A large number of women experience trouble sleeping while they’re pregnant, more than at any other time in their life.
Many pregnant women struggle with sleeping due to hormonal changes and discomfort caused by the changes in their body shape and the weight they’re carrying in the womb.
Unfortunately, nothing can be done about the hormones, but you can alleviate much of the discomfort by utilizing extra support for your body in the form of a pregnancy pillow.
We’ll help you choose the best pregnancy pillow for back sleepers by highlighting our top five and sharing the main benefits of each.
If you prefer to sleep on your stomach, though, there are also available pregnancy pillows for stomach sleepers.
Best Pregnancy Pillow for Back Sleepers
Comparison Chart
PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, Grey U-Shape Full Body Pillow and Maternity Support – Support for Back, Hips, Legs, Belly for Pregnant Women
QUEEN ROSE Pregnancy Pillow, U Shaped Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping, Maternity Body Pillow for Pregnant Women with Removable Velvet Cover, Gray
Utopia Bedding Soft Body Pillow – Long Pillows for Side and Back Sleepers – Cotton Blend Cover with Soft Polyester Filling (Single Pack) 20×54 Inch
1. PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Each product manufactured by the PharmMeDoc brand is dedicated to improving your lifestyle.
Their bedding products combine the latest technology and functional design to help you achieve the best night’s sleep possible.
Product Highlights
Aptly named, this is a U-shaped pillow that offers support for your growing body, whichever side you sleep.
It can help to support your back, knees, hips, neck, and head, all at the same time.
As a back sleeper, it will help to prop you up gently on one side, and the pillow support behind you will prevent you from accidentally rolling over onto your back during the night.
Like most U-shaped pillows, this pregnancy pillow is large (53 x 31 x 7 inches) and luxurious, so you need to consider if you have the space for this pillow in your bed before you buy it.
Its detachable extension offers a vast number of benefits, including making it easier to travel with.
You can use the detachable side as a full-body pillow on its own, or you may want to remove it so that you can more easily cuddle up to your partner in bed at night.
You’ll also enjoy this pillow long after your pregnancy has ended since you can use it to alleviate discomfort from sciatica, fibromyalgia, gastric reflux, surgery, and more.
The jersey knit cover that comes with the PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow features a zipper, making it removable for convenient machine washing.
It also comes in a variety of gorgeous colors, and if you choose the plain or patterned gray variety, then you will also receive a free travel and storage bag.
PharMeDoc shows absolute faith in their product; not only do you get a 100% satisfaction guarantee but also a lifetime warranty if anything goes wrong with it.
The Good
We love the fact that this pillow offers full-body support, plus a detachable side. Thus, you can’t just use it at home but also bring it with you wherever you travel.
The Bad
The polyfill filler used for this pillow may flatten or clump faster over time and would need replacing sooner than other types of padding.
Polyfill is also not as breathable as other fillers, so it may not be suitable for those living in hotter climates.
PROS
- Detachable arm
- Removable covers
- Machine washable
- Offers full-body support in just one pillow
- Nice color choices
- Risk-free purchase
CONS
- Takes up a lot of bed space
- Filler not as durable or breathable as others
2. Queen Rose U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Queen Rose is one of America’s leading brands of pregnancy pillows and other bedding products to help you enjoy a better night’s sleep.
They aim to help you adapt to your new shape and identity, as well as alleviate your sleeping burdens during pregnancy and as a new mother.
Product Highlights
The U-shaped pillow offers full-body support while sleeping, but differs from the PharMeDoc pillow since it curves round at the bottom of both ends to better support your legs, no matter which side you’re sleeping.
It also comes in three different lengths, which is handy for the taller moms-to-be.
The longer lengths will allow you to remain fully supported, even when you’re stretched out.
The Queen Rose U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow doesn’t feature a detachable side, so the size of this pillow should be taken into consideration before you buy it.
Make sure you have enough room in your bed for starters, but also consider the fact that the large size of the pillow may prove to be quite a burden if you need to travel with it.
The total body support is great for a wide range of health conditions, and you’ll also find it comes in handy when nursing or relaxing in front of the TV or with a good book.
Queen Rose also uses polyfill as their pillow filler, and the pillow comes with a removable cover.
The gray and blue-with-gray covers have a velvety smooth texture, which will be great for keeping you cozy and warm on colder nights.
If you live in a hotter climate, though, or tend to run a bit hot at night, then you should select the pink and blue cover, which are made from cotton.
The Good
We love that you can fold the Queen Rose U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow to a “double-C” shape, which offers the same great leg support on both sides for sleeping.
We also like that you can have your head at either end of the pillow, depending on your preference.
The Bad
Unfortunately, even the smallest version of the Queen Rose U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow is one of the priciest on our list and the price increases with the longer lengths.
PROS
- Removable cover
- Offers full-body support in just one pillow
- Supports legs on both sides equally well
- Two different fabrics to choose from
- Available in three different lengths
CONS
- Limited color choice
- Most expensive option on our list
- One of the most difficult pillows to travel with
3. Insen C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow
Insen specializes in providing ergonomically designed pillows to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Their range includes a long body pillow, a U-shaped pillow, as well as this C-shaped pillow.
Product Highlights
The third pregnancy pillow we chose to feature is shaped like a C, as opposed to a U, but is still just as large and cumbersome as its U-shaped sisters.
This larger-sized pillow just can’t be beaten in comfort, which will become increasingly more important as you edge nearer to the end of your pregnancy.
The Insen C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow also offers full-body support without needing several cushions since you already have all the support you need in this one pillow.
The shape is specifically designed to cradle you as you sleep, reducing the amount of tossing and turning in the night, which may wake you up more.
You can also fold the Insen C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow into multiple positions to elevate your legs more or less, depending on your preference.
This feature is convenient later in the pregnancy if you need to alleviate pregnancy swelling in your lower legs, ankles, and feet.
You can choose from a gray velvet material cover, or blue, green, gray, or purple jersey, depending on whether you prefer a cozier or cooler fabric.
Both the outer and inner pillowcases have zippers, so you can easily wash the cover and replace and regulate the stuffing inside.
The Good
We really love the unique C-shape of this pillow, as it allows for better leg elevation, which will prove to come in really handy for some women who suffer badly from swollen ankles.
The Bad
Some customers have complained that the Insen C-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow doesn’t come with enough stuffing in it, which makes it a bit too floppy.
PROS
- Offers full-body support in just one pillow
- Folds easily for increased leg elevation
- Removable cover
- Easy filler replacement and adjustment
- Two different fabrics to choose from
CONS
- One of the most difficult pillows to travel with
- One of the most expensive options
4. Utopia Bedding Soft Body Pillow
Utopia Bedding is part of the Utopia group, offering a range of premium quality bedding among a more extensive homeware collection.
The majority of their designs are simple and timeless, and it’s easy to see that comfort and price are often favored over seasonal fashions.
Product Highlights
This simple, soft, straight body pillow from Utopia Bedding is 20 by 54 inches long.
It can support your back to stop you rolling over onto your back when you sleep.
As you get more used to sleeping on your side, you can also use the Utopia Bedding Soft Body Pillow in front of you, where it will support your tummy, legs, and hips.
Its ball fiber filling provides excellent support and comfort as you sleep.
Since it’s smaller than the previous three pillows we’ve featured, it takes up a lot less space in your bed and is also a lot easier to travel with.
The 100% cotton cover is soft, breathable, and durable, and it slips off for machine washing when needed.
The Good
We love the simplicity and quality of the Utopia Bedding Soft Body Pillow, and it’s also the most affordable pregnancy pillow on our list.
The Bad
As a back sleeper, you may need more than one pillow to achieve ultimate comfort so that you can have one behind you and another in between your legs.
PROS
- More convenient size
- Easier to travel with
- Removable, machine-washable cover
- High-quality cotton cover
CONS
- Only available in white
- You may need more than one pillow for optimum support
5. Bamibi Multi-Functional Pillow
As the sole product produced by Bamibi, this multi-functional pillow impressed us when it came to quality and price.
The flexibility this pillow offers is second to none, and the company has put a lot of thought behind this product.
Product Highlights
Like the pillow from Utopia, the Bamibi Multi-Functional Pillow will serve you well by supporting your back and allowing you to sleep more comfortably on your side, throughout your pregnancy.
You can also slip it around to the front to help support your belly, legs, and hips, reducing pain and discomfort wherever you need it most.
Post-pregnancy, the Bamibi Multi-Functional Pillow really ups its game since you can use it as a breastfeeding pillow or attach one end to the other to use it as a baby nest or anti-roll cushion.
It will also come in handy to help support your baby as they learn to sit up for themselves.
The cover is removable and machine-washable, as it’s made from premium quality 100% cotton.
The filler is also hypoallergenic, rendering it unlikely to cause allergic reactions.
You also receive a free, matching inner cushion to sit inside “the nest”.
The Good
We love the flexibility offered by this cushion and are sure that you’ll be using it every night throughout your pregnancy, as well as every day for months after the birth.
The Bad
It’s a shame that there are no alternative color options.
PROS
- Multi-functional design
- Convenient size to sleep and travel with
- Soft, breathable, and durable cover
- Removable and machine-washable cover
- Free, matching inner cushion
- Hypoallergenic filler
CONS
- Doesn’t offer full-body support while sleeping
- Only available in one color or pattern
Buyer’s Guide
If this is your first time buying a pregnancy pillow, you may not know what to look for or where to start looking.
Before choosing the best pregnancy pillow for back sleepers, there are a few factors you should take into consideration to ensure that you end up with the right pillow for you.
One size doesn’t fit all, and your ideal pregnancy pillow will depend on your personal preference and the circumstances you’re in.
Here are some of the key features you need to consider:
1. Size
Maternity pillows come in varying sizes, and you shouldn’t automatically assume that the biggest one available will be the best since it may actually prove to be more of an inconvenience.
Firstly, think about how much space you have for it at home.
How much space do you have in your bed, and do you have to share that space with anyone?
Also, consider whether you have somewhere to store it when you’re not using it and whether you will ever have the need to travel with it.
Once you’re used to sleeping with your pregnancy pillow, you’ll probably find it very difficult to sleep without it, so you’ll want to take it with you on all overnight trips.
2. Shape
The shape of a pregnancy pillow will also be something you’ll need to choose.
Specially engineered maternity pillows come in a variety of shapes, offering support for various parts of your body.
As your body changes, you’ll most likely need to find new sleeping positions to accommodate it.
This is especially true of back sleepers, like yourself, as the weight on your uterus becomes uncomfortable, and it’s not recommended that you sleep on your back past 20 weeks or so.
Sausage, C-shaped, and wedge pillows are fantastic for propping your back up to ensure you don’t roll onto your back in your sleep.
U-shaped pillows, on the other hand, can help to support you on both sides, which is great if you move around a lot when you sleep.
3. Material
The materials used to manufacture pregnancy pillows are pretty much the same as those you would encounter when shopping for any bed or sleeping pillow.
The materials that make up your pregnancy pillow will help to determine the comfort they offer you, as well as the durability and convenience.
Some fabrics are softer than others, more breathable, or more durable, so you should choose one based on your personal preference, the climate you live in, and your lifestyle.
Removable covers are fantastic since you can wash them easily but check the labels first to see if they are suitable for machine washing and drying if that’s what you prefer.
The materials used for filling the pillow will also differ, so you should consider how much support you want before you make your purchase.
What is your current pillow filled with?
Perhaps the ideal filling for you will be something similar to what you’re used to, whether it’s firm, supportive, and contouring, or soft, fluffy, and more flexible.
4. Price
Most people these days manage their finances by living on some sort of budget, so price is an essential factor in all purchasing decisions.
You should expect to spend at least an amount ranging from $20 to $30 for a pregnancy pillow but be prepared for the larger, high-end options to cost a lot more, especially if you’re buying it in-store.
Luckily for us, we have so many options available online where the prices are more affordable.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When Should a Pregnant Woman Stop Sleeping on Her Back?
It’s advised that you stop sleeping on your back from around 20 weeks or 28 weeks at the latest, so the sooner you get used to a different sleeping position, the better.
When you sleep on your back, the weight of your abdomen will press against your intestines and major blood vessels.
The sheer weight of your growing uterus will become uncomfortable for you, anyway.
More importantly, though, it could cause complications by disrupting the blood flow to your baby and your heart, leaving you feeling dizzy and nauseous.
2. Can You Sleep on Your Back Propped up While Pregnant?
Yes, the best way for a back sleeper to sleep while pregnant is propped up and supported with pillows.
You can prop yourself up from one side to ensure you’re not fully on your back.
You can also prop yourself up behind your head and upper body so that gravity takes some of the weight off you.
You can also place a thin pillow underneath your belly to help support some of the weight there.
3. Why Do You Put a Pillow Between Your Legs When Pregnant?
Many people, not just pregnant women, are more comfortable sleeping with a pillow between the legs since it helps to keep the hips and pelvis aligned.
Even if you’ve never slept with a pillow between your legs before, you may find that it increases your comfort level dramatically when you’re pregnant.
This pillow placement reduces the stress placed on the hips and can help to alleviate any pain you’re experiencing in the lower back, hips, and legs.
4. Which Side Should You Sleep on When Pregnant?
Experts recommend sleeping on your left-hand side during pregnancy, especially as you head into your second trimester and beyond.
By sleeping on your left-hand side, you’re helping to increase the blood flow and amount of nutrients that reach your placenta and your baby.
5. Can Sleeping on Your Back Cause Stillbirth?
Research has suggested that continuous sleeping on your back during your third trimester can increase the risk of stillbirth by almost three times.
The weight of your uterus can restrict blood flow to your baby.
Hence, you should sleep on your side while pregnant.
As a back sleeper, most experts will recommend that you try to adjust to a new sleeping position as soon as possible.
Maternity or pregnancy pillows are especially useful for back sleepers since they help to prop you up throughout your sleep, making lying flat on your back impossible.
Final Verdict
We found it very difficult to narrow down our selection and choose just one winner for the very best pregnancy pillow for back sleepers.
We really love all five of these pillows, and the Bamibi pillow nearly took first prize for its flexibility alone.
In the end, though, we chose the PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow with its detachable side for convenience and travel.
We realized that you could also use this pillow for breastfeeding, as well as a baby nest and anti-roll cushion, but it also offers that full-body support when you need it.
You can enjoy the full U-shape design when you need the most support at the end of your pregnancy, or simply detach the side and use the “R-shape” that’s left, or even use the detached end as a long body pillow.
It offers fantastic quality, comfort, price, as well as a satisfaction guarantee and warranty to boot!
Now that you’re sleeping more comfortably, why not check out the best baby cribs available?