Is it worth it to buy a Pregnancy Pillow?

[Dot-to-Dot]

Last pregnancy was miserable with pillows all over the place, some too soft, some too firm, many falling off the bed and me never getting the right support. I would actually ask my husband to sleep right up against my back with firm pressure to hold me in place. But, eventaully, he'd slip away as he slept and then I would lay awake listening to him snore. My hips were constantly tensed (and sore) as they tried to hold me in place so I didn't roll onto my back where I couldn't breathe and so I didn't roll forward smooshing my stomach. Urg!

I'm considering buying the Snoozer from Babies R Us with a 20% off coupon, but I do wonder about how I will switch sides under the covers with this huge pillow. Last time, every time I switched sides with my pillow fort, I'd accidentally drag all the blanket with me and leave poor dh in the cold.

I mostly need the support from behind to hold me up. I don't really like support under my stomach. I'm just wondering if this pillow will actually hold me in place supporting my back, or will it just drift loose in the night.

Anyone want to share their experience?

[fruitfulmomma]

I said yes, but my pregnancy pillow wasn't designed for pregnancy, it is one of those long full body pillows. I have two that I got with my oldest and I absolutely can not do without them during pregnancy. It is kind of a pain to turn over with one of them between your legs, but well worth it.

[WifeofAnt]

I tried using regular pillows but they just made me feel worse. I sleep almost exactly the same as I did pre-pregnancy. The only difference is its much harder to maneuver in and out of bed and getting up to pee at 4 AM.

[Qbear'smama]

Another vote for a regular long body pillow. Mine is flannel covered and so nice and cosy. I had it between knees and under belly for a while, now it's mostly between knees (belly basically touches the bed) and actually gives me a nice little buffer from the 4-year-old in my bed. I agree it's a bit of a pain rolling over with it, but I got it when I was pregnant last time and both times I have loved it. If all you want is a little back support, perhaps one of those wedge pillows would be good? My mother got me one and I wedged it behind me when my back needed the support. Now I'm back to just the body pillow.

[Jenne]

I have a $10??? long body pillow from Walmart that I covered with my own casing (an organic flannel sheet that I stiched up 2 sides and knotted at the bottom) that I even take with me now when I travel. To switch sides I just clasp it to me and roll. But I use it to support my top leg and arm.

For hip/shoulder pain I *highly* recommend acupuncture. You should see if there is a "community acupuncture clinic" (sliding scale, group treatment, treatment is like $15-25 a session) near you. I have been treated 2 times so far this pregnancy for aching hips/shoulders and have gone in in pain, unable to sleep and then slept like a log the next week without pain. Awesomeness!

I hope you find something that works for you and keeps you comfortable.

Thanks,
Jenne

[MyFullHouse]

Yes! (Though I'm another who went with a standard body pillow.)

Dh and I use separate covers (a wonderful holdover from the days of cosleeping!), so while it can be slightly annoying to rearrange my own, I don't have to worry about stealing his.

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

I said yes, but my pregnancy pillow wasn't designed for pregnancy, it is one of those long full body pillows. I have two that I got with my oldest and I absolutely can not do without them during pregnancy. It is kind of a pain to turn over with one of them between your legs, but well worth it.

yeah, i got a $15 round body pillow for my PG and it was fine. PG before that found a throw pillow at the thrift store and loved it
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[jessica_s]

My husband got me a snoogle during my last pregnancy for Christmas and during my last pregnancy I really wasn't in too bad of shape and could have probably been fine with a body pillow or something like that.
This time around I've got a lot more aches and pains and it's been a huge difference in being able to sleep at night. I still need a pillow in the middle to hug (need that, even if I'm not pregnant) but it keeps me from rolling over totally on my back which I do in my sleep and I feel all around supported.
It's a pain to switch sides at night still (I leave the pillow alone, unfold from it and hug it backwards) but I find that I'm not switching so much because I'm comfortable and my hips aren't killing me.

[wehrli]

i went ahead and bought a pregnancy body pillow because i have a hard time with comfort during the night pre-pregnancy. i did my research and bought the Leachco Back 'N Belly... i love it!!! no need to worry about switching sides in the middle of the night. it stays in place just fine too. i was a bit worried about DP having enough room in our queen size bed but it's not as big as it seems. did i mention i LOVE it?!

[Annemarie42]

Regular cheapy body pillow here-- and I love it, I got it around 14 weeks and it is fabulous. My sister did have a fancy one and she loved it, though.

[northcountrymamma]

I have a snoogle...and while I could live without it for sure, it's really nice to have. It's just an added comfort to a somewhat sleepless existence right now!

[spargel]

I think so - I bought one and sleep so much better now. I keep it on one side and my longer, king size pillow on the other to kind of brace me or I can use it when I roll to the other side.

I wound up having to buy a second one because I kept waking up to my husband throwing his leg over it too. Now we have his and hers Boppy pregnancy pillows (and most of the time the dog shares them too!)

[m0xxie]

Due to the enormous generosity of freecyclers in my area, I haven't actually had to spend anything on pregnancy pillows, but have had two handed down to me, first a generic long body pillow, then a Leachco Back 'N Belly pillow.

Since I have been alternating between the queen bed in the master bedroom and the futon couch/bed in the family room, I keep one for each "nest" and I love and use them both very happily. As others here have noted, the body pillow is great between my knees, just the right amount of support all along my body.

The Leachco is very flexible, I pull it around my body in all sorts of ways depending on how I'm feeling, and supplement it with lots of throw pillows from the couch to get myself in just the perfect position. If I hadn't gotten them free, they would definitely be worth spending the money to me.

[hannybanany]

Another body pillow lover here. Definitely worth the 10 or so bucks I spent on it.

[penstamon]

I never thought I would need one but SIL found one on Freecycle for me at 20w last pg and I don't think I would have slept so soundly without it, Plus my back and hips never hurt!

The downside was that it was a third "person" between DH and I. I'm not sure how to pull it off this pg with DS still co-sleeping...

[WifeofAnt]

I guess I'm the only freak more comfortable without a pillow!

[azzeps]

My mom got me a fancy "for pregnancy" pillow - maybe it was a snoogle? I don't remember. Anyway, I ended up switching out for a regular body pillow as it was much easier to maneuver at nighttime, rolling over and such. Also, I totally relate to what you said about trying to roll over and rearrange the covers. I ended up buying some very warm PJs, and I just went without covers. Then I didn't get all tangled up in the sheets and blanket when I rolled over. Hope you can get comfy so you can get your rest!

[Smokering]

Funny - I'm only 8 weeks and I've already started sleeping with a regular pillow between my knees. I don't know why, but it feels... wrong... when I don't have it. I'll have to look into getting a proper body pillow later on - I remember asking DH to sleep back-to-back with me as well for support, but DD loves to sleep between us these days.

[starbyfar7]

no contest! i need a body pillow like i need air! since i bought one, pregnancy insomnia has been a thing of the past.

[lizzylou]

I have a snoogle and I do like it, but if there is anyone else sleeping in your bed then you might find regular pillows easier to maneuver.