Relvay makes a pregnancy pillow. We also tell you below when you should not buy one.
The short answer
Do not remove an end stop until you know what it does on your model. On many adjustable pillows it holds the cover closed and keeps the filling packed. Move the hard part away from your skin first.
- Slide or turn it within the range the maker describes.
- Cover it with a soft pillowcase if it still touches you.
- Ask the maker before swapping, cutting or opening anything.
What does the end stop on a pregnancy pillow actually do?
It usually does one of three jobs: it closes the end of the cover, it sets how tightly the filling is packed, or it holds the end of the pillow in shape. Which job yours does depends on the model, so check the guide that came with it.
Closes the coverSome covers are longer than the inner pillow, and the extra fabric is gathered and held at each end.
Sets the firmnessOn some bead-filled pillows, sliding the stops inward packs the beads tighter and outward lets them loosen.
Holds the shapeWithout it, the filling can drift to one end and the part under your knees goes thin.
1:05 a.m.
I was 27 weeks. The pillow was great everywhere except one spot: the little silicone ring at the bottom end sat right against the inside of my ankle. Every time I shifted my legs, I felt it.
By the third night I was lying there scrolling, and someone had posted a tip: pull the rings off, use a fabric hair tie instead. I had my thumb under the ring before I stopped and wondered what, exactly, it had been holding.
"Help I can't sleep, tried all the tricks not working, I'm due December"YouTube comment on a pregnancy sleep video
The part that bugs you is often doing a job. Move it before you remove it.
Is the end stop the problem, or where it lands?
Most of the time it is where it lands. A stop sitting against your ankle or knee can usually be moved away from your skin without changing how the pillow works.
| What you feel | Likely cause | Try first |
|---|---|---|
| A hard point at your ankle or knee | The end of the pillow lines up with your leg | Shift the pillow up or down so the end sits past your foot |
| Pressure only when you turn | The stop flips toward you as the pillow rolls | Turn the gathered end so it faces away from you, toward the mattress edge |
| A ridge under the stop | Gathered fabric bunched at the end | Smooth the fabric and spread the gathers evenly |
| The pillow went thin or lumpy | The stop slipped and the filling moved | Reset the stops the way the maker's guide shows |
| Scratching from the stop itself | A rough edge or seam on the part | Slip a soft pillowcase over that end, then ask the maker |
If the problem is a seam or zipper rather than the end stop, our guide to seams and zippers on pregnancy pillows covers those spots.
Which adjustments are usually allowed?
Usually the ones the maker shows you: sliding the stop within its range, turning the end, smoothing the fabric, and covering it with something soft. Anything that replaces, cuts or opens a part is a question for the maker first.
- Find your guide. Look for a care label, a printed card, or a how-to page on the maker's site.
- Slide the stop a little at a time, if your guide says it slides. A couple of inches, then lie on it for a minute.
- Turn the gathered end outward so the hard part faces the edge of the bed, not your leg.
- Move the whole pillow so the end sits beyond your foot or above your knee, not right on a bone.
- Add a soft barrier. A spare pillowcase over that end often takes the edge off without changing anything inside.
If you own a bbhugme pillow, its stops are called Pebbles. Our bbhugme setup guide walks through the maker's own steps. Other pillows work differently, so do not copy those steps onto a different model.
Why not just swap it for a hair tie or cut it off?
Because a substitute may not grip the same way, and once the stop is gone the cover and filling are no longer held as the maker intended.
- Grip changes. A softer tie can slip overnight, so the firmness changes while you sleep.
- Filling can move. On bead or fiber pillows, a loose end lets the filling drift and the support under your bump or knees thins out.
- Small parts and beads. bbhugme's guide says not to unzip its inner pillow or remove the beads, and warns they can be a choking hazard for children. Opening the core of any pillow is a step to skip.
- Returns and help. A changed or cut part can make a return or replacement harder to ask for. Read the return terms before you change anything.
A quick hack fixes the spot that touches you. It can quietly undo the part that holds you.
Replacement parts: what should you ask the maker?
Ask whether they sell the exact part for your model, whether a softer version exists, and what to use in the meantime. Send a photo of the label and the part.
| Part | What it usually does | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Sliding ring or stopper | Holds the cover ends, sets firmness | Do you sell spares for my model? Is there a softer one? |
| Toggle or cord lock | Keeps a drawstring end closed | Can the cord be tucked inside? Is a replacement toggle available? |
| Clip or hook strip | Joins two pieces together | Where should it face when I sleep? Is a covered version available? |
| Outer cover | Holds and protects the inner pillow | Is a replacement cover sold, and does it fit my exact size? |
We looked for a listed replacement Pebble on bbhugme's how-to page and did not find one, so ask through their contact page rather than assuming.
When is the end stop a sign the pillow is wrong for you?
When the hard part keeps landing on you after every adjustment, it is the design that does not fit your body or the way you sleep, not your patience. That is a pillow question, not a hack question.
- I have moved and turned the end and still feel it every night.
- A pillowcase barrier slides off by morning.
- The stop has to sit right where my legs go for the pillow to stay firm.
- The maker has no softer part and no workaround.
Ainsley left the ring on. She turned the gathered end so it faced the edge of the bed, pulled the whole pillow down two inches so the end sat past her foot, and slid an old pillowcase over it. The next night she did not feel it once. She also emailed the maker with a photo, just to ask whether a softer stopper existed.
Ongoing pain in your hips, knees or ankles is worth raising with your midwife or doctor. This guide is about the pillow, not the pain.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the end caps off my pregnancy pillow?
Only if the maker's guide says they come off. On many adjustable pillows they hold the cover closed and keep the filling packed, so removing them changes how the pillow supports you.
Can I use a hair tie instead of the stopper on my pregnancy pillow?
We do not recommend it without asking the maker. A substitute may grip differently and slip overnight. Try moving or covering the original stop first.
Why does the end of my pregnancy pillow dig into my leg?
Usually because the end of the pillow lines up with your ankle or knee. Shift the pillow so the end sits past your foot, and turn the gathered end away from you.
Where can I get a replacement stopper?
Ask the maker or the seller you bought from. Send a photo of the label and the part so they can match your exact model.
If you would rather have nothing to cinch
If the end stops keep winning after every adjustment, a different design is one option. The Relvay 3-Piece is two small wedges joined by a flat strap, for bump and back, with no gathered ends to set. It does not go between your knees, so keep a regular pillow there, and if moving your current stop fixed the problem, you do not need it.
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.
Comparing pillows from scratch? Our pregnancy pillow buying checklist covers what to check before you order.
Ainsley's story is a composite based on real reviews and public posts from pregnant side sleepers. Names and details are changed.
