Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy and How Your Mattress Affects Them

Pregnancy is a time of many changes — some (glowing skin!) more enjoyable than others (fantastic dreams!). In these moments, one of the most challenging things for many pregnant women is lying down in bed. As your body changes, so do your sleep requirements. Choosing the best mattress for pregnancy & sleeping position during pregnancy here matters not only supports you better but also many consider for safety and quality sleep. However, what many fail to consider is the importance of your mattress and its impact on these positions. In this article, we’ll explore how your tried-and-true sleeping position during pregnancy interfaces with mattress firmness, contouring, and support—and how the optimal sleep surface can make all the difference.

Why Sleep Position Matters in Pregnancy?

Sleeping on your side, especially the left side, is the most comfortable and safest sleep position during pregnancy, according to the National Health Service. This stance increases blood flow to the heart, uterus, and and kidneys, and prevents the liver from exerting pressure on the growing fetus.

But as pregnancy goes on, even side-sleeping can start to feel a little too awkward if you don’t have the right mattress support. An unsupportive or overly hard mattress can cause pressure to build up on the hips and shoulders, while a mattress that’s too soft can cause the spine to sag, exacerbating lower back pain.

Pregnancy Sleep Positions and How Your Mattress Can Help or Hurt Them

1.    Sleeping On Your Left Side (Best Position)

Many doctors and experts recommend sleeping on the left side during pregnancy. This is the best position for blood flow to the baby and the kidneys can work more easily to remove waste.

That being said, back and stomach sleepers get the short end of the stick, and it can add pressure to the left shoulder and hip if the mattress doesn’t offer appropriate contouring, even when lying on their left side. The fix: A medium-firm mattress that has a plush comfort layer to help relieve some of that added pressure, but your body is still supported properly and the spine is kept in alignment. It is designed to provide support to the spine and cradle pressure points.

LuxeMattresses memory foam mattresses react to your curves to keep your spine in a neutral position.

2.    Right Side Sleeping

While sleeping on your left side is ideal, sleeping on your right side is still generally acceptable. However, right-sided sleeping can increase pressure on the liver, according to Harvard Health.

The problem with both sides is hip and shoulder pain. A mattress with zoned support — firmer beneath the hips and softer under the shoulders, for example — can assist in that balancing act to alleviate discomfort.

Our zoned support mattresses  deliver these exact comfort layers to ensure that your joints are free from pain and your spine remains stable throughout side sleeping.

3.    Sleeping on Your Back (Avoid in the Second and Third Trimesters)

Sleeping on your back in early pregnancy is okay, but once you reach the second trimester, it may compress the vena cava — the large vein that carries blood back to your heart. This may lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, and decreased blood flow to the baby.

However, you don’t need to stress if you wake up on your back. Try firm pillows or a pregnancy wedge that tilts your body to one side, or choose a mattress that encourages side sleeping, such as one that reduces pressure along your shoulders and hips.

LuxeMattresses’ hybrid models combine responsive coils and contouring foam to deliver just-right support and comfort, allowing you to find a comfortable side-sleeping position all night.

4.    Front Sleeping (Not Recommended in Mid-Late Pregnancy)

Sleeping on your stomach becomes uncomfortable, and eventually, it becomes impossible (when the belly becomes large). It stresses the neck and lower back, and can lead to ligament pain.

A few women in early pregnancy may still find stomach sleeping comfortable. If you do, then what you want to sleep on is a medium-firm mattress that offers the right amount of support. Later in pregnancy, if sleeping on the left side has become the safest and most comfortable way to sleep, this mattress should provide perfectly distributed pressure.

Pregnancy Sleep Positions And What Qualities To Look For In A Mattress

1. Firmness Level

A medium-firm mattress is often best during pregnancy, as it provides a good balance of support and comfort. If mattresses are not firm enough — or too firm — your spine will be thrown out of alignment, and your neck will be raised or lowered, which can again cause pain, especially for side sleepers.

b. Pressure-Relieving Substances

Free-standing mattresses often feature memory foam, latex, or gel-infused layers that conform to the contours of your body, relieving pressure from your joints. These materials encourage side sleeping by softening around the shoulders and hips, where most of the body’s weight is concentrated.

Browse our Pressure-relieving mattresses, built to support a comfortable pregnancy and beyond.

c. Edge Support

If you’re a position switcher or take advantage of the edge of the bed to get in and out, strong edge support is an essential feature. It prevents you from rolling off, providing stability, which can be especially crucial at the end of pregnancy in the third trimester when balance starts to become an issue.

Discover our hybrid mattresses, featuring edge support that provides some of the best edge support available on the market.

d. Cooling Technology

Pregnancy can also exacerbate body heat and night sweats. A breathable mattress constructed from cooling foam or natural fibers, such as bamboo or organic cotton, will help moderate body temperature.

Our natural mattress features a combination of airflow-enhancing layers to keep you cool throughout the night.

FAQs: What Are The Sleeping Positions During Pregnancy?

1. What’s the best sleeping position during pregnancy? 

The left side is best, as it helps blood flow to the baby and reduces pressure on your organs, especially during the second and third trimesters.

2. Is it OK to sleep on my back while I’m pregnant? 

It’s fine in early pregnancy, but after the first trimester, sleeping on your back can compress the major blood vessels in the back. Positioning pillows or using a properly designed mattress can encourage side lying.

• Does the firmness of a mattress affect sleep comfort during pregnancy? 

Yes. A contouring, medium-firm mattress is designed to keep your back in its natural position and alleviate pressure points from the middle of the bed to both sides, according to your sleeping position.

Final Thoughts

During pregnancy, it’s no secret that sleep can be a struggle, But with the right mattress that’s specifically adjustable to your go-to sleep position, the Zoma is worth a look. Sleeping on your left side is generally considered the best position, unless you have a poor sleeping surface. From lumbar support to contouring foam to breathable fabrics, every mattress feature contributes to keeping expectant mothers safe, supported, and comfortable throughout their pregnancy.

Check out the full range of pregnancy-friendly mattresses beds that can provide the ideal marriage of comfort and support at every stage of pregnancy.

Rida Sayed