The Definitive Guide to Finding the Best Mattress for Pregnancy

09/12/2024

Ben Trapskin

I have carefully studied and evaluated many mattresses, sheets, pillows, duvet inserts, comforters, sleep gadgets, and adjustable beds for over a deca... Full Bio

Best Mattress for Pregnancy: Top 5 Picks for 2024

Finding the Right Mattress for Pregnancy

Best Mattress for Pregnancy:

Best Overall: Saatva Classic
Best for Pressure Relief: Nectar Mattress
Best Hybrid: Helix Midnight

Sleep is vital for everyone, but it becomes even more crucial during pregnancy. As your body works overtime to support both you and your baby, a good night’s sleep can significantly impact your health and well-being.

Pregnancy often brings several sleep-related challenges, from hormonal changes causing restlessness to physical discomfort like back pain and frequent trips to the bathroom. Hormones like progesterone and later oxytocin can make it even harder to get and stay asleep. Add in nausea, heartburn, and an expanding belly, and it’s easy to see why many pregnant individuals struggle with sleep.

A supportive, comfortable mattress can play a pivotal role in alleviating some of these issues. It can help to provide better spinal alignment, reduce pressure on sore spots, and offer effective temperature regulation. Dr. Raj Dasgupta highlights, “A good mattress should be supportive, durable, have motion isolation and effectively regulate temperature to keep [you] cool and comfortable at night.”

I’m Ben Trapskin, the creator of Yawnder. Driven by personal experience and a passion for quality sleep, I’ve tested many mattresses and gathered expert insights to help you find the Best Mattress for Pregnancy. Let’s explore how the right mattress can improve your sleep during this special time.

Quick look at Best Mattress for Pregnancy:

What to Look for in a Mattress for Pregnancy

Choosing the right mattress during pregnancy can make a world of difference in your sleep quality. Here are the key aspects to consider:

Spinal Alignment

Proper spinal alignment is crucial, especially during pregnancy. As your body changes, maintaining a neutral spine helps reduce back pain and discomfort. Look for a mattress that supports your spine’s natural curve, particularly if you’re a side sleeper, which is the recommended sleep position during pregnancy.

Tip: A medium to medium-firm mattress usually offers the best balance of support and comfort for spinal alignment.

Cooling Technology

Overheating can be a common issue during pregnancy, making cooling technology an essential feature in your mattress. Mattresses with cooling gels, breathable materials, or advanced airflow systems can help regulate your body temperature, ensuring you stay comfortable throughout the night.

Example: The Cocoon by Sealy Chill Mattress is noted for its excellent cooling features, making it a great choice for those struggling with night sweats.

Durability

Pregnancy often comes with weight gain, so a durable mattress that can support your changing body is essential. High-quality materials and robust construction ensure that your mattress will last through pregnancy and beyond.

Fact: Hybrid mattresses, like the Helix Midnight Luxe, combine the durability of innerspring coils with the comfort of memory foam, offering long-lasting support.

Support

Support is key to reducing pregnancy-related aches and pains. Look for mattresses with strong support layers, such as innerspring coils or high-density foams, to keep your body well-supported throughout the night.

Recommendation: The DreamCloud Premier is known for its firm support and excellent edge support, making it ideal for heavier individuals.

Comfort

Comfort is subjective, but during pregnancy, you might need extra cushioning for pressure points like hips and shoulders. Memory foam mattresses are great for contouring to your body and providing that extra comfort where you need it most.

Case Study: The Emma Original Mattress has been praised for its pressure-relieving qualities, especially by pregnant individuals dealing with hip pain.

Motion Isolation

If you share your bed, motion isolation becomes crucial. Good motion isolation means that movements on one side of the bed won’t disturb the other side, allowing both partners to sleep soundly.

Example: The Nectar Mattress excels in motion isolation, making it a top pick for couples.

Adjustability

Adjustable mattresses can be a lifesaver during pregnancy. They allow you to change the firmness level and even lift parts of the mattress to reduce issues like acid reflux and back pain.

Top Pick: The Saatva Solaire Mattress offers 50 firmness settings and can be paired with an adjustable base, making it highly customizable to your needs.

By focusing on these key factors, you can find a mattress that not only supports you during pregnancy but also provides long-term comfort and durability. Up next, we’ll dig into the top picks for the Best Mattress for Pregnancy.

Best Mattress for Pregnancy: Top Picks

Choosing the right mattress during pregnancy can be a game-changer for your sleep quality. Here are our top picks across various needs and preferences:

Best Overall: Saatva Classic

The Saatva Classic stands out as the best overall mattress for pregnancy. Its coil-on-coil construction provides a traditional innerspring feel with excellent support and durability. This mattress comes in multiple firmness options—Plush Soft, Luxury Firm, and Firm—so you can choose the one that best suits your comfort needs.

Saatva offers white glove delivery, which includes free setup and old mattress removal, making the transition smooth and hassle-free. Pregnant sleepers will appreciate its cooling features, including a breathable organic cotton cover and a Euro pillow top infused with cooling gel.

Key Features:

Coil-on-coil construction for robust support
Multiple firmness options
Free white glove delivery
Cooling technology

Best for Pressure Relief: Nectar Mattress

The Nectar Mattress excels in pressure relief, thanks to its gel memory foam construction. This mattress is designed to contour to your body, providing significant relief for pressure points like hips and shoulders, which can be particularly beneficial during pregnancy.

Best Hybrid: Helix Midnight

The Helix Midnight is the best hybrid mattress for pregnancy, combining the support of innerspring coils with the comfort of memory foam. It offers medium-firm support which is ideal for side and back sleepers.

This mattress also excels in motion isolation, ensuring that you and your partner can sleep undisturbed. The hybrid construction provides both durability and comfort, making it a long-lasting investment.

Key Features:

Hybrid construction for balanced support and comfort
Medium-firm support
Excellent motion isolation
100-night trial period

Best for Heavy People: DreamCloud Premier

For those who need extra support, the DreamCloud Premier is an excellent choice. This mattress offers firm support and exceptional edge support, which is crucial for heavier individuals. Its hybrid construction combines memory foam and innerspring coils, providing a supportive yet comfortable sleep surface.

The DreamCloud Premier also features cooling technology, helping to regulate your body temperature throughout the night.

Key Features:

Firm support and excellent edge support
Hybrid construction for durability and comfort
Cooling technology
Lifetime warranty

Best Value: Bear Original

The Bear Original offers excellent value without compromising on quality. This mattress features supportive foam that adapts to your body, providing both comfort and support. It’s also designed with cooling technology to help manage body heat, which can be a common issue during pregnancy.

Bear Original is one of the most affordable options on this list, making it a great choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

Key Features:

Affordable pricing
Supportive foam construction
Cooling technology
100-night trial period

These top picks cover a range of needs, from overall performance to specific features like pressure relief and support for heavier individuals. Up next, we’ll explore the different types of mattresses suitable for pregnancy.

Types of Mattresses Suitable for Pregnancy

When you’re pregnant, your body goes through many changes, and your mattress needs to adapt to support these changes. Here are the main types of mattresses that can meet your needs:

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are known for their deep sinkage and body contouring. This type of mattress can be a lifesaver for pregnant women dealing with pressure points.

Pressure Relief: Memory foam excels at relieving pressure around your hips, shoulders, and lower back, which is crucial as your body changes.
Motion Isolation: If you share your bed, memory foam’s excellent motion isolation means your partner’s movements won’t wake you up.
Heat Retention: Some memory foam mattresses can retain heat, but many modern options come with cooling gels or breathable covers to combat this issue. For example, the DFI Beds Cool Cell Memory Foam channels warmth out to eliminate overheating.

Hybrid

Hybrid mattresses combine the best features of innerspring and foam mattresses. They typically include steel coils for support and foam layers for comfort.

Support and Comfort: The combination of coils and foam provides a balanced mix of support and cushioning.
Cooling: Hybrids are generally more breathable than all-foam mattresses, helping you stay cool during hot flashes.
Durability: These mattresses can accommodate weight gain during pregnancy without losing their shape. The Helix Midnight is a great example, offering medium-firm support and excellent motion isolation.

Innerspring

Innerspring mattresses are the traditional type with a core of steel coils. They offer firm, bouncy support.

Firm Support: Ideal for those struggling with lower back pain. However, they may not offer enough pressure relief for side sleepers.
Breathability: These mattresses are highly breathable, making them a good option if you’re overheating.
Edge Support: They often have strong edge support, which is helpful as you get in and out of bed frequently. The Saatva Classic is a standout innerspring mattress with multiple firmness options and excellent edge support.

Adjustable Airbeds

Adjustable airbeds, like the Sleep Number beds, allow you to customize the firmness of your mattress.

Adjustability: You can change the firmness to suit your needs as your body changes throughout pregnancy.
Customization: Some models offer dual settings, so you and your partner can each have your preferred firmness level.
Support: These beds provide good support and can be paired with adjustable bases to help with pain and discomfort.

Choosing the right type of mattress can make a significant difference in your comfort and sleep quality during pregnancy. Next, we’ll dig into the specific benefits of memory foam mattresses for pregnancy.

Benefits of Memory Foam Mattresses for Pregnancy

Memory foam mattresses are often recommended for pregnant women due to their unique properties that cater to the changing needs of the body. Here are the key benefits:

Equal Weight Distribution

Memory foam is known for its ability to evenly distribute body weight. This is particularly important during pregnancy when weight distribution changes and can cause discomfort. The foam reacts to pressure and heat, molding to your body shape and providing custom support. This ensures that your growing belly and other pressure points are well-supported, reducing the risk of aches and pains.

Pressure Relief

One of the standout features of memory foam is its ability to relieve pressure. As your body changes, you may experience discomfort in areas like your hips, shoulders, and lower back. Memory foam provides deep contouring, which helps to alleviate pressure from these sensitive areas. This can be especially beneficial for side sleepers, a common sleeping position during pregnancy.

“The Emma Original has made a big difference to how long I can sleep on my side without waking in discomfort,” shares a Sleep Editor who found relief from pregnancy hip pain with a memory foam mattress.

Motion Isolation

Pregnancy often comes with restless nights, frequent trips to the bathroom, and difficulty finding a comfortable position. Memory foam excels at isolating motion, meaning your movements are less likely to disturb your partner. This can be a lifesaver for couples, ensuring both get a better night’s sleep.

“Memory foam mattresses mean you and your partner are less likely to disturb one another when moving or tossing and turning during the night,” notes Dr. Raj Dasgupta.

Potential Heat Retention Issues

While memory foam mattresses offer many benefits, they can sometimes retain heat, which might be uncomfortable for those who sleep hot. However, many modern memory foam mattresses come with cooling technologies to combat this issue. For instance, the DFI Beds Cool Cell Memory Foam channels warmth out to eliminate overheating, making it a great option if you’re concerned about heat retention.

“With memory foam beds, some users can experience issues with breathability, finding that the material retains and reflects too much heat. However, the DFI Beds memory foam mattress is made with cool cell memory foam which channels additional warmth out and eliminates issues of overheating.”

Summary

Memory foam mattresses offer numerous benefits for pregnant women, including equal weight distribution, excellent pressure relief, and superior motion isolation. While potential heat retention can be a drawback, modern cooling technologies have made significant improvements in this area.

Benefits of Hybrid Mattresses for Pregnancy

Hybrid mattresses are a popular choice for pregnant women because they combine the best features of different mattress types. Here are the key benefits:

Support System

Hybrid mattresses use a combination of steel coils and foam layers to provide balanced support. The coils offer a sturdy base, which is essential for maintaining proper spinal alignment and preventing sagging. This is particularly important during pregnancy when your body needs extra support to accommodate the growing belly and changing weight distribution.

“Hybrid mattresses combine the support of innerspring and the comfort of foam, making them ideal for pregnant women who need both,” says mattress expert Stuart.

Pressure Relief

The foam layers in hybrid mattresses, often made of memory foam or latex, provide excellent pressure relief. These layers contour to your body, alleviating pressure points around your hips, shoulders, and lower back. This can be especially beneficial for side sleepers, a common sleeping position during pregnancy.

“The foam’s contouring ability provides targeted comfort to hips and shoulders, areas under stress in the fetal position,” notes a comprehensive mattress buying guide.

Spinal Alignment

Maintaining proper spinal alignment is crucial during pregnancy to avoid back pain and other discomforts. The combination of coils and foam in hybrid mattresses offers a balanced feel that supports your spine while also providing enough give to keep you comfortable.

“The firm support of an innerspring mattress aligns the spine, preventing back pain for those sleeping on their back,” highlights a review on the benefits of hybrid mattresses.

Cooling Features

Many hybrid mattresses come with advanced cooling technologies, such as gel-infused foam or breathable covers. These features help regulate your body temperature, preventing overheating, which is a common issue during pregnancy.

“The cooling was immediately noticeable as I laid down on the bed,” says Stuart. “This effect is due to the mix of cooling fabrics in the mattress’s cover, as well as the copper-infused memory foam in its comfort layers.”

Summary

Hybrid mattresses offer a perfect blend of support, pressure relief, spinal alignment, and cooling features, making them an excellent choice for pregnant women. Whether you’re dealing with back pain, overheating, or need extra support, a hybrid mattress can help you get a better night’s sleep during pregnancy.

Next, we’ll provide some tips for sleeping better while pregnant, including the best sleep positions and how to use pillows for extra comfort.

Tips for Sleeping Better While Pregnant

Sleeping well during pregnancy can be challenging. Here are some tips to help you get better rest:

Side Sleeping

Sleeping on your left side is highly recommended during pregnancy. This position improves blood flow to your heart, kidneys, and uterus, ensuring your baby gets enough nutrients and oxygen.

“Health experts advise that the best sleeping position during pregnancy is on your left side,” says a review.

Use of Pillows

Pillows can be a game-changer for pregnant women. They provide the extra support you need to sleep comfortably:

Extra Pillows: Use them for support at night. Place one between your knees to keep your spine aligned and another under your belly for added comfort.
Pregnancy Pillows: These are specially designed to support your entire body. They can help reduce back and hip pain, making it easier to sleep through the night.

“Placing a pillow under your stomach could further alleviate back pain,” suggests Sarah Cromer, a seasoned mom.

Temperature Control

Pregnant women often feel warmer due to increased blood volume. Keeping cool at night can help you sleep better:

Cooling Mattress: A mattress with cooling technology can help regulate your body temperature.
Adjustable Base: An adjustable bed base can also help with temperature control by allowing you to incline your upper body, which can reduce heartburn and improve airflow.

“Being able to incline has been critical to helping my reflux and heartburn,” says Sarah Cromer.

Avoiding Back Sleeping

While it’s okay to sleep on your back during the first trimester, it’s best to avoid this position later in pregnancy. Sleeping on your back can cause the weight of your uterus to compress major blood vessels, reducing circulation.

“Avoid back sleeping later on in pregnancy,” advises Bridget Chapman, a Certified Sleep Science Coach.

Summary

By adopting these tips, you can improve your sleep quality during pregnancy. Whether it’s using extra pillows, adjusting your sleep position, or controlling your room temperature, these small changes can make a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Mattress for Pregnancy

What type of mattress is best during pregnancy?

Medium to medium-firm mattresses are generally the best choice for pregnancy. They offer a balance between support and comfort, which is crucial for spinal alignment and cushioning pressure points.

“Doctors urge pregnant people to start sleeping on their sides once they reach the second trimester, and firm mattresses typically don’t provide the amount of pressure relief side sleepers need,” according to Yawnder.

A hybrid mattress is often recommended because it combines the benefits of innerspring and memory foam. This type of mattress provides the necessary support while also offering pressure relief.

“Hybrid mattresses work particularly well for pregnant individuals because they offer a great balance of comfort and support,” says Yawnder.

Is memory foam good for pregnancy?

Memory foam mattresses can be a good option for pregnant women, primarily due to their ability to provide equal weight distribution and pressure relief. They contour to the body, which helps in alleviating pressure points, particularly around the hips and shoulders.

“Memory foam offers plenty of pressure relief and body contouring,” according to Yawnder.

However, traditional memory foam can sometimes trap heat, making it uncomfortable for those who tend to sleep hot. If you prefer memory foam, look for one with cooling features like gel-infused foam or Tencel covers.

“Gel memory foam helps dissipate body heat, and Tencel covers feel cool-to-the-touch,” notes Yawnder.

Is a hard or soft mattress better for pregnancy?

The ideal mattress firmness during pregnancy depends on several factors, including your sleep position, body weight, and personal preferences. Generally, a mattress that falls in the medium to medium-firm range is recommended.

“Mattresses that are neither too hard nor too soft are appealing and beneficial to pregnant sleepers because they provide the best balance of substantial support and quality pressure relief,” according to Yawnder.

Side sleepers typically need a bit more cushioning to relieve pressure on the hips and shoulders, making a medium-firm mattress ideal. For those who prefer a firmer feel, consider using a mattress topper during pregnancy to add some softness without compromising support.

“The best mattresses toppers can make beds feel 1-2 points softer, and they offer some much-needed pressure relief,” suggests Yawnder.

In summary, the best mattress for pregnancy should provide a balance of support and comfort, cater to your sleep position, and adapt to your body’s changing needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right mattress during pregnancy is crucial for your overall health and well-being. A good mattress can provide the necessary support and comfort to help you get quality sleep, which is essential for both you and your baby.

Summary of Top Picks

Here’s a quick recap of our top picks for the Best Mattress for Pregnancy:

Best Overall: Saatva Classic – Offers a coil-on-coil construction and multiple firmness options. Ideal for hot sleepers and those suffering from back pain.
Best for Pressure Relief: Nectar Mattress – Features gel memory foam for excellent pressure relief and motion isolation. Perfect for side sleepers.
Best Hybrid: Helix Midnight – Combines memory foam and innerspring for balanced support and comfort. Great for combination sleepers.
Best for Heavy People: DreamCloud Premier – Provides firm support and excellent edge support. Suitable for back sleepers.
Best Value: Bear Original – An affordable option with cooling technology and supportive foam. Ideal for back and side sleepers.

Importance of Choosing the Right Mattress

Sleep is often elusive during pregnancy due to various physical and hormonal changes. A quality mattress can help alleviate some of these issues by providing proper spinal alignment, pressure relief, and temperature control. This can reduce the risk of complications like postpartum depression, preterm delivery, and gestational diabetes.

Yawnder’s Expertise

At Yawnder, we specialize in comprehensive mattress reviews and guides to help you make informed decisions. Our team uses cutting-edge tools and technology to evaluate mattresses for various performance categories like motion isolation, pressure relief, and temperature control. We also consider real-world feedback from verified mattress owners to fine-tune our ratings.

For more options, especially if you’re interested in eco-friendly choices, check out our Natural Mattresses.

Investing in the right mattress can make a significant difference in your sleep quality and overall health during pregnancy. Take your time to research and choose a mattress that meets your needs and preferences. Happy sleeping!