Relvay makes a pregnancy pillow. We also tell you below when you should not buy one.
The short answer
Add a wedge if your body pillow covers most spots well and only one gap is left. Replace the setup if two or more spots are missing, or the body pillow itself is the problem: bed space, turning or constant rebuilding. Check both products' instructions before combining them.
- One gap: a small wedge is usually enough.
- Two or more gaps: compare a full replacement.
- Never: stack pieces at random to make it work.
Which spots is your body pillow covering now?
Start with what already works. A side-sleeping setup in pregnancy usually needs support in three places: under the bump, behind the lower back and between the knees. Score each one tonight.
- Lie down with your body pillow exactly as you use it.
- Under the bump: does it feel lifted, or does it hang and pull?
- Behind the back: is there something to lean into, or a gap you slide into?
- Between the knees: is your top knee level with your hip?
- Turn over once. What moves, and what do you have to fix afterwards?
Sunday, 10:15 p.m.
I was 27 weeks, and I loved my long body pillow. It held my knees perfectly. But my bump just hung off the front of it, and by morning my lower back felt like it had been holding a grocery bag all night.
I nearly ordered a whole new U pillow. Then I realized the knees were fine. Only the bump was the problem.
"Yeah I had to layer like three more pillows on top of the pregnancy pillow just to get comfortable"YouTube comment
"the smaller side pillow it's way too fluffy and gives you no support under your belly"Amazon review of another brand's pregnancy pillow
Add a belly wedge or replace the setup: how do the options compare?
Compare what you keep, what you add, and what each option costs you every night in extra moves and bed space.
| Keep body pillow, add a regular pillow | Keep body pillow, add a belly wedge | Replace with a U or C pillow | Replace with two wedges joined by a strap | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixes | One gap, loosely | The bump gap | Most gaps in one piece | Bump and back |
| Keeps what works | Yes | Yes | No, all new | Knees on a regular pillow |
| Pieces on the bed | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 set, plus a knee pillow |
| Extra moves when you turn | Move the loose pillow | Move the wedge | Climb over or flip it | Set stays joined |
| Bed space | Same as now | Same plus a little | Much of a queen half | About torso width |
| Cost | None | Lowest purchase | Highest | In between |
The cheapest option is the one that fixes your gap without making every turn more work. A free regular pillow is the first thing to try.
What is good and bad about adding a belly wedge?
Adding a wedge is good when the gap is one spot and the wedge stays where you put it. It is bad when the two pieces fight each other or the wedge needs re-placing after every turn.
- Good: you keep the body pillow you like and spend less.
- Good: a wedge is small and easy to store.
- Check height: the wedge should lift the bump, not push it up higher than your body pillow line.
- Check fabric: two slippery covers can slide apart. Jersey and textured covers grip better than very smooth ones.
- Check firmness: some wedges are firm foam, such as Boppy's jersey wedge, while others are soft fibre. Firm and soft side by side can feel uneven.
- Check both labels: each piece may wash differently. Boppy lists its wedge core as spot clean only.
- Bad: it is one more loose piece. If you already rebuild your setup at night, a second loose piece can make that worse.
Place the wedge beside the body pillow, under the bump. Do not stack it on top of the body pillow or wedge it into places the maker's guide does not show.
What is good and bad about replacing the whole setup?
Replacing is good when your body pillow is the problem, not just a gap beside it. It is bad when it throws away a part that already works.
- Replace if the body pillow takes too much of the bed, or turning over means climbing over it.
- Replace if two of the three spots are missing, so a single wedge would not be enough.
- Replace if it has gone flat or lumpy, so it no longer does even its one job.
- Keep it if it holds your knees well. You can still use it between your knees with a new bump and back setup, or keep a regular pillow there.
For a full side-by-side of wedges and body pillows as types, see pregnancy wedge vs. body pillow.
Which one do you need?
Count your gaps from the audit, then count the extra moves you are willing to make each night.
One gap, few movesTry a regular pillow there first. If it slides away, a small belly wedge is a reasonable next step.
One gap, many movesA loose wedge may add to the rebuilding. Look at a set where the pieces are joined.
Two or more gapsCompare a full replacement. Several add-ons rarely stay together.
Pain that does not ease, or gets worse, is worth raising with your midwife or doctor. Pillows change comfort, not the cause.
Molly tried a folded regular pillow under her bump for three nights. It helped, but it slid away every time she turned. She kept her body pillow for her knees and moved to two small wedges joined by a strap for her bump and back. The first morning she noticed she had not rebuilt anything in the night, and nothing was on the floor.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a belly wedge with a body pillow?
Many people do, placing the wedge under the bump beside the body pillow. Check both products' instructions first, and do not stack the wedge on top of the body pillow.
Is a wedge pillow enough on its own in pregnancy?
A single wedge supports one spot, usually the bump or the back. If you need support in two places, you need two pieces or a set that covers both.
Should I buy a U pillow instead of adding a wedge?
Only if two or more spots are missing or your current pillow is the problem. A U pillow covers most spots but takes much of a queen bed half and can be hard to turn in.
Why does my belly wedge keep sliding off?
Smooth covers slide against each other, and a wedge is light. Try a textured case, set it snug against the mattress, or consider a set where the pieces are joined.
Can I put a belly wedge on top of my body pillow?
We would not. Stacking changes the height and makes both pieces less stable. Use positions the makers' guides show, beside rather than on top.
If you decide to replace the setup
Relvay does not sell a single belly wedge, so we cannot be your add-on. What we make is the replace-it option from the matrix: the 3-Piece, two small wedges for bump and back joined by a strap, used with a regular pillow or your old body pillow between your knees.
Two wedges for bump and back, joined by a flat strap, about as wide as your torso. Keep a regular pillow between your knees. $79.99, 90-day returns.
Molly's story is a composite based on real reviews and public posts from pregnant side sleepers. Names and details are changed.
