U shaped pregnancy pillow: support on both sides, if your bed has room
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- U-shaped pregnancy pillow with zippered removable cover. Best for: People who change sides often and have a queen or king bed. See options on Amazon
- U-shaped pillow with a cooling or breathable cover. Best for: Warm sleepers who still want all-round support. See options on Amazon
- Convertible U pillow that splits into two pieces. Best for: People who may want a smaller setup later. See options on Amazon
- C-shaped pregnancy pillow. Best for: Smaller beds or people who sleep mostly on one side. See options on Amazon
What a U shape does that others do not
The Sleep Foundation says U-shaped pillows are designed to cradle your entire body, with your head resting at the bottom of the U. Because there is a support arm on both sides, you have something to hug in front and something holding you from behind, whichever way you face.
That matters because side sleeping is the goal later in pregnancy. The NHS says the safest position to go to sleep is on your side, left or right, and that after 28 weeks falling asleep on your back can double the risk of stillbirth. The back arm of a U is a built-in barrier to rolling flat.
Who a U-shaped pillow suits, and who it does not
| Good fit if you | Think twice if you |
|---|---|
| Switch sides several times a night | Sleep on a full or twin mattress |
| Want back and belly support at the same time | Share a bed and your partner needs room |
| Like to hook a knee over something | Sleep hot and dislike being surrounded |
| Find it hard to rebuild a pillow nest in the middle of the night | Mostly sleep on one side only (a C shape may do) |
The Sleep Foundation describes the U as rather bulky but still fairly versatile, and notes that early in pregnancy you can lie on your back inside it and then move to side sleeping as you progress.
Check your bed space first
Bed size is the biggest practical limit. The Sleep Foundation lists a queen mattress at 60 by 80 inches, a full at 54 by 75 inches, and a twin at 38 by 75 inches. A U pillow lies across a good share of one person's half of the bed, and its arms stick out on both sides of you.
- Lay a tape measure across your side of the bed before ordering and compare it with the pillow's listed width.
- Check the length against your height. The head end should sit under your head, with the open end near your knees or calves.
- If you share a full bed, a wedge or a C shape is often the kinder choice for your partner.
Fill, feel and heat
The Sleep Foundation says polyester is the most common material for both the cover and the fill of pregnancy pillows, and that polyester fiberfill tends to be softer and is common in larger pillows. It says foam-based pillows are generally firmer and memory foam is the most likely to trap heat, so memory foam is usually kept to smaller pillows like wedges.
Because a U surrounds you on two sides, heat builds up more than with a single pillow. If you run warm, look for a breathable cover. The Sleep Foundation suggests a bedroom around 65 degrees Fahrenheit may help you fall asleep faster.
Washing a pillow this big
The Sleep Foundation notes that not all washing machines can take a full pregnancy body pillow, and that most come with a removable cover you take off and wash. For a U shape, a zippered cover is close to essential. Buying a second cover means you are never without one on wash day.
Setting it up
- Put the closed end at the head of the bed and rest your head on it, or put your own pillow on top if it is too low.
- Lie on your side inside the U. Hug the front arm and hook your top knee over it.
- Snug the back arm against your spine so it stops you rolling back.
- To turn over, roll toward the other arm. Nothing needs moving.
For more placement detail, see how to use a pregnancy pillow.
What to look for when you buy
U-shaped pregnancy pillow with zippered removable cover
Best for: People who change sides often and have a queen or king bed
Support runs along both your back and front, so turning over does not mean rebuilding your pillows. The Sleep Foundation notes most pregnancy pillows are washed by removing the cover, so a zip cover matters on a pillow this size.
Watch out: It is bulky. Measure your side of the bed and check it against the listed width.
See options on AmazonU-shaped pillow with a cooling or breathable cover
Best for: Warm sleepers who still want all-round support
Being surrounded traps heat. The Sleep Foundation says polyester-based materials are often breathable and that memory foam is the most likely fill to trap heat.
Watch out: Cover fabric helps, but a cool room helps more. A breathable cover will not make a dense fill sleep cold.
See options on AmazonConvertible U pillow that splits into two pieces
Best for: People who may want a smaller setup later
Some U pillows unzip or separate into two shorter pillows, which can be used as a back support and a front pillow on smaller beds.
Watch out: Joins can shift apart in the night. Check how the sections attach before buying.
See options on AmazonC-shaped pregnancy pillow
Best for: Smaller beds or people who sleep mostly on one side
The Sleep Foundation calls the C shape versatile and not very bulky, so it gives head, back and knee support in less space.
Watch out: You have to move it to change sides.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Is a U-shaped or C-shaped pregnancy pillow better?
- A U suits people who switch sides often because support is on both sides. A C takes less room and suits people who mostly stay on one side.
- How big is a U-shaped pregnancy pillow?
- It varies by maker, so read the listing. Compare its width with your bed: the Sleep Foundation lists a queen mattress as 60 inches wide and a full as 54 inches.
- Can I use a U-shaped pillow early in pregnancy?
- Yes. The Sleep Foundation notes you can lie on your back inside it early on and move to side sleeping later in pregnancy.
- Can I put a U-shaped pregnancy pillow in the washing machine?
- Usually only the cover. The Sleep Foundation says many machines cannot fit a full pregnancy pillow, so most come with a removable, washable cover.
Sources
- Best Pregnancy Pillows (www.sleepfoundation.org/best-pillows/best-pregnancy-pillow), Sleep Foundation
- Mattress Sizes 101: Finding Your Perfect Fit (www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-sizes), Sleep Foundation
- Tiredness and sleep problems in pregnancy (nhs.uk), NHS
- Your baby's movements (nhs.uk), NHS
- Ways to Reduce Baby's Risk (safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov), Safe to Sleep, NICHD (NIH)