What does a pregnancy pillow do?

[Vuduvu]

I’m almost 20 weeks and have a little bump now, and I’m starting to get really uncomfortable at night - like sore abdominal muscles waking me up in the small hours. It’s really hard to keep lying on my left side! I keep waking up and finding I’m on my back :(

Does anyone know if a pregnancy pillow will help with this? What are they/how do they work?

Thanks xx

If it's comfortable for you, you can still sleep on your belly! I'm 27+5 and sometimes I still wake up in the middle of the night like that! I found it keeps me in positions a bit more and I rest my bump on it so it's easier to sleep on my side. If I roll, I don't feel guilty. & just make sure I roll back over to go back to sleep 😊

I love mine. I sleep on my side, kind of wrapped round it. Very comfortable. Also helpful later on for getting comfy in newborn breastfeeding marathons, or as a safety rail/barrier for a small one who suddenly fell asleep on the big bed.

They're great, until you need to move

Love mine.. rest my tummy on it and then have it between my legs, helps stabilise your hips etc - very comfy

Mostly it goes between your knees and under your bump as you lie on your side. It supports the bump and stabilises the hips to help stop them hurting.

I bought the dream genii pillow a few days ago as I am a tummy or right hand side sleep person so it was awful lying on my left and kept waking up rolled over. It has literally been a miracle, I now sleep right through and on my left. So glad I bought it. I got it for a £10 on Facebook marketplace but I'd happily pay full price now I've experienced it

OMG the pregnancy pillow, it was a genuine pleasure to have, I loved it. One of the few pregnancy purchases that was worth the money. One word of warning, I got so used to sleeping in that position that I now, fourteen years on, still can’t sleep properly unless I’ve got one arm and one leg flung over DH

I'm no longer pregnant (second baby is now 3.5 years!) and I still use mine. I tuck it between my knees and when pregnant I tucked it under my bump (and now under my slightly round non-pregnant belly!). Sleep even now is lovely!

I have a giant u-shaped one that I've been using since 15 weeks: www.amazon.co.uk/EGYPTIAN-MATERNITY-PREGNANCY-Sleep-Smile/dp/B01BWVAD8E?tag=mumsnetforum-21

It is the BEST THING EVER. Really supportive, and because it goes round your back as well, it stops you rolling onto your back (I found normal pillows tended to shuffle away from me somehow). And because it's symmetrical, if you want to roll over in the night, no need to rearrange, you just turn and hug the other side. Can't recommend it more - not sure I'll want to get rid of it when baby's here!

I got the dream genii too. I used to bring it to hotels etc. A lifesaver. I had SPD.

It mostly just annoyed my husband and then later me. I switched to a regular pillow between my knees instead.

I used the Dream Genie too. I had SPD in one pregnancy and it really helped with that. I used it both times and slept so much better. Then used it during breastfeeding when they are very little, very good for supporting your arms.

Thanks all, so helpful! Think I will go ahead and get one :)

@aussiemum28 thanks, I will try not to feel guilty if I wake up on my back!

I could not have slept at all in the later stages of my twin pregnancy without one, was a lifesaver!