Best Mattresses for Pregnancy: Support, Comfort & Trimester Guide

Pregnancy transforms your body and sleep needs over nine months. A mattress that felt perfect before may become uncomfortable as your body changes. This guide covers what to look for at each stage and which options work best.

For complete sleep health guidance, visit our Sleep Health Hub.

How pregnancy changes sleep needs

First trimester (Weeks 1-12)

Change	Sleep Impact	Mattress Need
Fatigue	More time in bed	Comfort for extended rest
Nausea	May sleep propped up	Adjustable base helps
Breast tenderness	Side sleeping discomfort	Softer comfort layer
Frequent urination	Multiple nighttime trips	Easy-exit mattress

Mattress priority: Comfort and ease of movement

Second trimester (Weeks 13-26)

Change	Sleep Impact	Mattress Need
Growing belly	Position changes harder	Responsive surface
Back pain begins	Lumbar support critical	Zoned support
Hip pain	Pressure at hip points	Adequate cushioning
Better energy	May tolerate firmness	Can break in new mattress

Mattress priority: Support with pressure relief at hips

Third trimester (Weeks 27-40)

Change	Sleep Impact	Mattress Need
Large belly	Only side sleeping works	Deep hip cushioning
Severe back pain	Maximum lumbar support	Firm core with soft top
Overheating	Temperature regulation	Cooling technology
Difficulty moving	Getting up is hard	Edge support, responsiveness
Shortness of breath	May need elevation	Adjustable base beneficial

Mattress priority: Maximum support, cooling, ease of movement

Best firmness for pregnancy

Trimester	Recommended Firmness	Why
First	Medium (5/10)	Comfort focus; body hasn't changed much
Second	Medium-firm (6/10)	Support for growing belly; back pain prevention
Third	Medium-firm (6-7/10)	Maximum support; hip cushioning critical

The balance: Need enough cushioning for hip pressure relief (side sleeping) but enough support to prevent excessive sinking (back strain).

Key features for pregnancy mattresses

Zoned support

The best pregnancy mattresses have different firmness zones:

Zone	Purpose
Shoulders	Softer for side-sleeping pressure relief
Lumbar	Firmer for lower back support
Hips	Medium for alignment without excess pressure
Legs	Supportive for circulation

Cooling

Pregnant bodies run warmer due to:

• Increased blood volume
• Higher metabolism
• Baby's body heat
• Hormonal changes

Look for: Gel foam, coil airflow, breathable covers, phase-change materials

Responsiveness

Getting in and out of bed becomes challenging:

• Quick response (latex, hybrid) beats slow memory foam
• Edge support helps with exit
• Easy movement for position changes

Edge support

As belly grows:

• May need to sit on edge to get up
• Partner may sleep closer to edge
• Nighttime bathroom trips require stable exit

Best mattress types for pregnancy

Hybrid mattresses: top choice

Why they work:

• Coils provide support without excessive firmness
• Foam comfort layers cushion pressure points
• Responsive—easier to move and reposition
• Good airflow for temperature regulation

Best for: Most pregnant women, especially second/third trimester

Latex mattresses: excellent alternative

Why they work:

• Naturally supportive and responsive
• Excellent cooling properties
• Durable—won't develop impressions
• Natural materials for chemical-conscious moms

Best for: Eco-conscious, hot sleepers, those wanting bounce

Memory foam: works with caveats

Why it can work:

• Excellent pressure relief at hips
• Good motion isolation if partner moves

Concerns:

• Heat retention
• Slow response makes repositioning harder
• Very soft models may lack support

Best for: Those who prioritize pressure relief over responsiveness

Quick picks for pregnancy

Mattress recommendations by concern

Back pain priority

Option	Why It Works	Price Range
WinkBed	Zoned lumbar support, euro-top	$$$
Saatva Classic	Innerspring support with pillow-top	$$$
DreamCloud	Hybrid support at value price	$$

Hip pain priority

Option	Why It Works	Price Range
Purple Hybrid	Grid collapses at hips	$$$$
Helix Midnight	Softer shoulder/hip zones	$$$
Layla Hybrid	Copper-infused pressure relief	$$$

For more hip pain solutions, see Best Mattresses for Hip Pain.

Temperature priority

Option	Why It Works	Price Range
Purple Hybrid	Grid airflow + coils	$$$$
Birch Natural	Latex + coils + wool	$$$$
Brooklyn Aurora	CopperFlex cooling tech	$$$

For more cooling options, see Best Cooling Mattresses on Amazon.

Adjustable bases for pregnancy

Head elevation helps with:

• Shortness of breath
• Acid reflux/heartburn
• Swelling (legs elevated)
• Reading/resting comfortably

Key features:

• Independent head/foot control
• Zero-gravity preset
• Quiet operation (won't wake partner)
• USB ports for phone charging

See our Best Adjustable Bed Frames on Amazon for recommendations.

Pregnancy pillow vs. mattress upgrade

If your mattress is fairly new and supportive, a pregnancy pillow may be sufficient:

Pregnancy Pillow	Mattress Upgrade
$30-100	$700-2,000+
Adds targeted support	Changes entire sleep surface
Minimal commitment	Long-term investment
Portable	Stays in bedroom
Best if mattress is adequate	Best if mattress is old/unsuitable

Our recommendation: If your mattress is less than 5 years old and medium-firm, try a pregnancy pillow first. If old, sagging, or causes pain, upgrade the mattress.

When to buy a new mattress

Best timing

When	Pros	Cons
Pre-pregnancy	Full break-in time	May not know pregnancy needs
First trimester	Plenty of adjustment time	May be too fatigued to shop
Second trimester	Optimal	Sweet spot of energy and time
Third trimester	Know exact needs	Hard to shop; delivery stress
Postpartum	Can include nursery needs	Sleep-deprived decision-making

Ideal: Late first or early second trimester

Signs you need to upgrade

• Mattress is 7+ years old
• Visible sagging or impressions
• Waking with back or hip pain
• Mattress no longer feels supportive
• Can feel partner's every movement

Safety considerations

Off-gassing

New foam mattresses release volatile organic compounds (VOCs):

Safety measures:

• Choose CertiPUR-US certified foam
• Unbox in ventilated room
• Air out 24-72 hours before sleeping
• If sensitive, choose latex or innerspring

Chemicals of concern

For maximum safety, look for:

• GOTS certified organic cotton
• GOLS certified organic latex
• OEKO-TEX certified materials
• No flame retardant chemicals (look for natural wool barriers)

Safest options: Avocado, Birch, Naturepedic

Complete pregnancy sleep setup

After baby arrives

Your mattress needs will change again:

• First months: Easy exit for nighttime feeds; may co-sleep
• Sleep deprivation: Quality sleep when you get it matters more
• Recovery: Support for healing body
• Partner considerations: Motion isolation if one parent is on duty

Plan ahead: Choose a mattress that works for pregnancy AND early parenthood.

Final recommendations

1. Upgrade during second trimester if your mattress is old or unsupportive
2. Choose medium-firm hybrid for best balance of support and comfort
3. Prioritize responsiveness for easier position changes
4. Consider cooling if you tend to sleep warm
5. Add pregnancy pillow for additional targeted support

The right mattress can significantly improve sleep quality during pregnancy—which becomes precious as your due date approaches.

For more side-sleeping support, see Best Mattresses for Side Sleepers. For hip pain solutions, check Best Mattresses for Hip Pain.

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