During pregnancy, as the body changes and the baby grows, the hips can become strained and affect basic daily activities. Hip pain is a common issue for many pregnant women, especially as they enter the later stages of their pregnancy. This discomfort can make it challenging to get a good night’s sleep, which is essential for both the mother and the growing baby. For this reason, it’s smart to invest in an ergonomic pregnancy pillow to alleviate hip discomfort and provide support to the body.
Made for use in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, pregnancy pillows for hip pain are specifically designed to combat common sleep concerns and reduce aches and pains. Having a soft, yet sturdy support can take the pressure off your hips, back and bump, as well as keep your neck, spine and hips properly aligned during pregnancy.
With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to choose the best pregnancy pillow for hip pain. Before making a purchase, there are several factors that need to be considered. To help you make a well-informed decision, we have researched and tested several pillows to identify the ones that offer the best support and comfort for pregnant women experiencing hip pain.
Common Causes of Hip Pain During Pregnancy
Hip pain is a common complaint during pregnancy affecting up roughly 50% to 90% of women (Goossens et al., 2021). The severity of the pain can vary per person, and it can also vary throughout the pregnancy. There are several factors that can contribute to hip pain during pregnancy, including:
- Weight gain: As the baby grows, the body’s center of gravity shifts forward, putting more pressure on the hips.
- Hormonal changes: The body produces a hormone called relaxin, which helps to loosen the ligaments in the pelvis to prepare for childbirth. However, this hormone can also cause the ligaments in the hips to become more flexible, leading to instability and pain.
- Posture: Poor posture can put extra pressure on the hips and lower back, leading to pain.
- Sleeping position: Sleeping on the side, especially the left side, is recommended during pregnancy. However, this can put pressure on the hips, leading to pain.
4 Best Pregnancy Pillows for Hip Pain
Pregnancy can be an exciting, yet challenging time for expecting mothers. If you’re a mother to be and experience hip pain during your pregnancy – you’re not alone. In fact, around 32% of women experience some type of hip pain during pregnancy. The pain may be present at the side or back of the hip, or in the general pelvic girdle area. It may feel dull or sharp, which may come gradually or suddenly.
Read on to find the perfect pillow for hip pain so you can alleviate any discomfort and have a peaceful night’s sleep.
MOON PARK Pregnancy Pillow
- ✅Ergonomic Design for Adults - Moon Park full body pillow is designed with ergonomics in mind, offering optimal support for your head, back, belly, sides, knees, hips, and feet. Its unique shape replaces the need for multiple bed pillows.
- ✅Achieve Deep Sleep with the Moon Park Maternity Pillow - The Moon Park pregnancy body pillow enhances blood circulation throughout the night and relieves body pressure, alleviating back pain, hip discomfort, and leg swelling. It promotes exceptional comfort, pain relief, and quality rest for expectant mothers.
- ✅Experience the Cozy Comfort of Sleeping on a Cloud Every Night - Our premium polyester-filled pregnancy pillow provides the perfect balance of comfort and support for your entire body. Say goodbye to tossing and turning during the night and enjoy the feeling of sleeping on a cloud. It maintains its shape even after prolonged use.
Expecting a bundle of joy but struggling with hip pain? Look no further than the MOON PARK Pregnancy Pillow. This ergonomic pillow is designed to offer expectant mothers full-body support and alleviate any discomfort for a restful night’s sleep. Its unique U-shape design replaces the need for multiple bed pillows, providing support for the head, back, belly, sides, knees, hips and feet.
The pillow’s ergonomic design enhances blood circulation throughout the night, which can help alleviate back pain, hip discomfort, and leg swelling. This feature makes it a great choice for anyone experiencing pregnancy-related discomfort. It’s also versatile enough to be used by both side and back sleepers. This can provide support for women who are nursing, watching TV, reading and more.
Specifications:
- Brand: MOON PARK
- Special Feature: Flexible, removable, durable, premium and full body support
- Color: Gray
- Size: Velvet Cover – 57 inch
- Material: Polyester
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Provides optimal support for head, back, belly, sides, knees, hips and feet. Enhances blood circulation throughout the night, relieving back pain, hip discomfort and leg swelling. Suitable for both side and back sleepers. | May be too bulky for some users, making it difficult to move around in bed. May be too soft, lacking firmness for some users. Pillow cover may not be durable. |
Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow
- ORTHOPEDIC LEG PILLOW TO HELP REDUCE BACK, HIP, LEG, KNEE & SCIATICA NERVE DISCOMFORT- As a side sleeper, you don’t sleep perfectly straight. Your top leg drops in front of you putting pressure on your back, your hip joints twist & your knees touch, causing pain. The Contour Legacy Pillow is the best leg pillow cushion for those looking for relief as the cushion comfortably supports your legs & knees to provide proper sleeping alignment & positioning to eliminate those painful pressure points.
- THE ONLY LEG PILLOW THAT SUPPORTS BOTH YOUR LEGS & KNEES – When we first invented our leg pillow back in the early 90’s (the hour glass shape that so many companies have now copied), our goal was to improve sleeping alignment to reduce pain. The leg pillow was invented to help reduce pressure that occurs from bad sleeping posture which causes discomfort. Years later we realized that cushioning & supporting BOTH your legs & knees are important in maintaining proper alignment to help reduce pain.
- VENTILATED MEMORY FOAM ALLOWS AIR TO CIRCULATE FOR A COOLER NIGHTS SLEEP – Unlike traditional memory foam leg pillow that are designed to absorb your body heat in order to compress, the Contour Legacy Leg Pillow is designed with ventilated air holes in the memory foam that promote air circulation throughout the night. The temperature regulating foam technology pushes the heat outwards away from your body, to prevent you from feeling like you are overheating.
The Contour Legacy Leg & Knee Foam Support Pillow is a great option for anyone looking for a comfortable and effective way to alleviate hip pain during pregnancy. While the pillow is ideal for pregnant women, men can also use it as its true ergonomic design contours the natural shape of your legs. It features tapered edges that allow for full range of mobility, so you can move freely throughout the night without feeling restricted.
The pillow is also designed with ventilated air holes in the memory foam to promote air circulation and prevent overheating. Its orthopedic support helps to reduce pressure points and maintain proper alignment, while its ventilated memory foam allows for a cooler night’s sleep.
Specifications:
- Brand: Contour:
- Special Feature: Washable
- Color: Original
- Size: 1 Pack – 10”L x 9.5”W
- Material: Memory foam
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Supports and reduces back, hip, leg, knee and sciatica nerve discomfort. Supports both legs and knees for proper alignment. Allows air circulation for a cooler night’s sleep. 1 Year Customer Care Manufacturer Warranty Product Protection | May be too firm or too short for some users. May take time to get used to. Has a strong odor when first opened. |
Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping
- Ergonomic Design- Momcozy full body pillow designs to replace the needs of multiple bed pillows, it hugs your entire body and conforms to both sides, perfectly support the head, back, belly, sides, knees, hip, and feet.
- Deeply Sleep With Momcozy Maternity Pillow - Our pregnancy body pillow helps improve blood circulation all night long and releases your body pressure, effectively relieves back sore, hip pain and leg swelling. Providing exceptional comfort, pain relief, and quality rest for expecting mothers.
- Makes You Feel Like Sleeping In A Cloud Every Night - Our pregnant pillows for sleeping is filled with premium polyester, provides the perfect balance between comfort and support for your full body, no more tossing and turning. It is durable enough to keep its shape after weight is placed on it night after night.
Sleep like a baby during pregnancy with Momcozy Pregnancy Pillows for Sleeping. After experiencing a significant amount of hip pain, you can bid it farewell and enjoy the full-body support you truly deserve. The pillow is designed to replace the needs of multiple bed pillows, providing exceptional comfort, pain relief and quality rest. It is filled with premium polyester, which provides the perfect balance between comfort and support for your full body, no more tossing and turning.
The pillow is flexible and can be used in various positions. It can support activities such as nursing, watching TV, or reading. It fits both side and back sleepers, and you don’t need to be pregnant to use it. It can also help with the discomfort associated with pregnancy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, gastric reflux, back pain, ankle pain and more. Plus, it has a removable cover that is machine washable and its durability keeps its shape after weight is placed.
Specifications
- Brand: Momcozy
- Special Feature: Durable, flexible, premium and removable
- Color: Gray
- Size: 1 Pack – 57 inch
- Material: Polyester
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Made of soft velvet. Supports the head, back, belly, sides, knees, hip and feet. Improves blood circulation and releases body pressure. Relieves back soreness, hip pain and leg swelling. Ideal for side and back sleepers. Removable cover, making it easy to clean. Durable enough to keep its shape. | Its large size may take up space the your bed. May not be suitable for those who prefer firmer pillows. The velvet cover may not be very breathable. |
Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow
- Our new U-Shape Pillow now comes with a cozy jersey cover that is soft and breathable helping disperse heat. Very comfortable to help you sleep through the night.
- Our U shaped body pillow helps support your back, hips, knees, neck, and head to help ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, gastric reflux, and more.
- This maternity pillow measures 53" inches long, 31" inches wide, and 7" inches high, making this the ideal contoured support pillow for your back, belly, legs, and neck... all in one!
A must-have for pregnant women experiencing hip pain, Pharmedoc Pregnancy Pillow is a full-body pillow designed to provide comfort and support during pregnancy. It is versatile and suitable for anyone who is recovering from surgery or tired of having to use a separate pillow to support their head, neck, legs, and back. The pillow is backed by the PharMeDoc warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee promise. If customers are not happy with the product, they can contact the manufacturer to make it right.
Specifications:
- Brand: Pharmedoc
- Special Feature: Removable jersey cover and full body support.
- Color: Solid Gray
- Size: 53”L x 31”W x 7”H
- Material: Polyester
| What We Like: | What We Don’t Like: |
Has a soft and breathable jersey cover. Unique U-shaped design to support aches and pains. Ideal size to contour and support the back, belly, legs and neck all in one. Eases discomfort associated with pregnancy, sciatica, fibromyalgia, gastric reflux and more. Backed by PharMeDoc warranty. | Relatively heavy, weighing 6.62 pounds. Its large size may take up space on the bed. May not be suitable for shorter individuals. |
What to Look for in a Pregnancy Pillow for Hip Pain
When looking for the best pregnancy pillow for hip pain, there are a few key features to consider. Here are some factors to keep in mind when choosing the right pillow:
1. Shape and Design
Pregnancy pillows come in a variety of shapes and designs, each offering different levels of support and comfort. Some of the most common shapes include:
- U-shaped pillows: These pillows wrap around the body, providing support for the head, neck, back and hips.
- C-shaped pillows: These pillows are similar to U-shaped pillows, but they are smaller and offer support for the head, neck and hips.
- Wedge pillows: These pillows are smaller and designed to be placed under the belly or between the knees to relieve hip pain.
2. Material and Filling
The material and filling of a pregnancy pillow can also impact its comfort and support. Some common filling materials include:
- Memory foam: This material conforms to the body and provides excellent support.
- Polyester fiberfill: This material is soft and lightweight, but may not offer as much support as memory foam.
- Microbeads: These small beads conform to the body and provide support, but may be noisy when moved.
3. Size and Weight
Consider the size of your bed and your own body size when choosing a pillow. A larger pillow may provide more support, but may be more difficult to maneuver.
4. Washability
Pregnancy pillows can get dirty quickly, so it’s important to choose a pillow that is easy to clean. Look for pillows with removable, washable covers to make cleaning a breeze.
Alternative Management Techniques for Hip Pain
In addition to using a pregnancy pillow, other ways to manage hip pain during pregnancy include:
- Exercise: Gentle exercise such as walking or swimming can help to strengthen the muscles in the hips and reduce pain.
- Heat therapy: Applying heat to the affected area can help to relax the muscles and reduce pain.
- Massage: Massaging the hips and lower back can help to alleviate tension and reduce pain.
- Chiropractic care: Seeing a chiropractor can help to realign the spine and pelvis, reducing pressure on the hips and alleviating pain.
Conclusion: Pregnancy Pillows for Hip Pain
Hip pain may be a reality during pregnancy, especially as the delivery date draws closer. In order to alleviate the pain, it’s important to find a soft, yet supportive pillow that helps you sleep in a comfortable manner. While there are various options available, there’s more to a good pillow than just size. Take the time to consider your needs so you can find a high contender that is not only effective, but that can offer you a luxury feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a U-shaped pregnancy pillow provide support for hip pain during pregnancy?
A U-shaped pregnancy pillow provides support for hip pain during pregnancy by cradling the entire body. The pillow wraps around the body, providing support for the hips, back, and neck. This helps to reduce pressure on the hips and provides a comfortable sleeping position for pregnant women.
What stage of pregnancy should I start using a pregnancy pillow?
Each woman experiences different pregnancy symptoms and at different times. Therefore, there is no specific time when the use of a pregnancy pillow is recommended. While it may depend on your personal levels of comfort, most people tend to pick one up during their second trimester when their belly starts to pop, carrying more weight behind it.
What are the benefits of a full-body pregnancy pillow for those suffering from hip and back pain?
A full-body pregnancy pillow provides support for the entire body, including the hips and back. This helps to reduce pressure on these areas and provides a comfortable sleeping position for pregnant women. In addition, a full-body pregnancy pillow can also be used after pregnancy to provide support while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding.
How do I properly use a pregnancy pillow to relieve hip pain?
To properly use a pregnancy pillow to relieve hip pain, place the pillow between your knees while sleeping on your side. This helps to align your hips and reduce pressure on the hips. You can also place the pillow under your belly for additional support.
What are the benefits of using a pregnancy pillow for hip support compared to regular pillows?
Using a pregnancy pillow for hip support provides several benefits compared to regular pillows. Pregnancy pillows are designed to provide customized support to the hips, lower back and neck, cradling the entire body and reducing pressure on the hips. Regular pillows do not provide the same level of support and can actually exacerbate hip pain. Additionally, pregnancy pillows are designed to be used in a variety of positions, allowing for customized support throughout the night.
Disclaimer: Last update on 2024-05-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.
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