As your bump grows, lying comfortably gets harder. The NHS says the safest position to go to sleep in pregnancy is on your side, either left or right, and that you can support your bump with pillows and put a pillow between your knees.[1] A pregnancy body pillow is made for exactly that.
This guide covers what the NHS says about sleep position and back pain in pregnancy, what to look for in a pregnancy body pillow, and seven U-shaped pillows to compare. If you sleep on your stomach, see our guide to pregnancy pillows for stomach sleepers.
General information, not medical advice; talk to your midwife or doctor about sleep, pain or any worry in pregnancy.
Pregnancy body pillow basics
- The NHS says the safest position to go to sleep is on your side, either left or right. It says research suggests that falling asleep on your back after 28 weeks can double the risk of stillbirth.[1]
- If you wake up on your back, the NHS says not to worry. You can turn over and go back to sleep on your side.[1][2]
- The NHS suggests supporting your bump with pillows and putting a pillow between your knees.[1]
- For back pain in pregnancy, the NHS suggests keeping your back straight and well supported when you sit, and looking for maternity support pillows. It says you can take paracetamol unless your GP or midwife says not to.[3]
- Contact your GP or midwife urgently if back pain comes with a fever, bleeding, pain when you pee or pain under the ribs, or in the second or third trimester, because it could be a sign of early labour.[3]
Key Specs
| No. | Product | Type | Fill / material | Cover | Sizes | Care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moon Park Pregnancy U-Shaped | Body pillow | Polyester | – | 57 x 28 x 9 in | Removable cover |
| 2 | Queen Rose Pregnancy U-Shaped | Body pillow | – | – | 55 in | Machine washable |
| 3 | AngQi Pregnancy U-Shaped | Body pillow | – | Velvet | – | Removable cover |
| 4 | Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U | Body pillow | Fusion Fiberfill synthetic down | Cotton | 60 x 35 in | – |
| 5 | Momcozy Pregnancy U-Shaped | Body pillow | Polyester | – | 57 in | Removable cover |
| 6 | Sasttie Pregnancy | Down alternative body pillow | Down alternative, 40% silicified fiber and 60% polyester | – | 57 x 27.5 in | Removable cover |
| 7 | Meiz Pregnancy U-Shaped | Body pillow | – | Viscose from bamboo, 93%, with 7% spandex | 55 in | – |
– = not stated by the maker. Specs as stated by the maker, not tested by us.
Sleeping Safely in Pregnancy
The NHS says that research suggests falling asleep on your back after 28 weeks of pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth, and that this may be linked to the flow of blood and oxygen to the baby.[2] It says the safest position to fall asleep in is on your side, left or right, and that you should not worry if you wake up on your back, because you can turn over and go back to sleep.[2]
A body pillow helps you stay on your side. A U-shaped or C-shaped pillow props your belly and back, so that rolling onto your back takes more effort. The NHS says that as your bump gets bigger it can be difficult to get a good night’s sleep, and that lying down may feel uncomfortable.[1]
Easing Back Pain in Pregnancy
The NHS says it is very common to get back pain in pregnancy, because the ligaments soften and stretch to prepare for labour, which strains the joints of the lower back and pelvis.[3] It suggests these steps:
- Support When Sitting – Keep your back straight and well supported when you sit, and look for maternity support pillows.[3]
- Rest – Get enough rest, particularly later in pregnancy.[3]
- Warmth and Massage – A massage or a warm bath can help.[3]
- A Supportive Mattress – Use a mattress that supports you properly.[3]
- Back Care Class – Go to a group or individual back care class. If the pain is very bad, your GP or midwife may refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist.[3]
Do not start any medicine on your own. The NHS says paracetamol is fine for back pain in pregnancy unless your GP or midwife has told you not to, and to follow the instructions on the packet.[3]
Features of a Good Pregnancy Body Pillow
- Shape – U-shaped pillows wrap around you and support the back and belly together, and some can be rearranged for sitting. Compare the length with your height and the width of your bed.
- Fill – Polyester fiber and down alternative are the usual fills. They are lighter than foam and can be reshaped. Some pillows let you add or remove fill.
- Cover – A removable cover is easier to wash. Look at the care label for the maximum water temperature, and check whether the whole pillow can be washed.
- Certifications – OEKO-TEX Standard 100 means the fabric has been tested for harmful substances.
- Size – A long pillow takes a lot of room on a smaller bed.
How We Chose These Pillows
These picks come from desk research. We compared the makers’ public product information, the The web product pages and buyer feedback. We did not test the pillows ourselves.
We looked at these factors:
- Shape and Length – U-shaped design and the stated length.
- Fill – Polyester fiber, down alternative or adjustable fill.
- Cover and Care – Removable cover, washing instructions and certifications.
- Use – Whether it works for sleeping, nursing, reading and sitting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Pregnancy Body Pillows
- What is the best sleeping position in pregnancy?
The NHS says the safest position to go to sleep is on your side, left or right. It says research suggests that after 28 weeks, falling asleep on your back can double the risk of stillbirth.[1] - Should I worry if I wake up on my back?
No. The NHS says to turn over and go back to sleep on your side.[1] - Which shape is best, U or C?
A U-shaped pillow supports you on both sides, so you can turn over without moving the pillow, but it takes more room. A C-shaped or wedge pillow is smaller and supports one side. Choose by the width of your bed and how you move at night. - Can I take painkillers for back pain in pregnancy?
The NHS says you can take paracetamol to ease back pain in pregnancy unless your GP or midwife says not to. Ask them before you take anything else.[3] - When should I call my midwife about back pain?
The NHS says to contact your GP or midwife urgently if back pain comes with a fever, bleeding from the vagina, pain when you pee, pain under the ribs, or in the second or third trimester, because it could be early labour. Call 999 if you lose feeling in your legs, bottom or genitals.[3]
Our Picks: Pregnancy Body Pillows
Here are seven pregnancy body pillows to compare. We hope you love the products we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. This does not change your price.
1
Moon Park® Pregnancy U-Shaped Long Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Moon Park Pregnancy U-Shaped is a 57-inch U-shaped body pillow with a polyester fill and a removable cover.
- The shape wraps around your head, belly, back and knees, so it can stand in for several separate pillows.
- You can also use it for nursing, reading or watching TV.
- The cover comes off for washing.
2
Queen Rose® Pregnancy U-Shaped Washable Long Cooling Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Queen Rose Pregnancy U-Shaped is a 55-inch U-shaped pillow with extra support for the belly and back when you lie on your side.
- The cover is a silky breathable fabric and it is machine washable.
- It supports the shoulders, lower back, belly, pelvis, knees and ankles from one pillow.
- You can also use it on the sofa when you sit, read or nurse.
3
AngQi® Pregnancy U-Shaped Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The AngQi Pregnancy U-Shaped is a U-shaped body pillow with a removable velvet cover.
- The inner case has zippers, so you can add or take out fill to set the loft.
- It is made for side sleepers who want support along the whole body, from the belly to the knees.
4
Moonlight Slumber® Comfort-U Total Body Support Maternity Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U is a firm U-shaped full-body pillow filled with synthetic Fusion Fiberfill, made in the USA.
- It is oversized, at about 60 x 35 inches, and wraps around the body from 360 degrees.
- The zippered poly-cotton cover is removable, and the whole pillow can go in a large washer or dryer on a gentle cycle.
- You can also use it as a reading pillow or as support for the back.
5
Momcozy® Pregnancy U-Shaped Long Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Momcozy Pregnancy U-Shaped is a 57-inch U-shaped full-body pillow with a polyester fill and a removable cover.
- It supports the head, back, belly, sides, knees, hips and feet.
- You can reshape it for sleeping, watching TV or reading.
- The cover is removable.
6
Sasttie® Pregnancy Cooling Down Alternative Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Sasttie Pregnancy is a 57 x 27.5 inch U-shaped body pillow filled with about 7 pounds of down alternative.
- The fill is 40 percent silicified fiber and 60 percent polyester, and the pillow is OEKO-TEX certified.
- The zippered cover is breathable and removable for washing.
- It is long enough to run from head to feet.
7
Meiz® Pregnancy U-Shaped Long Cooling Body Pillow
Currently unavailable
The Meiz Pregnancy U-Shaped is a 55-inch U-shaped pillow with a cover of viscose made from bamboo.
- The cover is 93 percent viscose from bamboo and 7 percent spandex, and the cover and the filling are certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
- It suits side, back and stomach sleepers, and works for reading and TV too.
Index Table: Pregnancy Body Pillows
| No. | Product | Image | Features | Brand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moon Park Pregnancy U-Shaped - Long Body Pillow |  |
| Moon Park |
| 2 | Queen Rose Pregnancy U-Shaped - Washable Long Cooling Body Pillow |  |
| Queen Rose |
| 3 | AngQi Pregnancy U-Shaped - Body Pillow |  |
| AngQi |
| 4 | Moonlight Slumber Comfort-U - Total Body Support Maternity Pillow |  |
| Moonlight Slumber |
| 5 | Momcozy Pregnancy U-Shaped - Long Body Pillow |  |
| Momcozy |
| 6 | Sasttie Pregnancy - Cooling Down Alternative Body Pillow |  |
| Sasttie |
| 7 | Meiz Pregnancy U-Shaped - Long Cooling Body Pillow |  |
| Meiz |
Sources
- National Health Service (NHS). Tiredness and sleep problems in pregnancy. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Preventing stillbirth. Accessed October 27, 2026.
- National Health Service (NHS). Back pain in pregnancy. Accessed October 27, 2026.
Update History
- Oct 2026: Rewrote the article around NHS guidance on sleep position, stillbirth and back pain in pregnancy, removed the unsourced claims about blood flow, oxygen, painkillers and memory foam safety, rewrote all seven product notes and corrected their Key Specs and added a disclaimer line, a takeaways box, How We Chose and an FAQ
- Oct 2026: Replaced the Sources with three reviewed pages
- Oct 2026: Replaced unavailable products: Leachco Snoogle Pillow with Moon Park Pregnancy U-Shaped Pillow; Queen Rose Full Body Pillow with Queen Rose Pregnancy U-Shaped Pillow; AngQi 65 Inch Pillow with AngQi Pregnancy U-Shaped Pillow; Leachco Body Bumper Pillow with Momcozy Pregnancy U-Shaped Pillow; NiDream Premium Pillow with Sasttie Pregnancy Pillow; Lucid memory Foam Pillow with Meiz Pregnancy U-Shaped Pillow
- Oct 2026: Removed PharMeDoc Pregnancy Women and Milliard Full Body Pillow (unavailable)
- Oct 2026: Added a Key Specs comparison table and a Sources section
- Feb 2022: Added Leachco Snoogle Pillow
- Sep 2021: Added Queen Rose Full Body Pillow
- Mar 2020: Added Milliard Full Body Pillow, AngQi 65 Inch Pillow and Lucid memory Foam Pillow
- Jul 2019: Added NiDream Premium Pillow
- Jan 2019: Added PharMeDoc Pregnancy Women
- Mar 2018: Added Moonlight Slumber Comfort U-Shaped Pillow
- Sep 2017: Published
