About halfway through your pregnancy, sleeping will become something you only desire. Your belly is growing bigger, which reduces the positions you can sleep in, and the remaining position is not that comfortable.
If you have reached this stage, let’s introduce you to your new saving grace- the pregnancy pillow. A pregnancy pillow may not be a magic wand, but it sure makes sleeping that much more comfortable. First, however, you have to choose the right pillow for you.
Though there are 4 types of pregnancy pillows, the U-shaped and the C-shaped pillows are the most popular and with good reasons. But before we compare the two, let’s look at some reasons why you need a pregnancy pillow.
Benefits of Pregnancy Pillow
Finding a comfortable sleeping position from the second trimester is difficult, to say the least. For that reason, most pregnant women suffer from insomnia or wake up with fatigue and aches in weird places. As your belly grows and your body contours change, you need something to support your body while you sleep because a regular pillow just won’t cut it.
A pregnancy pillow helps position you in a comfortable angle and supports all the curves so you can finally get some sleep. It also ensures your entire body is aligned, which alleviates the possibility of aches and pains. Since you will mostly be sleeping on your side, a pregnancy pillow helps you adjust to this new position without much struggle.
Which Is Better: U Shaped or C Shaped Pregnancy Pillow?
U Shaped vs. C Shaped Pregnancy Pillow Characteristics
The U-shaped pregnancy pillow is large and suitable for women who need support on both sides of their body. If you are tall, turn a lot during sleep, and find yourself shifting to the back position, this is the pillow for you. This PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, for instance, provides the perfect balance between support and comfort. The front end of the pillow takes care of your belly, legs, and hands while the back part supports your back area.
C-shaped pillows, on the other hand, are not as large but they do provide excellent support for the head, neck, shoulders, and legs. The pillow facilitates the riding position and it’s more suitable for short to medium women who don’t turn a lot at night. We recommend the Leachco Snoogle Original Pregnancy Total Body Pillow which is designed to support the natural contours of your body and prop you up to comfort you’ve never felt before.
Similarities Between U Shaped and C Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
As different as these two pregnancy pillows are, they also have some similarities;
1. Provide Full-Body Support
Both pillows offer excellent support for the mom’s head, shoulders, belly, arms, back, and legs. The secret is learning how to position the pillow so it can support the areas that need it most.
2. Act As A Head Pillow
Unlike the wedge and straight pregnancy pillows, both c-shaped and u-shaped pillows act as head pillows as well. You will only need one pillow that will take care of your entire body and move with you as you switch positions.
3. Allow Different Sleeping Positions
Granted, the only position you will find comfortable while pregnant is the side position. However, these pillows make it possible to have variety in that one position. For example, you can place the pillow between your knees, over or under the limb, beneath the belly, or move slightly on your back.
U Shaped Vs. C Shaped Pregnancy Pillow Differences
U-shape and c-shape pregnancy pillows serve the same purpose, and they have a lot of similarities. What makes them unique, however, is their differences;
- Size. C-shaped pregnancy pillows are big but not as enormous as their u-shaped counterparts. The latter seems like a whole other person in bed, and it will not do if you have a small bed.
- Shape. The gravy is in the names of these pillows. One is u-shaped and the other is c-shaped, which translates to how much coverage and support the pillow gives. U-shaped pillows go all around the human body providing support for every corner, while c-shaped pillows mostly cover one side of the body.
- Height. Because u-shaped pillows are so long, they can take care of women of all sizes no matter how tall they are. C-shaped pillows don’t do well if you are tall.
Which Is Better: U Shaped or C Shaped Pregnancy Pillow?
Both of these pillows offer excellent support and have their merits and demerits. However, if we have to pick only one, the u-shaped pillow takes the trophy any day. It provides complete body support, makes it easy to turn at night, and there are many ways to sleep with it. The fact that it’s suitable for all heights is also a plus. However, you will need a big bed to fit this giant pillow and a partner.
Final Thoughts
There you have it; the head-to-head battle between u-shaped and c-shaped pregnancy pillows. While we have chosen u-shaped pillows to be the winner, many pregnant women find the other type extremely comfortable and supportive as well. The idea is to know your body and find a pillow that’s made with the right material for comfort.
