Best Body Pillow for Pregnancy in 2021: Leachco vs. PharMeDoc vs. Boppy

Introduction

A pregnancy pillow is a supportive maternity pillow that helps keep mum and bump comfortable during pregnancy.

As a mother of three, I decided to post this guide as a resource for other expectant mothers who can benefit from a pregnancy pillow. With so many different maternity pillows on the market, it can be confusing knowing which one is right for you. I have outlined all of the factors you need to consider, helping you buy the best pregnancy pillow for you. You will find my own reviews of all of the styles from popular brands, including:

• Leachco
• PharMeDoc
• Today’s Mom
• Boppy

Pregnancy Pillow Buying Guide

Several factors must be considered when purchasing the best pregnancy pillow for you, just like any other important purchase that you make. Even though purchases often come from referrals, it’s still best to think about your unique needs and what factors will or won’t meet those needs. In other words, what worked for your neighbor or best friend may not work for you! I learned this lesson the hard way, as I purchased the first pregnancy pillow that a friend recommended to me. After using it, although I liked it, I regretted not doing more front-end research before buying (especially after trying other pillows!). Luckily, there are only a few critical key factors to consider to find the best pregnancy pillow for you. These factors range from the material that the pillow is made from to the size of the pillow and through to how much it costs. This section will help you identify what’s most important to consider when finding the best pregnancy pillow.

Material Type

A pregnancy pillow generally has two to three parts: the removable cover (optional), the outer shell, and the inside filling. The material type reflects the quality of the pillow. Look for a pillow that is phthalate free, latex free, lead free, and BPA free to avoid unnecessarily exposing yourself (and baby) to potentially harmful chemicals. There’s loads of research to prove that what comes into contact with mom’s skin is transferred to the growing baby, so be mindful of avoiding low-quality material.

Filling

With the expansion of pregnancy pillows on the market, many different filling types are available. Note that the most common is polyester or polyester fibers, as seen in all of the reviews above. The reason polyester is so popular is because it’s easy to bend, shape, and squish. This makes the pregnancy pillow more pliable and thus, easier to use for a diverse range of women. On the more natural end of the spectrum are the filling types wool, spelt, and kapok. Do note that natural and organic don’t mean the same thing, and even these material types may be produced synthetically! Just be sure to research if that’s an important consideration for you. Finally, memory foam is becoming more popular as a filling, thanks to its ability to conform to all body types. But, memory foam is also more firm than traditional polyester filling, so consider the density you prefer in a pregnancy pillow.

Washable Cover

This is important for obvious hygiene reasons and even more so important if you plan to use the pillow with a newborn. After all, small babies are notorious for spitting up! But what’s even more important to consider with the removable cover is the difficulty level for putting it back on. I’ve had to enlist the help of my spouse many times in order to get the pregnancy pillow cover back on after the wash. This can be annoying, but it is the reality for some of the bulkier pillows. This is generally not an issue with the smaller pregnancy pillows.

Hypoallergenic

Because of unpredictable hormones and physiological changes, pregnancy can make you more susceptible to allergies and their side effects. Many women experience an increased sensitivity to allergens while they are pregnant. Newborn babies can also be more affected by allergies than adults. For this reason, consider getting a hypoallergenic pregnancy pillow.

Size

I know I touched on this in most of the reviews, but it’s worth mentioning again. Many women (or their partners) end up disappointed in their pregnancy pillow because it is so big or because it takes up too much space. Consider your bed size and your sleeping arrangement here. Remember, you do not want a pregnancy pillow that is so large that it takes up too much space on your bed. No one will get a restful night of sleep then!

Weight

On average, pregnancy pillows range from just a few pounds to up to 8-10 pounds. Heavier pillows can feel bulkier and be more difficult to maneuver. The best pregnancy pillow should be somewhat portable. That makes it easier to handle if you are cleaning the cover or altering the shape. The type of filling and weight of the pillow go hand in hand. While polyester fibers are the lightest type of filling, memory foam is the heaviest. Be sure to choose a weight that is manageable for you.

Firmness

The firmness of the pillow is mostly about preference, but it can also make a difference if you need a certain amount of support. For example, if you’re looking to alleviate your sciatica, you’ll likely want a more firm pillow to provide ample support for the hips and low back. If you’re just looking for a more comfortable night of sleep, then firmness is dependent on personal desire.

Price

Although this is often the most important factor for many women, there is really a lot of flexibility in the price range. The smaller/compact pregnancy pillows start around $30 while the most expensive type usually tops out around $75-$80. If those prices are still too steep, a regular body pillow can be as cheap as $15 or so at your local big box store. As with anything else, the cost correlates to the quality. You get what you pay for. A premium pillow gives you full-body support whereas a cheaper alternative offers limited support. So, how should you decide how much to shell out for your pregnancy pillow? Consider the reviews, what you normally pay for products, how important is a good night’s sleep, and whether you’ll use the pillow after baby is born. These personal factors should be a good guiding compass to help you find the right cost.

Best Pregnancy Pillow – Top Picks & Comparison

For all of the joy that pregnancy brings, it also brings its share of adjustments. Growing a human is serious work! But luckily, there are many genius innovations that make being pregnant more comfortable than ever. One of those innovations is the pregnancy pillow. It is a pillow that’s specifically designed to accommodate growing baby bumps.

The best pregnancy pillow is dependent upon many factors, but they all benefit everyone who sleeps in the bed. After all, it’s difficult for a significant other to sleep well when their pregnant partner is tossing and turning.

The growing baby also benefits, as the best pregnancy pillow is one that provides abdomen support through each trimester. Other benefits include: reduces neck pain, helps regulate body temperature, and improves moods thanks to better sleep quality. The market is full of many kinds of pregnancy pillows, so this guide of maternity pillow reviews will help you to determine the best pregnancy pillow for you.

Different Types of Pregnancy Pillow

To find the best pregnancy pillow for yourself, you need to know the differences in types of pillows. With their recent surge in popularity, the market is exploding with new options on a daily basis. Because we all have such diversity in body type, shape, height, aches, pains, bed size, and more, the best maternity pillow type is not standard. To save you from reading loads of pregnancy pillow reviews, I’ve broken down the types of pillows available below. I’ve also shared the pros and cons for each type, based on my personal experience. Keep in mind that the best pregnancy pillow for you may not be what is best for me! Consider your individual preferences when determining what type you’d like to buy.

Total Body

The Total Body pregnancy pillow category is essentially what it sounds like. It provides support for mum and growing baby from head to toe. This type is the best pregnancy pillow for mothers-to-be who want to simply use one pillow. A total body type requires that you have plenty of room in your bed (other than the “mini” versions, discussed below) because they are generally 5-6’ in length.. Depending on the shape, you can generally arrange total body pregnancy pillows into various positions to accommodate a range of needs. It tends to be more versatile than competitors in other pregnancy pillow reviews, and it accommodates all body shapes and sizes. Here are the subcategories:

C-shaped

The C-shaped pregnancy pillow has a long rectangle as the main structure and curved edges toward the head and the feet. Yes, it looks like a “C”! This is the best type pregnancy pillow for those who need extra spinal support. The long bridge of the pillow is to be situated along the spine while the curved edges support the neck and legs. It is appropriate for women of all body shapes and sizes.

• Pros: Provides relief for back pain
• Cons: Does not provide belly support; big and maybe bulky

U-shaped

An all-encompassing pillow, the U-shape types looks as the name suggests as it’s almost a full circle of padded goodness. This means that the U-Shape hugs both the back and the belly, creating the ultimate cradle of support for mom and baby. Often, this type of pillow has contoured curves in the inside of the “U,” making for an even more comfortable night of sleep. These contours appropriately support the hips in addition to the back and the bump. This is the best pregnancy pillow type for mothers looking for full-body support.

• Pros: Offers full-body support
• Cons: Requires more bed space than any other type

J-Shaped

J-Shaped pregnancy pillows are very similar to the C-Shaped pillow type. The main difference is that while the “C” has two curved edges, the “J” has only one. The J’s curved edge can be used either tucked between the legs or as extra neck support. For this reason, a J-shaped pregnancy pillow could be used in addition to a head pillow or a second pillow for the legs. You get slightly less total body support in this pillow type, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

• Pros: Offers spinal support and requires less space
• Cons: May need an additional pillow to supplement it

Mini

Smaller versions of the pillow types reviewed above, a mini offers targeted support as opposed to full body support. Or, if you are a petite woman, then a mini may be the perfect full body solution for you! This is the best pregnancy pillow type for women who have specific issues to address (think: sciatica) or lack the bed space for a full size version. Because of their smaller size, mini pregnancy pillows are usually easier to use for nursing or for holding the newborn as well.

• Pros: Allows for targeted, specific support without the bulk
• Cons: Requires supplemental pillows for most comfort

Wedge

A wedge pregnancy pillow is a small round or triangular wedge shape that is designed to go under the belly or back, or between the legs. It can be useful to cushion and “prop up” the bump to alleviate back pain, or it can simply provide extra support for the back. The wedge pregnancy pillow also can be tucked between legs to help align the hips, which is great for low back pain, pelvic discomfort, sore legs, and more.

• Pros: Small and compact so it doesn’t interfere with partner’s sleep
• Cons: Provides limited support to one small area, so other pillows are needed

Full Length

The most generic type of pregnancy pillow, the full length type is a long, straight rectangle that’s more commonly referred to as a body pillow. It’s typically a straight spread of support for the front side or the back side. A flexible version, however, is available so that it can be bent and contoured into different shapes. But both versions do pretty much the same thing. They offer full support for either side of the body but will still probably require more pillows be used. The upside to this is that full length pregnancy pillows do not require as much room as other total body type pillows.

• Pros: Great support to space-required ratio
• Cons: Requires supplemental support pillows

Pregnancy Pillow Benefits

To help you navigate the world of maternity pillow reviews, I am going to thoroughly discuss the benefits of pregnancy pillows. Although common knowledge applauds them for making sleep more comfortable, there are many more benefits. And, the benefits aren’t only felt by mom. They extend to anyone sleeping in the bed, as well as the growing baby bump! These benefits can extend beyond pregnancy to everyday use for specific support and to help reduce general pain. Pregnancy pillows can even help improve your daily mood! Fully understanding all of the benefits will help you find the best pregnancy pillow for you.

• Reduces pregnancy hip or back pain: To understand this benefit, one must first understand why hip and back pain exist during pregnancy. The most obvious reason is the redistribution of weight. The emphasis on the growing belly requires the back muscles to stretch and support new weight in a very specific way. This affects all movement, as well as sitting and sleeping, and can even pull the pelvis out of alignment. The pregnancy pillow allows support for those back muscles that are working overtime. By taking pressure off of the back muscles, a natural reduction in pain follows.
• Provides bump and back support: As mentioned above, a mother-to-be’s body goes through some amazing and impressive changes to grow a human. A pregnancy pillow adds a layer of cushion and support to the bump and/or to the back to help support and ease the organic process. Why do it alone when you can have a pregnancy pillow? This will also make for a more comfortable sleep for baby. A pregnancy pillow properly situated under the bump can create the perfect sleeping position for baby. Although mom will feel more direct benefit from extra back support, the bump should feel more comfortable in general when less pressure is on the back.
• Improves sleep (you and your partner): If you haven’t heard it from all of your friends, here it is from me: rack up on your sleep while you can! Seriously, once baby comes, a peaceful night of sleep is increasingly difficult to find. Pregnancy is the perfect opportunity to seize a revitalizing night of rest. But without a pregnancy pillow, sleep may not be so comfortable thanks to the body changes. If sleep isn’t comfortable for mom, then it likely won’t be comfortable for her partner! Pregnancy pillows help eliminate the tossing and turning and allow for a restful night.
• Helps to regulate your temperature: Speaking of tossing and turning, did you realize that your body temperature fluctuates in proportion to how much you move? Especially since you’ll be weighing more with pregnancy, you’re more likely to get hot and sweaty with your tossing and turning. That feeds into the poor quality of sleep cycle (who wants to be hot and sweaty in bed?). A pregnancy pillow alleviates this contributor to restless nights by cutting out the tossing and turning. With less movement, you get to literally chill out and enjoy a regulated body temperature.
• Supports multiple sleeping positions: Most pregnancy pillows can be maneuvered to support different sleeping positions. If you were previously a back or stomach sleeper, it will be important for you to experiment to find the most comfortable side sleeping position. As the bump grows, side sleeping is mandatory, but arm and leg position varies. Your pregnancy pillow will shift as you please to help you find what feels most comfortable. The amount of versatility the pillow can offer depends on what type you buy. For this reason, you may want to consider your selectiveness as a sleeper. Here’s what I mean. I personally can fall asleep under most conditions and in most places, so having a pregnancy pillow with all the bells and whistles wasn’t important to me for this reason. However, if you are finicky with your sleep, you will need a pillow that can offer up more positions to find what works best for you.
• Improves your mood: Pregnant women have to deal with so many things related to their mood. Hormones are out of control, and adjusting to growing a human is serious business. Sleep deprivation is the icing on the proverbial bad mood cake (for you and/or your partner). Sleep and mood are intricately linked, as many mood changes can be contributed to quality of sleep. But a pregnancy pillow helps mom, baby, and partner have easy, restful nights that lead to happier days and cheerier moods.  
• Can be used after delivery: I know I’ve mentioned this in the reviews above, but it’s worth talking about again. A pregnancy pillow does not lose value once the baby is born. Not only do many moms love their pillow so much that they use it after delivery, but they also use it for their newborn. For example, many of the pregnancy pillows can be used to create additional support for breastfeeding. Because my newborn had acid reflux, I used my pregnancy pillow to prop him upright and alleviate his discomfort. I also allowed him to practice sitting up with the support of the pillow (once he was old enough, of course). Based on the shape of the pregnancy pillow, you may even be able to create a “nest” for baby who wants to co-sleep with mom and dad. Don’t throw your pregnancy pillow in the closet once baby arrives; it really will come in handy!