now also ironically wide awake when bedtime rolls around.
What gives? Pregnancy, that’s what. Sure, that may seem like an oversimplified answer, but that’s honestly what it boils down to.
Why Do You Need A Pregnancy Pillow During Pregnancy?
As a mother-to-be, you likely already have an assortment of pregnancy tools in your arsenal. Cocoa butter for those stretch marks? Check. Shoes with a little extra padding to help your swollen feet? You’ve got two pairs tucked away in your closet right now. A brand new wardrobe in a variety of sizes, not only for each and every trimester, but also for when your baby arrives? Washed, folded and ready to be worn.
At this point, you’re probably feeling confident that you’ve thought of everything. Except nope, you sort of haven’t. There’s actually one super big and seriously important thing you’ve managed to overlook. And you know what you currently don’t have? The right pillow to help you stay comfortable at night. Sure, you’ve thought of nearly everything else, but this one small – but very important thing – somehow managed to slip your mind.
The good news is, fixing this little oversight isn’t the end of the world. Getting the best u-shaped pregnancy pillow not only is going to be a cinch, it’s also going to be literally life-changing. But why exactly are body pillows so important, though? Well, to put it briefly, they can lend your body the support it needs to let you sleep through the night.
When taken to bed with you, they can support your entire body from head to toe.
Feel free to slip it beneath your neck for head support, your belly for extra padding for your bump, and even between your knees to help take any pressure off your hips. Using a pregnancy pillow is just the ticket to help you start sleeping through the night once more.
Now, I’m not going to tell you that you’re going to sleep like a baby once you invest in a pregnancy pillow for yourself. For starters, we all know how babies sleep, and that’s pretty much the exact opposite of what you want right now. No, what you want to do is fall asleep and stay asleep, just like you did back before you started to think about expanding your family. And fortunately, your pregnancy pillow can help you do just that.
Right now, your body can feel like it’s out of your control. Your emotions are all over the place, you don’t recognize the person you see in the mirror anymore, and you’re possibly even starting to break out again like a teenager. (Thanks, hormones!). But with a pregnancy pillow in tow, suddenly you’re back in control of at least something. And you can finally kiss that pregnancy insomnia sayonara.
With so many known benefits of using a pregnancy pillow, the only question remaining is, why wouldn’t you want to spring for one? (Psst – the answer is nada. There is seriously no reason you don’t want to get one. That was a rhetorical question, okay? Just trust me on this one.)
What Is A U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow?
There are arguably thousands of different types of pregnancy pillows out there on the market these days. You can find long ones, short ones, wedge ones, straight ones… there’s no limit to what’s for sale. If you can think of a specific type of pregnancy pillow, then chances are it’s already been made and it’s just waiting for you to buy it.
But no, the real winner in the competition for the absolute very best pregnancy pillow is the u-shaped one. Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a little bit biased here. I’m no stranger to the struggle with pregnancy-related insomnia, so it’s safe to say that I know my stuff. So trust me when I say that I’ve tried nearly every pregnancy pillow out there, and I can spot a dud from a winner a mile away.
And after testing out pillow after pillow during the nine months that I waited for my baby to make its way into this world, it’s safe to say that the u-shaped pregnancy pillow has my heart going pitter-patter like the little feet of your soon-to-be baby. These pillows are amazing.
Sort of shaped like a horseshoe, a u-shaped pregnancy pillow has a curve on the top and two arms on each side. These arms can run the length of your body, bracing both your front and your back. The bottom is open. Because duh, if it were closed, it would be the “o-shaped” pregnancy pillow and not the “u-shaped” one.
When you think of it like that, the person who named these types of pillows was sort of a genius. Okay, I’m being slightly sarcastic here, but still. I’m not throwing shade at the pillow itself. Goofy name or not, it still has my unwavering devotion. Because yes, it really is that great.
That said, why are these u-shaped pregnancy pillows so amazing? Well, they’re the best of all worlds when it comes to pillows. Let’s go ahead and break it down. For starters, they’re usually super long, which means you can easily snuggle up with them at night. They’re also curved on the end, which means you can just prop it up between either your ankles or your head.
And the best part is, it’s perfect for those of you who aren’t exactly thrilled about being told by your doctor that you need to start sleeping on your side. Yes, side-sleeping is better for your circulation, and sleeping on your back can feel admittedly miserable with your growing belly pressing on you. But if you’ve been fighting tooth and nail having to sleep on your side, that’s where the u-shaped pregnancy pillow really shines.
What Are The Best U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillows?
Trying to choose the best u-shaped pregnancy pillow is kind of like trying to choose your favorite child. It’s just not gonna happen. However, after extensive research and rigorous testing, I’ve managed to narrow them down to my top five picks. If you choose any of these pillows, then I promise you – you won’t be disappointed!
AngQi’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Some shady companies out there will try to fold an extra long pillow in half and call it good. However, if your insomnia has you tossing and turning all night, then you already know that’s not going to cut. That’s why this u-shaped pregnancy pillow by AngQi is a clear winner.
It was carefully designed to follow the contours of your body, allowing you to get the support you need where you need it most. Filled to the brim with premium cotton, it’s both breathable and soft. Plus, its machine-washable cover is made from breathable jersey, meaning you won’t be sweating up a storm when you reach for it.
Bluestone’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
For some pregnant women, staying at home and nesting is their very definition of perfection. Other mommas-to-be, though, may want to get out and see the world a little bit before their baby arrives. Or if you’re a working gal, you may have to travel for your job.
No matter the reason, if that sounds like you, then you need this u-shaped travel pillow by Bluestone. Boasting full-body pain relief, this compact pillow will help keep your shoulders, back, and neck in perfect alignment while you rest. Sure, it may be just a travel pillow, but you just may find it to be the one you prefer even when you’re back at home.
Queen Rose’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
If you’re the type of expectant mother who actually feels a little bit chilly at night, especially if you’re pregnant during the colder months, then this pillow by Queen Rose was made for you. It features a velvety-soft cover that was designed to help keep the shivers at bay when you’re in bed.
At an impressive sixty-five inches in length, you’ll find that this pillow can support pretty much your entire body. With its ergonomic shape and premium filling, it’s the perfect combination of both soft and supportive. However, if you find it to be a little bit too stuffed, you can just as easily remove some of its padding.
Milliard’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
As you move from trimester to trimester, it’s not uncommon to start to notice new aches and pains that weren’t there before you got pregnant. That’s why having an ergonomic u-shaped pregnancy pillow is especially important. Milliard understands this, which is why they designed their pillows to be extra comfortable for your changing body.
Its versatile memory foam filling can be adjusted to suit your needs, allowing you to get the exact amount of support you need. It’s also super breathable, too, which means you won’t feel like you’re melting when you sidle up next to it. And since it’s machine washable, there’s no need to worry about getting sick when using it.
DMI’s U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
It’s understandable to crave a comforting hug while pregnant, but cuddling with your partner can be far too warm and unpleasant. If you feel like you could use a full-body snuggle at night, then DMI’s u-shaped pregnancy pillow is just the ticket.
Created for side sleepers, it has a unique pocket at its curve for your ears so they won’t get sore when you use it. The cooling cotton cover is machine washable, too, making it easy to throw it into the laundry on wash day. And unlike other pillows, which can give you a serious case of bedhead, this one won’t mess up your hair when you sleep on it.
