Can a Pregnancy Pillow Help With Heartburn and Acid Reflux?
When I was pregnant, one of the most frustrating symptoms I dealt with was heartburn and acid reflux at night. I would lie down, and within minutes, that burning sensation would creep up my chest and throat. I tried different remedies, but what really surprised me was how much a pregnancy pillow helped.
In this guide, I’ll explain how pregnancy pillows can reduce heartburn and acid reflux, the best pillow positions for relief, and which pillows work best.
Table of Contents
Why Heartburn and Acid Reflux Are Worse at Night During Pregnancy
As your baby grows, your uterus pushes on your stomach, and hormones relax the valve between your esophagus and stomach. This makes it easier for stomach acid to travel upward, especially when you’re lying down.
I didn’t realize how much gravity plays a role, but the flatter you are, the worse heartburn can get. That’s why proper positioning at night is so important.
How a Pregnancy Pillow Can Help
A pregnancy pillow can help with heartburn and acid reflux by:
- Elevating your upper body slightly so stomach acid doesn’t flow upward.
- Keeping you in a comfortable side-sleeping position (left side is best for digestion).
- Supporting your bump and hips so you can stay in position all night.
➡️ My favorite for elevation: Hiccapop Pregnancy Wedge Pillow on Amazon. It’s small, affordable, and perfect for propping up your torso.
Best Pregnancy Pillow Positions for Heartburn Relief
1. Elevate Your Upper Body
Place the pregnancy pillow behind your back or under your upper body so you’re slightly reclined. This angle helps keep stomach acid where it belongs.
➡️ I love the PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow because you can tuck one side behind your back for elevation.
2. Sleep on Your Left Side
Left-side sleeping improves digestion and prevents acid from rising. A full-body pillow can help you stay in this position without rolling onto your back.
➡️ The QUEEN ROSE U-Shaped Pillow is perfect for side sleepers who toss and turn.
3. Use a Wedge Under Your Bump
If you don’t want a full-body pillow, a small wedge can lift your belly slightly and reduce pressure on your stomach.
➡️ Check the Hiccapop Wedge on Amazon here – it’s versatile and easy to move around.
Extra Tips for Managing Heartburn at Night
- Avoid eating large meals right before bed.
- Prop your pillow up higher if you still feel burning.
- Choose breathable pillow covers so you stay cool (heat can make reflux worse).
- Keep a glass of water nearby, but sip slowly if needed.
➡️ A cooling bamboo pillowcase on Amazon can help you stay comfortable.
My Final Thoughts
A pregnancy pillow can definitely help with heartburn and acid reflux because it keeps you in the right position and prevents stomach acid from moving upward.
Personally, I loved the Hiccapop Wedge Pillow in my second trimester and the PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pillow when my belly was bigger. Both helped me sleep through the night without that burning discomfort.
➡️ Click here to shop my favorite pregnancy pillows for heartburn relief on Amazon
Trust me, once you find the right pillow setup, you’ll notice a huge difference in how you feel at night.
When I first started experiencing heartburn at night, I didn’t realize how much my sleeping position was making it worse. I used to lie flat on my back, and that almost guaranteed I’d wake up with that uncomfortable burning sensation.
Once I began using a pregnancy pillow to elevate my upper body, I noticed an immediate difference. Even a slight incline of just a few inches helped reduce the acid from rising up my esophagus.
I also learned that sleeping on my left side was a game-changer. This position keeps your stomach below your esophagus, which naturally reduces acid reflux. The right pregnancy pillow helped me stay in this position all night without rolling over.
If you’re using a U-shaped pillow, try tucking one side behind your back to keep you elevated and stable. I used to slide down when I was propped up with regular pillows, but the U-shaped pillow stayed in place all night.
The wedge pillow is another great option because it’s so versatile. I used mine under my bump when lying on my side and behind my back when I wanted a bit of elevation. It’s compact and easy to reposition if you toss and turn a lot.
I also discovered that you can stack the wedge with other pillows to increase the incline. This was especially helpful in my third trimester when my heartburn was at its worst and I needed extra lift to stay comfortable.
Another tip is to elevate your entire upper body rather than just your head. If only your head is raised, your stomach can still put pressure upward, making the heartburn worse. Pregnancy pillows make it easy to support your shoulders and upper torso too.
I found that adding a small pillow or cushion under my knees also helped. It kept my hips aligned and made the inclined position feel more natural, so I could actually relax instead of fighting the angle.
If you’re someone who overheats at night, choose a pillow with a breathable cotton or bamboo cover. When I was hot and sweaty, my heartburn felt even worse. Cooling fabrics made a big difference in how well I slept.
One mistake I made at first was trying to use just one regular pillow for elevation. It would flatten out or shift during the night, and I’d end up flat on my back again. Pregnancy pillows are much more stable and designed to stay put.
I also started using my pregnancy pillow during the day when I was sitting on the couch. Propping myself up with it after dinner gave me a head start in reducing heartburn before bedtime.
Finally, be patient and experiment with different positions. What worked for me in my second trimester wasn’t the same in the third. Sometimes I needed to switch between the wedge and U-shaped pillow depending on how bad my reflux was that night.