Pregnancy changes almost every aspect of a woman’s life — and her sleep. The body changes to accommodate the developing baby, and sleep positions do, too, creating pressure points and decreased comfort in the process. The good news? Picking the right mattress for pregnancy can go a long way in easing nighttime pain. With that in mind, in this article, we’ll help you discover the crucial mattress characteristics that every mom-to-be needs to know about, so you can promote not only a more blissful sleep but also a more naturally healthy pregnancy.
Why the Mattress You Sleep on During Pregnancy is Important?
Up to 78 percent of pregnant women report sleep disturbances during pregnancy, according to the Sleep Foundation. These may stem from physical changes, such as weight gain, back pain, heartburn, overheating, and hormone fluctuations.
Supportive, pressure-relieving, and breathable mattresses can help prevent some of these symptoms from developing. In addition to making life in the horizontal position a little more comfortable, it helps support musculoskeletal alignment, which is key as the baby grows. So, what really is it that a user needs in a mattress?
1. Lower Back Support for Hip and Back Pain, etc.
Lumbar Support: One of the most crucial aspects of a mattress for pregnant individuals is adequate lumbar support. As you grow a belly, it pulls your center of gravity forward, which adds strain to your lower back, hips, and pelvis”. If your mattress isn’t supportive enough, your spine will not remain straight while you sleep, and you will experience back pain or other problems.
“Looking after your posture Good posture is key to preventing and easing back pain” (NHS). A mattress with reinforced support zones, specifically in the lumbar area, will maintain your neutral alignment whether you sleep on your side or back.
Our range of Orthopaedic mattresses is explicitly designed to provide the best support for your spine, helping you feel comfortable throughout every week of pregnancy and during postpartum recovery.
2. Edge Support for Safety and Mobility
For pregnant women, it is often hard to get in as well as out of bed; this is especially the case in second and third trimesters. This is where edge support really matters. Read Introduction Two common complaints about bed-in-a-box mattresses are: (1) They offer little edge support. Firm edges, as well as preventing sagging, an edge constructed this way makes for a sturdy place to sit when getting in and out of bed.
When a mattress has shoddy edge support, rolling off the side or feeling as if you might feel dangerous as a pregnant person. Additionally, the more rigid edges tend to be more useful in creating space on the entire bed, especially in instances where pregnancy pillows are used or when sleeping with a partner.
Luxe Mattresses’ hybrid mattresses are designed with zoned coil systems and foam perimeter reinforcement for long-lasting, high-performance edge support.
3. Pressure Relief for Deeper Side Sleeping Comfort
Laying on your side, especially your left side, is also recommended during pregnancy as it increases blood flow to the placenta and kidneys (ACOG). Unfortunately, this approach can add stress to the hips, shoulders, and knee—which might already be tender or inflamed.
Should provide: Adaptive Pressure Relief A good pregnancy mattress adaptive pressure relief to help relieve the building pressure from the hips and shoulders. Memory foam or latex layers, molded to the body, also distribute weight, taking the pressure off pressure points. This enhances comfort and circulation while reducing joint numbness and pain.
Check out our memory foam mattresses, which cradle the body and feature various comfort zones, perfect for side sleepers or pregnant women.
4. Breathable and Cooling Fabrics
Increased metabolism and hormones leave well-expectant mothers with night sweats and overheating through pregnancy. Even when the heat is not retained, it can exacerbate this discomfort and disrupt sleep. This is why breathability is a must-have feature for pregnant sleepers.
opt for gel mattresses, open-cell technology, and natural latex, all of which help with airflow and pull heat away from your body. Harvard Health Publishing reports that maintaining a cooler body temperature while sleeping can improve overall comfort levels and help promote deeper sleep cycles.
Luxe Mattresses’ natural mattress selection features breathable materials like natural cotton and bamboo, topped with perforated latex for a fresher, more hygienic night’s sleep.
5. Features Low Motion Transfer – never wake your partner up again!
Pregnancy tends to disturb and lighten sleep. Your bed has to provide low-motion transfer, especially when you sleep with a partner. They minimize the effects of motion on the bed, so you are less likely to be disturbed when your partner rolls over or gets up at night.
A foam or hybrid mattress with a motion-isolating layer would be a great place to start. Our luxury models are constructed with Multilayer Memory Foam and Pocket Coil systems, designed to minimize motion transfer and maintain body balance, keeping your spine in a comfortable position.
6. Non-allergic and Safe Material
Pregnant women often become more sensitive to odors, allergens, and toxins. Opting for a mattress composed of non-toxic and hypoallergenic materials can help protect you from exposure to dust mites, mold, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Seek out certifications, such as OEKO-TEX®, GOTS (for organic textiles), or CertiPUR-US®, that attest to the absence of toxic chemicals. At Luxe Mattresses, we focus on using safe, skin-friendly, and eco-friendly materials to ensure both mother and child’s health is taken care of.
FAQs: What Pregnant Women Want to Know About Mattresses
- Will a bad mattress cause back pain during pregnancy?
Yes, sleeping on a saggy mattress or anything that does. Select one with built-in reinforced lumbar support to help reduce strain.
- Is it OK for pregnant women to sleep on memory foam?
Memory foam may be a good choice because it relieves pressure and contours to the body. Just make sure that it’s breathable — and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — to prevent both overheating and any sensitivities that might otherwise arise.
- How firm should a mattress be when you’re pregnant?
A medium-firm mattress is usually best. It strikes the perfect balance between firm and soft, supporting the spine while cushioning pressure points.
Final Thoughts
Pregnancy is a time when sleep is both more essential and more elusive. Your comfort and the quality of your sleep throughout all trimesters are enhanced by the quality of the mattress you purchase and its features, such as support for your back, side strength, temperature control, and pain relief. Whether you’re wading through early pregnancy fatigue or third-trimester aches, a thoughtfully designed mattress can offer both physical support and peace of mind.
Ready to elevate your sleep game during pregnancy? Browse through our orthopaedic, natural, and memory foam mattress collections at Luxe Mattresses, and let us help you find the right mattress for you and your pregnancy journey.
Marie Soukup is a seasoned senior copywriter and editor who’s written for global brands like Virgin Australia, blending storytelling and strategy to create content that connects. She’s passionate about bringing ideas to life across the travel, lifestyle, and business worlds.
Roman is a seasoned expert in mattress development with over a decade of experience in sleep technology, material innovation, and product engineering. He has played a key role in designing and refining sleep solutions for leading mattress brands, with a deep focus on ergonomics, pressure relief, and sleep quality optimization.
With a background in product design and biomechanics, Roman combines scientific research with hands-on development to create mattresses that address real-world sleep issues—from spinal alignment to temperature regulation. His work has contributed to several award-winning mattress lines known for their comfort, durability, and user satisfaction.
