Pregnancy pillows: shapes, uses and whether you need one

The shapes, and what each solves

Wedge. Small, cheap, and the most under-rated. A wedge under the bump or behind the back solves the two commonest problems — bump weight pulling on the back, and rolling flat during the night. If you buy only one thing, buy this.

C-shape. Supports head, back and knees in one piece, and you turn over by turning within it. Good all-round support without taking the whole bed.

U-shape. Support on both sides so you can turn over without rearranging anything. The most comfortable and the largest — it will take most of a double bed, which matters if you share it.

Full-length straight. A long bolster to hug and put between the knees. Cheapest of the big ones, and Indian households usually already own a bolster that does exactly this.

Knee pillow. A small firm pillow for between the knees. The single most useful item for hip and pelvic pain.

Match it to the problem: back pain — wedge or C; hip and pelvic pain — knee pillow or U; heartburn and breathlessness — wedge to prop the upper body; rolling onto the back — wedge behind you.

What ordinary pillows do for free

One firm pillow between the knees, one under the bump, one behind the back. That is a U-shaped pillow assembled from things you already own, and for many women it is enough.

An Indian bolster between the knees or to hug is a full-length pregnancy pillow by another name.

A rolled towel under the bump is a wedge.

Folded blankets under the mattress at the head end prop the upper body for heartburn without needing anything bought.

Try the free version for a week before spending. It tells you which problem you actually have, which then tells you which shape to buy if you still want one.

What to check before buying

Firmness. Too soft is the commonest complaint — it collapses under the bump within a fortnight and stops supporting anything.

Removable, washable cover. Non-negotiable, particularly for use after the birth.

Fabric for the Indian climate. Cotton over polyester, and be wary of thick memory foam, which holds heat considerably.

Size against your bed, and against your partner. A U-shape on a double bed is a real imposition and a common source of it being abandoned.

Filling: polyfill is cheap and flattens; memory foam holds shape and holds heat; microbead is light and noisy. There is no single right answer.

And use after the birth: most of these work as feeding support, which roughly doubles their useful life. A C or U shape and a firm wedge both do this well.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When should I get one? — Most women want support from around 20 to 24 weeks. There is no reason to buy early.

Q: Is an expensive one better? — Firmness, cover and fabric matter. Brand mostly does not.

Q: Will it help me sleep on my side? — A wedge behind the back is the specific item for that, and it is the cheapest one.

Q: Can I use it after delivery? — Yes, most work as feeding pillows, which is the best argument for buying one at all.