Our Recommendations for the Best Mattress for Pregnancy

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Pregnancy is both a special and challenging stage for women. Our bodies undergo demanding and drastic changes from nausea to noticeable adjustments on the hips.  This physical transformation is guaranteed to disrupt our sleep cycle. Many a night you will wake up feeling too hot or you have the urge to pee. You might also feel cramps on some parts of your body due to improper bed support. This is the reason why the best mattress for pregnancy is a must-have if you’re an expectant mom.

Being comfortable and getting enough slumber is important for you and your unborn child. Aside from aligning the spine, it’s also important for mothers to cushion their growing tummies.

So to help you enjoy your last quiet nights before all the crying and diaper changes, here’s our take on pregnancy and the right bed to use:

Pregnancy and sleeping

Enough rest is important for every pregnant woman. Since their bodies are working for two, it’s normal for expectant mothers to feel more tired. The changes on your hormones will make you feel sleepy all the time. Blame it on the extra progesterone and lowering blood sugar and blood pressure.

Usually, your energy will return after the first trimester. This is the point when your body has stabilized from the onset of child-bearing.

Studies found that the lack of sleep will impact the health of the unborn child. Lack of sleep can lead to preeclampsia where the blood pressure spikes even if the mother has no history of hypertension. This is one reason why many mothers do everything for comfort, including using an inflatable pregnancy mattress.

The surge of blood pressure can also lead to sleep apnea. What happens is that the amount of blood the heart pumps is reduced, thus the circulation on the fetus is also jeopardized. The worst thing that may happen is a sudden drop of oxygen that will stymie the development of the baby in the womb. Take note that blood flow and oxygen supply on the fetus is at its peak during sleep. If this is compromised, the unborn child won’t grow normally.

Basically, lack of sleep also limits the production of growth hormones. When this happens, the baby will be susceptible to developmental issues.

Aside from the child’s development, your sleeping habits will also affect the delivery of the baby.

There are a lot of reasons why pregnant women can’t catch enough winks. The following are just some of the potential culprits:

Reasons why pregnant women can’t sleep well

A lot of us thought that sleepless nights will start the moment our little one is born. But welcome to motherhood, where pregnancy is as difficult as getting up at night to feed a crying babe.

So far, here are the common issues pregnant women face which causes them to skip enough sleep:

The urge to pee

Since your kidney is working double-time to sustain the increased blood flow in your body, expect that you will pee more. Also, your bladder will be squeezed when your tummy grows bigger. This makes your bladder go full right away. There would be more bathroom trips in the middle of the night which translates to disrupted sleep. If your baby is active at night, peeing would be more frequent.

Backaches and leg cramps

It’s not easy to carry an extra weight of at least seven pounds at the last stage of pregnancy. It will cause back aches at night when you’re lying down. Also, the ligaments of your back become looser as you head to delivery. This means you’ll be prone to pain and injuries. Leg cramps will also take place due to this.

Stress

Stress and the uncertainty of pregnancy can keep soon-to-be moms awake. The anxiety you’ll feel about childbirth and the health of your unborn baby can keep you thinking.

Kicking baby

A kicking baby is a good sign but it will also keep you falling in and out of sleep. There’s nothing you can do at this point but to be patient and use the best mattress for pregnancy.

Heartburn and constipation

During pregnancy, food refluxing back to the esophagus is a common condition. The food stays longer on the stomach since digestion is slowed down. This will result in heartburn and constipation that will grow worse as the baby gets bigger inside the womb.

Snoring and shortness of breath

Women breathe deeper when they are pregnant. This makes them prone to snoring and shortness of breath. The enlarging fetus puts pressure on the diaphragm which makes it harder to breathe.

Uncomfortable bed

Expectant mothers are susceptible to pain when their beds aren’t good enough to support their bodies. Back pain would be more evident and it will make the movement more difficult. Once the second trimester sets in, the discomfort of your growing belly will be more unbearable. This is the reason why many mothers use inflatable pregnancy mattress beds.

What to look for a pregnancy mattress

When you’re pregnant, it’s best to get a mattress that’s made to support the extra growth of your body. Here are some of the considerations to keep in mind:

Dual firmness

Your preference on the firmness of your mattress will differ once you get heavily pregnant. And to make both you and your partner comfortable, it’s best to look for dual firmness. It’s basically a single mattress with a different feel on each side. If you like, you can consider getting airbeds where you can customize the firmness of the air chamber.

Thickness and support

A thicker and high-profile mattress is best for pregnant women but will still depend on individual preference. A higher mattress is better, especially if you’re heavily pregnant. It’s easier to sit on and get up from compared to thinner versions.

Conformity

Pregnant women need the most conformity that they can get. This is so the pressure points on the hips, back, and tummy area will be released. An inflatable pregnancy mattress may not provide this.

Temperature

There are mattresses that are typically hot to sleep at, say memory foams. However, it becomes more uncomfortable when a woman is pregnant. The increase in body temperature will require them to sleep on a cooler surface to prevent disrupting their sleep. A breathable mattress with cooling technology will be excellent.

Edge support

Every inch of the best mattress for pregnancy should provide support, especially for pregnant women. Expectant moms would spend time sitting on the edge of the bed. And if it’s not reinforced, it will sag quickly and provide little to no support.

Motion isolation and noise

An excellent motion isolation level is imperative so pregnant women can limit any sleep-disturbing movement. If your partner has a bad case of sleep movement, this is a must-have. Also, get a mattress that doesn’t squeak. As you progress in pregnancy, you’ll discover that even a little coil noise can steal your sleep.

Price

Your choice of mattress shouldn’t be as expensive as your hospital bills during delivery. As much as you want to get the comfiest option, make sure to compare prices first. Hybrid mattress range from $1,400 to $1,800 while airbeds can be very expensive for more than two grand. If you’re a bit cash-strapped, you can get a foam mattress for as low as $700.

White glove delivery

Bringing a mattress inside the house is almost impossible for a heavily pregnant woman. A bed-in-a-box mattress would be easier but it’s a different story for coiled beds. You can ask for white glove delivery when you purchase the mattress. The delivery guys will set up the mattress for you.

Best Pregnancy Mattress – Our Top Picks!

On its own, being pregnant is equally a rewarding and challenging experience. However, it becomes an entirely different concern when you add the sleepless nights that come with poor bed conditions.

Thankfully, there is something you can do about it. More than anything, you can make sure your mattress has all the bells and whistles to support your needs. To help you with that, here are five of the best pregnancy mattresses you can choose from:

Comparison Chart

41bFJMG8RKL
TUFT & NEEDLE – Original Queen Adaptive Foam Mattress, CertiPUR-US, 100-Night Trial
51s85etR8AL
Signature Sleep Contour Encased Mattress, Queen, White
51I2uO5lc1L. SL500
Sealy 10-Inch Hybrid Bed in a Box with CopperChill
51HSMOKzRqL. SL500
Casper Sleep Original Hybrid Mattress
31zYg1k5KYS. SL500
Leesa Legend 12″ Mattress & Foundation Bundle, Full Size Memory Foam Bed

Tuft & Needle Mattress

41bFJMG8RKL

Specs

  • Adaptive foam
  • Motion isolation
  • Medium height
  • Cooling gel and graphite infusion
  • CertiPUR-US, Greenguard, OeKo-Tex certifications

Pregnant women need a mattress that conforms and support but not too hot to sleep on. This is exactly what the Tuft & Needle mattress is about. First, it uses its unique adaptive foam that conforms to the body of the sleeper. It has localized bounce that isolates motion so your partner won’t disturb your sleep and vice versa.

This mattress is 10-inch thick which is good for pregnant women who prefer a medium height. It also has a cooling gel and graphite infusion to give you fresher sleep. This isn’t latex or memory foam in case you’re wondering. It’s the exclusive foam of Tuft & Needle that helps release pressure points in the body.

Upon receiving the mattress, allow the adaptive foam to stabilize for 72 hours. There could be a little smell but it would soon go away after a few days. There’s nothing to worry about since this is cleared by the CertiPUR-US, GREENGUARD, and OEKO-TEX.

As for the price, this is the best mattress for pregnancy. It’s not too expensive but not too cheap either. However, this doesn’t have a dual firmness. But so far, only a few people go wrong with medium firmness when they share the bed with someone else.

What could be done better:

This mattress is a bed-in-a-box, so you can’t use it straight away after unpacking. Although it doesn’t pose any danger, the chemical smell might be a little too strong to endure. Also, keep in mind that this mattress only has one level of firmness from top to bottom.

Signature Sleep Reversible Mattress

51s85etR8AL

Specs

  • Foam and coil combination
  • Edge support
  • Medium-firm
  • Comes with a knitted cover
  • Breathable

The Signature Sleep mattress is made with pregnant women in mind. It has 1.6-inch of high-density foam sandwiching the coils inside the bed. This gives a hugging feeling and an excellent edge support. Overall, it has 800 individually-encased coils for reduced noise and low possibility of critters harboring inside the bed.

Remember that this is an eight/ten-inch mattress. If you have a high bed frame, this would be a perfect catch. It’s a medium-firm mattress that’s not too soft and not too stiff. It’s not an inflatable pregnancy mattress either.

If you’re worried about the temperature, this mattress comes with a knitted cover. It’s breathable and comfy enough to aid your sleep. But if you’re not happy about it and you’re the hottest sleeper ever, you can get a bamboo-derived rayon cover to fix the issue.

What could be done better:

Although this is a coiled mattress, it still arrives in a bed-in-a-box setup. Just let the foam and coils stabilize then you’re good to go. If ever the mattress starts sagging after a few years, you can flip it for a fresh surface. Your baby might be attending school already but this mattress is still as comfy as ever.

What could be done better:

This mattress is a bed-in-a-box, so you can’t use it straight away after unpacking. Although it doesn’t pose any danger, the chemical smell might be a little too strong to endure. Also, keep in mind that this mattress only has one level of firmness from top to bottom.

Sealy Hybrid CopperChill Mattress

51I2uO5lc1L. SL500

Specs

  • Bed-in-a-box
  • Spring and foam combo
  • CopperChill technology
  • Coil edge
  • 10-year warranty

Lifting heavy stuff and engaging in physically demanding activities are not safe during pregnancy. So, how can you expect to put in a new mattress? Fortunately, the Sealy Hybrid is a bed-in-a-box you will only need to unpack and unroll—no additional hands required.

Another thing you’ll love about it is that it combines the best features of innerspring and foam mattresses. The coils ensure you get plenty of bounce and support. Combine that with the foam, and you are sure to experience the highest comfort possible.

What’s more, the mattress features Sealy’s CopperChill technology. During pregnancy, you will experience major hormonal changes. One effect of this is that you might not be able to regulate your body’s temperature as effectively. The CopperChill feature ensures you don’t feel too warm when sleeping, as the mattress absorbs and dissipates body heat.

Also, since you would probably take up a bigger space than usual, you will need adequate support wherever on the mattress you sleep on. Thanks to Sealy’s coils running from the center to the edge, you can guarantee that you’ll sleep comfortably despite getting near its corners.

What could be done better

This mattress is a combination of springs and foam, so you may find it a bit firm if you’re pretty sensitive. It may not be a problem for pregnant women, as they mostly sleep on their backs or sides. However, it could pose an issue after your pregnancy.

Moreover, like any bed-in-a-box, you may encounter a strong smell that may linger up to a few days after unpacking it. You will have to endure the odor for a couple of nights before it fades away.

Casper Original Hybrid Mattress

51HSMOKzRqL. SL500

Specs

  • Zoned support
  • AirScape
  • Firm border
  • Good for the planet
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • 10-year warranty

When it comes to picking out a pregnancy mattress, the first thing you’ll want to figure out is how much it can support your body. The Casper Original Hybrid mattress addresses this concern with its zoned support.

Basically, it has to do with the mattress’s ergonomics. The soft foam provides relief to your upper body, while the firmer parts of the foam support the lower body. With this combination, you can guarantee that your spine stays straight and gets proper support in all the right places.

The Casper Original Hybrid has numerous tiny holes on the top layer to prevent you from feeling too warm as your sleep. As you may already know, this is particularly important for pregnant women who have fluctuating body temperatures throughout the day. These tiny holes absorb both your body heat and hot air, allowing cooler air to pass through.

You’re bringing a new life into this world, and you want to make sure that they get to grow in a healthy and caring environment. Casper takes that to heart and does its part in saving the planet by using recycled bottles to manufacture their mattresses.

Even better, it comes with a 100-night sleep trial to provide you with a good enough window to test it out first. In addition to this, Casper also provides a 10-year limited warranty with your purchase.

What could be done better:

If your overall weight during pregnancy goes beyond 230 pounds, you may have a problem with the Casper Original mattress. The coils and foam guarantee adequate support to your body. However, they might not be enough to sustain weights over 230 pounds.

Also, you will find that the coil extends slightly towards the edge. So, the Casper Original mattress tends to be a little soft on this area. You may have a hard time getting in and out of bed, as the mattress’s support decreases as it gets closer to the sides.

Leesa Legend Mattress

31zYg1k5KYS. SL500

Specs

  • Spring and foam
  • Two layers of spring
  • Comes with a mattress cover
  • Manufactured with sustainability in mind
  • CertiPUR-U.S. certified
  • 100-night sleep trial
  • 10-year warranty

Another stellar option for pregnant women is the Leesa Legend Mattress. This medium-firm mattress combines the notable qualities of coils and foam.

The top layer keeps you comfortable and almost feels like the mattress is hugging you. The second layer features two types of springs. The pocket springs give the edges a bit more sturdiness. At the same time, the strategically placed micro-coils near the center provide better hip and shoulder support.

One thing you wouldn’t find in other mattresses here is a mattress cover. Leesa ensures your safety and comfort by adding a mattress cover to your purchase. This cover is a combination of Merino wool and other organic materials. It helps prevent moisture from building up when you lie down on the bed.

Aside from the mattress’s natural materials, it also uses recycled substances to help save the planet. Leesa Legend uses recycled water bottles in its mattresses. And because of this, it holds a CertiPUR-U.S. certification.

You will also like that it comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 10-year warranty. These protect your purchase and will keep your mind at peace, resulting in better-quality sleep.

What could be done better:

One thing that will make the Leesa Legend mattress better is its weight. All of its other features are beneficial to pregnant women. The problem is that lifting and moving the mattress will prove physically demanding because of how bulky and heavy it is.

Additionally, if you weigh above normal during pregnancy, the micro-coils at the center of the mattress may be burdensome. In other cases, they may not fully support your body.

Additional sleep support

Aside from getting the best mattress, it’s also important that pregnant women utilize other sleep support. This is imperative, especially after the first trimester.

Pillows

There are special loft pillows made for neck support for expectant moms. Those who have larger than usual heads will find more comfort with high-loft pillows that can be as thick as five inches. There are also medium-loft pillows that are around three inches thick.

Toppers

If you and your partner can’t agree on the firmness of the mattress, you can opt for a topper that suits your comfort level. This bedding will also increase the support for your back and hip. It can make the mattress softer and firmer depending on the topper you purchase. You can get an inflatable pregnancy mattress that serves as a topper.

Adjustable bed base

If you have the money, you can opt for an adjustable bed base. This will allow you to incline or elevate the mattress as you wish. It will help on the breathing and reducing the symptoms of heartburn due to the acid reflux.

Sleeping tips for pregnant women

To help you achieve enough sleep every day, here are some tips:

Nap as frequent as possible. Power naps can help harness the spiking progesterone levels.

Munch salty snacks. This will help you fight the discomfort of morning sickness.

Sit or stand after meals. This is very true during the second trimester. Also, avoid eating spicy foods at this point to prevent heartburn.

Sleep on the left side. Sleeping at your back during the third trimester cuts down the oxygen supply of your baby. This is also more comfortable for you since it will reduce the risk of apnea.

Perform light stretching before bed. Doing light leg stretching before bedtime will prevent cramps in the middle of the night.

Reduce fluids before bedtime. If you loathe frequent peeing at night, don’t splurge on fluids before bedtime. Still, don’t hold your thirst.

The best mattress for pregnancy will not just make the gestation phase more bearable. It will also ensure that your baby is getting the right support for his or her growth inside your womb. After all the sacrifice, all will be worth it during delivery day.

Conclusion

All these mattresses will certainly be helpful during pregnancy. However, Leesa Legend’s combination of spring and foam, plus their attention to detail evident in the two different types of coils used, are certainly worth noting.

You just need to make sure that it doesn’t hurt your pocket too much. Also, find someone, your partner perhaps, to help you unpack the mattress and set it up. Its weight may be too much for your pregnant body to bear.

Leesa Legend or not, the most important thing you must consider when choosing a mattress is if it ticks all the boxes in your checklist. If you believe that there’s a better choice, do not hesitate to let us know by commenting below.

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