Pregnancy pillows - seriously?

[LouiseD29]

A 27 weeks and starting to get really uncomfortable in bed with ongoing back pain. Have heard from a few people that 'swear by' pregnancy pillows, but I can't shake the feeling that it would be a pointless extravagance to get one when I would only need it for a few months, and can't believe they really better than just wedging myself in with normal pillows.

Any devotees care to convince me otherwise?

I bought one and it helped a bit but in hindsight a normal pillow would have been fine.

I found a normal pillows wedged to back and another between my knees really helped, after all a pg pillow is just that but sewn together

I wish I'd had one last time.

normal pillow is fine. and an extra one to prop up on. snuggly loveliness

I loved mine! It was fantastic and particularly in the later stages where I would wrap myself around it. Have leant to my friend now and she loves it too. Less hassle than putting individual pillows in strategic positions

Normal pillows are better, I think. You can put them in the right places and use different thicknesses where you want to.

I had a pillow behind my back, a pillow under my bump and a pillow between my knees. Turning over was a major operation. DH moved in to the spare room to give me room for my pillows :)

I used normal pillows to prop me into a comfortable sleeping position. The 'snake' type pregnancy pillow I had didn't cut it after 30 weeks. HOWEVER, this 'snake' pillow came into it's own after the birth. I shaped it into a donut and sat on it after having stitches, in fact the only way I could sit down for a few weeks! Also is brill at proping me into a comfortable position whilst breast feeding. And also baby likes laying in it whilst snoozing. So I would say, for me at least, it was money well spent.

I had a bolster pillow which was perfect to drape myself over and around

You can get bolster or v shaped pillows that don't cost the earth. Or use a big duvet to you and you can put it where you need it.

I have got an E shape pregnancy pillow and there are days it's the only place I'm comfortable. For me its nota waste as I will use it for breastfeeding .

I used normal pillows to prop me into a comfortable sleeping position. The 'snake' type pregnancy pillow I had didn't cut it after 30 weeks. HOWEVER, this 'snake' pillow came into it's own after the birth. I shaped it into a donut and sat on it after having stitches, in fact the only way I could sit down for a few weeks! Also is brill at proping me into a comfortable position whilst breast feeding. And also baby likes laying in it whilst snoozing. So I would say, for me at least, it was money well spent.

I borrowed a dream genie in the hope of crushing my love of belly sleeping. But actually I cheated and just slept on top of it . So I moved to lots of regular pillows which as time has gone on is good as the way I can sleep comfortably is different now at 38 weeks than it was at say 22. I say why not try pillows first (if you have spares already is no cost) and if that doesn't cut it invest - there is no price on a decent nights sleep IMHO .

I cracked and got a snake pillow about a month ago. I found it far more comfortable and convenient than having to arrange and re-arrange the 4 pillows I had been previously using. The one I got can also be used for breast feeding post-birth, and I like the tip from iamfizzy about it being helpful after stitches. They're some on ebay that are going cheap...

I had a v shaped one ( cheap argos job) it was really good for sleeping, then feeding.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and cracked and bought a dream genie last Sat. Had been having painful hips and kept waking up on my back so was trying to train myself to sleep on my side. I'd used normal pillows but found them useless for me-particularly after getting up for loo in night-I'd end up in a tangle or abandon them altogether... Also they still left me in pain.

Dream genie is great-far easier to use, I was the same as you and debated as they seemed so expensive. Bought one in mamas and papas sale and had far better nights sleep-so far so good!

I have the Dream Genii and feel that it has helped me maintain good quality sleep. I'm 36 weeks now so wake fairly regularly to go to the loo, but I'm comfy the rest of the time and get back to sleep easily.

I find the Dream Genii better than using a stack of pillows because it is less cumbersome, I can mould it around my bump, squish is between my legs and support my back all at the same time. Personally I think I'd find having to rearrange individual pillows more disruptive to my sleep.

The other thing I like is that while it encourages you to sleep on your left side, if you do roll over onto yr right, you are still comfy, which suits me as I'm a bedtime wriggler, even with the hefty bump. i love mine, I take it downstairs when I'm lying on the sofa too so it gets a lot of use.

If you're worried about the cost, do you have a friend you can borrow one off to see if its right for you?

I muddled through my first pregnancy without one, but was on about five extra normal pillows by the time I was 40 weeks. This time round I got a dream genie for £20 in TK maxx and haven't regretted it!

I'd definitely buy one. I got mine secondhand and hardly used, and bought a new cover. They're long so you can put between your knees for extra support. I thought it would be a pointless extravagance too, but at 25 weeks I'm already glad I got it x

I bought one, used for 2-3 weeks and now it's just sitting around. Instead of buying the pillow, go and see an osteopath! I wish I hadn't bought mine ...

Thanks for the replies! chesterado we have a TK Maxx down the road so might check it out. Tbh it's worry about cluttering up the place with loads of stuff that i won't need in a few months as much as anything. But I guess that'll happen with a baby anyway, so maybe I should just give in and start shopping!

Argos have a full body pillow for sale right now for 9.99. X

I put normal pillow one side and my husband sleeps other side.. these both make a perfect pregnancy pillow for me .. I put one leg on his bum and sleep in hugging position from his behind..

Total Godsend with my SPD.

I've not had to use one, however the physio at antenatal class suggested buying a cheap single duvet as an alternative and rolling it up, she'd done that herself in 3 pregnancies.

This is baby 3 and I think a couple of normal pillows are better - more adjustable.

I have tried pregnancy pillows, v shaped pillows, normal pillows, rolled up quilts... Absolutely everything! Nothing has and doesn't work for me : ( just can't get bloody comfortable so haven't a good night sleep for months!! I only have a few weeks left to go and can't wait! I don't care that I will be up all night when the baby comes as at least at some point in the day or night I can get even an hour decent sleep it will be worth it! : ) I'd save my money! X