Becoming pregnant is an exciting and challenging time for many women and one of the larger challenges being around getting a good night's sleep. You see, as the body changes and the baby grows, sleep can become increasingly difficult with one of the most important factors that can affect the quality of sleep during pregnancy is the type of mattress you use.
There’s research to back up that pregnant women who sleep on an uncomfortable mattress are more likely to experience ailments such as back pain, muscle aches, and poorer quality of sleep. Further to this , a mattress that is too firm or too soft can also increase the risk of developing pressure points and discomfort.
In the below, we will explore the different types of mattresses that are suitable for pregnant women and provide helpful tips on how to choose the best mattress for your pregnancy needs.
Best Mattress Types For Pregnant People
There are several types of mattresses to choose from, including pocket spring, memory foam, latex, hybrid, and wool mattresses. Each type of mattress has its own unique features and benefits, making it important to choose one that meets your specific needs.
Pocket spring mattresses are one of the most popular types of mattresses, providing a traditional and body contoured feel found within the support layer at the base of the mattress. Memory foam comfort layers, on the other hand, provide excellent pressure relief and a sinking feeling on the body, making them ideal for pregnant women who need extra comfort and cocooning while they sleep.
Latex mattresses are another choice for pregnant women due to their natural and hypoallergenic properties and better-than-memory-foam temperature regulation, an important consideration given how most pregnant women will complain of getting too hot while they sleep. Hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds, providing the support of a pocket spring mattress with the pressure relief of memory foam or latex. Finally there is wool, a breathable comfort layer that does not get enough credit for its all-season cooling effect and ultra soft comfort. Definitely one to consider.
It’s important to note that we’ve got a combination of both support layers and comfort layers above. This means you can have a mattress that is both pocket spring and latex for example.
Best Mattress Firmness During Pregnancy
Another important factor during pregnancy is around the firmness of a mattress and the considerations necessary. While it may be tempting to choose a soft mattress, it's important to choose one that provides adequate support for the body which will naturally be gaining weight in different areas to traditional which all require good support to be comfortable.
Research has shown fairly consistently that a medium-firm mattress is the best option for pregnant women as it provides the right balance of comfort and support. A mattress that is too firm can increase the risk of developing pressure points discomfort while a mattress that is too soft can cause the body to sink in, leading to poor alignment and potential back pain which can make an already uncomfortable ordeal even moreso.
Support and Pressure Relief
Both support and pressure relief are important factors that come up at the top of the concerns list when choosing a mattress for pregnancy. A bed which provides good support can help reduce the risk of developing back pain along with muscle aches while a mattress that offers pressure relief can also help prevent the development of pressure points and discomfort.
More about those comfort layers we talked about before and Memory foam and latex mattresses are known for their excellent pressure relief properties, as they contour to the body and provide a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface in that top layer. Pocket springs and hybrid mattresses are also suitable options in the support layer, providing good support and contouring.
Temperature Regulation
Temperature regulation is another important factor to consider when choosing a mattress for pregnancy but your mileage may vary when it comes to how important this factor is. As the body changes during pregnancy, many women experience hot flashes and night sweats, making it important to choose a mattress that regulates temperature effectively, however, if this is a factor then the memory foam option discussed above should be dropped in favour of latex and gel foam mattresses as you get many of the same benefits but without the negatives around heat retention which tends to make them less suitable for women who tend to sleep hot. For the list below we are going to exclude memory foam with a focus on more breathable options.
