Dream genii - worth it?

[PrincessJenga]

I'm finding it harder and harder to get comfy at night (35 weeks pg) and considering investing in a dream genii. They seem REALLY expensive though. Is it worth it or is my current 'pillow fort' equally effective? Anyone used one? Love it? Hate it?


MNHQ Update
This is an old thread, but if you've landed here while on the hunt for pregnancy pillow recommendations, our guide to the best pregnancy pillows has been recently updated. It includes a wide range of options and has been compiled based on the advice of Mumsnetters and maternity healthcare experts. We hope it's helpful!

[Lanyloo]

I used mine lots in my first pregnancy and used it to breastfeed in the early days. I've kept it and will be using it with this pregnancy too so definately worth the money in my opinion.

[Annie456]

It does take a LOT of getting used to and finding your own way of sleeping with it. I, personally can't bear it under the duvet - I just get really annoyed and frustrated then I want to move it and it gets all tangled. But it's getting warm enough to sleep on top of the duvet and then I love it. Also, perfect for daytime naps which i've only started needing from 28 weeks. I don't find turning over an issue as you don't actually have to flip the pillow over, you just pull the long bit back through your legs.

See if you can get a second hand one - as long as it's been used with a cover.

[allthefires]

Thank you. I will keep trying. I think it's because I'm a bit bigger than most and find the bit you lie on not quite wide enough!

[Bartimaeus]

I've given the pillow annother try, using it the "proper" way. First night wasn't so good but last night was ok, once I got used to being between two bits of the pillow - I don't like sleeping with stuff squished next to me normally.

Will keep perservering I think

[OrangeGloss]

I got mine a week ago at 29 weeks and it's the best nights sleep I've had in weeks. I chose it because it gave back and bump/leg support and my stack of pillows kept falling off the bed or moving in the night

I find it easy to turn over if I lift my leg out of the long bit, turn over then put it between my legs from behind leaving the pillow in it's original position iyswim

I don't know about it's usefulness with breastfeeding but if nothing else it'll have given me lots of good sleep so money well spent - for me anyway :)

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

allthefires it does have other uses. I think it will be great for breastfeeding and I've also used it as a head rest, or to prop myself up when watching TV in bed. if you've already bought it, keep it a bit longer and see how you go before ebaying it.

[allthefires]

I don't like mine. Going to keep trying with it though.

Wondering of it really will be good for breastfeeding or should I eBay it,

[lovemysleep]

I've used one for about 5 weeks now - I'm 25 weeks pg. I love it - I was struggling with hip pain, and a normal pillow was a pain in the arse when it came to rolling from side to side. They are pricey - DH bought mine - but priceless if they help you get a good nights sleep. Hip pain is now less severe (also have a foam mattress topper too), and I feel well supported as I groww bigger. You can also use them when BF too, so I think you get your moneys worth.

[Pippaandpolly]

I quite like mine used backwards. I find the way it's meant to be really counter-intuitive - it seems to encourage me onto my back which is not the point!

[PrincessJenga]

Wow. Really mixed views! That didn't help. I wanted you to all say "yes, get it!" or "no, it's not worth it" I just wish I'd bought one earlier. The extortionate price might have felt more worthwhile if I was getting seven or eight months use out of it!

[TransatlanticCityGirl]

I hated mine until I got to 36 weeks or so. I found it gave me backache, and it created an annoying barrier between me and DH. Didn't make sleeping any comfier.

In the last few weeks I have used it and think it's ok, helps a little... but I could get the same effect with a normal pillow.

[witches]

Another big fan here. I also questioned price but after several nights no sleep would have paid a million pound for one if it made a difference and it did for me, helped relieve the pressure.

[nannyl]

mine was £20 inc P&P from ebay.

decided if i didnt like it id stick it back on ebay, but i love it so not getting rid of it anytime soon!

[RugbyWidow7]

I wanted one but thought them too expensive for what they are, so bought a v-shaped pillow from Mothercare for £25 instead. Works quite well I think.

[babyonbord]

definatly worth it mine really helped my sleep throughout my first pregnancy and is helping me loads during this one, plus they are brilliant for feeding the baby afterwards, i love mine and couldn't do without it

[Nesbymum]

I love mine too! It has really helped me to get comfortable night and I find it easy to use and roll over with. It did take a few nights to get used to though.

[QuiltySecrets]

I love mine! I'm 23 weeks and got it a couple of weeks ago. It has taken some getting used to - the first couple of nights I woke up in the morning to discover I'd chucked it out of bed at some point in the night! But now I think it has trained me to stay sleeping on my left hand side and I don't keep waking myself up by finding myself uncomfortably on my back.

[hubbahubster]

I love mine. The problem with having loads of pillows in the bed is that they tend to fall out in the night, whereas with the Dream Genie you sleep in the middle of it so that doesn't happen. Can't understand why it would be a problem when you turn over as you don't have to move it, unlike when I was using normal pillows ? every time I shifted, I had to rebuilt the 'fort'. Plus you can use it when nursing so it'll still be useful after birth.

Just my experience but I find it much easier to settle back to sleep after I wake up in the night now too. I've had it since about 20 weeks and I'm now 25.

[missingmyflatbelly]

I loved mine in second trimester but it was useless in third trimester so if yr 35wks I wouldn't bother getting it now and just use normal pillows

[PrincessScrumpy]

I have a v-shaped pillow and put it between my legs with other bit coming up to support my bump. I also used it to help feeding dd1 and plan to again this time - 27w pg with twins. DH sometimes helped get me in the right position with dd1 but I seem to have it sorted this time.

[TheWicketKeeperIsDown]

I really liked mine - but got it on eBay so didn't feel as if I would have been wasting so much money if I didn't get on with it. DH moaned about sharing the bed with "the contraption" though

[PinkFondantFancy]

I use mine without the leg bit (so just the back and bump support) - up until a week ago or so I thought it was a waste of money but am starting to find it's coming into its own now (26 weeks). If you don't use the leg bit it's easy to roll over etc.

[nannyl]

I love mine

am 28 weeks and have used it every night since about 22 weeks. I dont think i could sleep without it anymore (until im no longer pregnant and can sleep in my favourite position again (on my tummy!)

[nicolamumof3]

i've given up with mine a couple of weeks ago for all the reasons stated above. Am 36+4.

[DitaVonCheese]

Completely pointless, made it really hard to turn over in bed and it doesn't really work unless you are lying in the exact same shape as the pillow. Ended up ebaying mine (and made a slight profit ). Said I would just get a cheap V-shaped pillow next time round but in fact have ended up with one of those six foot long sausage shaped ones which I got at an NCT NNS for £3 and love. Though I think I have SPD this time round and didn't last time so not sure what that shows ...