Highest Rated Mattresses for Pregnant Women Ratings for 2023

Sex

It’s always important to consider how a mattress performs in terms of sex if you’re sexually active. Of course, this really comes down to personal preference, but a lot of couples tend to appreciate the bounce that mattresses including springs can provide. This means both innerspring and hybrid beds. Memory foam can be a great option for motion isolation (meaning you’re less likely to wake your partner during the night), but this also means they have hardly any bounce, which can be less preferable for those who are having sex.

Pressure Relief

Those looking for enhanced pressure relief often find it in a deep-hugging mattress, but this may not be ideal for pregnant people. Even if you commit to one sleeping position, you are likely to get up to use the bathroom, and pulling yourself out of a deeper hug each time could be difficult. We recommend a bed that gives you enough pressure relief but still keeps you comfortably lifted.

Learn More: Best Mattresses for Pressure Relief

Edge Support

Sturdy edges can increase the overall usable surface area of your bed, which is ideal if you like to spread out without sacrificing support. This is also important for new parents that intend to share their bed with their new baby and need a bit of extra room.

Budget

There are many costs incurred during pregnancy and having a baby. While a mattress purchase is an important investment, it’s not necessary to break your budget to support your pregnancy. There are tons of affordable beds available, especially online or with financing, that can help curb costs.

What Causes Sleep Problems During Pregnancy?

Research shows that getting enough sleep is vital for a healthy pregnancy. Without it, there is a higher risk for certain complications³ like preeclampsia or high blood pressure. Unfortunately, it can also be difficult to get enough sleep during pregnancy for many people. This can be caused by a variety of factors⁴, including the increased nausea, heartburn, nocturia (the need to urinate at night), and back pain that accompanies most pregnancies.

Even your hormones are working against sleep during pregnancy. Progesterone increases during this time, which can promote sleepiness during the day and a desire to go to bed early, but it can also fragment sleep through the night. Later on in pregnancy when oxytocin increases, this also tends to increase restlessness at night⁴.

Not to mention, by the second or third trimester, as your body changes and your belly grows, it can be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Weight gain as well as increased estrogen can also cause swelling of the nasal tissue, increasing the likelihood of snoring and obstructive sleep apnea.

All of these factors make for a difficult time sleeping for many pregnant people, so finding a mattress that can help in any way is key.

How Can A Mattress Help During Pregnancy?

• Better support – The body undergoes many changes during pregnancy. As your midsection expands, a lot of pressure is placed on your hips and lower back as your spine tries to maintain a neutral alignment. A supportive mattress could help alleviate any back pain you might experience.
• Pressure relief – Side sleepers typically experience excess pressure in the shoulders and hips, but pregnant people may also feel pressure in their bellies. A comfy mattress can minimize pressure in these areas.
• Better cooling – Many mattresses on the market come with impressive cooling features, which can be an added bonus during pregnancy when you feel warm.

Learn more: Sleeping for Two: Complete Guide to Sleeping While Pregnant

What is the Best Sleeping Position During Pregnancy?

Back Sleeping

Experts say that sleeping on your back should be fine during the first trimester when your belly hasn’t yet started growing1. That said, during the second and particularly third trimesters of pregnancy, back sleeping should be avoided because it can put pressure⁵ on important blood vessels, as well as on the back and intestines as the uterus increases in size. Back sleeping during late pregnancy has also been shown to increase the likelihood of snoring, hemorrhoids⁶, backaches, stillbirth⁷, and drops in blood pressure.

To recap: If you love sleeping on your back, it’s fine during your first trimester but avoid it later on in pregnancy.

Side Sleeping

Health experts advise that the best sleeping position during pregnancy is on your left side⁶. Sleeping on your left side can improve circulation, getting more blood and nutrients to both you and your baby. They add that this can help prevent swelling, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids.

Combination Sleeping

Combination sleeping means moving between two or more positions through the night. This is common during pregnancy – after all, it can be hard to find a position that feels comfortable.

It is safe to switch between back, stomach, and side sleeping during the first trimester. However, back sleeping becomes less safe later in pregnancy, and stomach sleeping tends to become less comfortable.

Stomach Sleeping

According to health experts, it is safe to sleep on your stomach throughout your pregnancy⁵. However, it may not be the most comfortable position. In fact, one of the earliest signs of pregnancy for many people is sore breasts⁸. This will likely make sleeping on your stomach uncomfortable early on.

As pregnancy progresses and your belly gets larger, this will likely also make stomach sleeping uncomfortable. If you love stomach sleeping, though, you might try it with a pregnancy pillow that will contour your belly in this position.

Tips for Better Sleeping During Pregnancy

According to the American Pregnancy Association, there are specific tips you can utilize to help you sleep better6.

• Bend your knees and keep a pillow between your legs – This posture can help minimize pressure on your back.
• Place a pillow underneath your stomach – Placing a pillow under the stomach could further alleviate back pain.
• Raise your torso – This would apply to pregnant people who experience heartburn to help keep stomach acid down. You can do this by either using a pillow to prop you up or an adjustable base. Additionally, if you experience shortness of breath, keeping your torso raised could help you breathe easier1.
• Practice good sleep hygiene – Good sleep hygiene refers to habits designed to optimize your sleep, which can be great for anyone, including pregnant people. Some examples include keeping a regular sleep schedule, sleeping in a cool, dark, and noise-free bedroom, and having a relaxing nightly routine before bed to help relieve stress.
• Speak with your doctor – You will likely see your doctor periodically throughout your pregnancy, so if you are still experiencing significant sleep struggles, we recommend bringing it up with your doctor, who can help come up with safe and effective solutions.