Sleeping with a bun in the oven can be hard work at best, and it can be nearly impossible if you don't have the right slumber support. In this case, we've compiled a nifty little guide to help those mothers-to-be in desperate need of a bit of shut-eye before the baby comes.
Why is sleeping while pregnant harder than normal?
Truth bomb time: sleeping pregnant can be exhausting. You're strong-armed into switching up your entire nighttime routine, and even then, getting comfortable will be an uphill battle. With this in mind, nine months is a long time, so ensuring you have the right tools for the job should be up there on your ever-growing to-do list.
Are you finding yourself with one hand constantly placed on the bottom of your back? Lower back pain is pretty much a staple of pregnancy, with an estimated 50-80% of pregnant women suffering from it. As your baby's weight continues to grow, it'll only worsen, we're afraid. When you're pregnant, your centre of gravity will naturally shift forward, causing your body to arch backwards and stop you from falling forward a hundred times daily.
However, that isn't good for your sleeping habits. And when you thought that sleep would provide you with some respite, fate and biology had other plans. Your back muscles will continue to contort throughout the night to handle the extra pressure. If your mattress doesn't adequately support this, your poor body won't get a chance to relax and heal in preparation for tomorrow.
What type of mattress will suit pregnant sleepers the best?
So, what's the solution? Memory foam mattresses are known for supporting equal weight distribution and ending all nighttime contorting that wakes you up whether you need the toilet or not. Additionally, memory foam is also the answer to one of the most infuriating aspects of pregnancy: your other half. If their bad sleeping habits keep you up at night, then the reduction in motion transfer provided by the memory foam should alleviate the issue. Find out more about how great these mattresses are in our memory foam mattress buying guide.
If you're unsure which level of firmness will best fit your needs, we recommend a medium to firm tension. This will retain enough comfort layers to relieve some of that pressure but also has enough thickness so you don't sink into the bed. We all know how often pregnant women need to get up in the middle of the night, and the last thing you'll need when your bladder is at bursting point is to be stuck in your mattress!
What about pregnancy mattress toppers?
If you're unsure about committing to a brand-new mattress, a mattress topper can significantly relieve your slumber situation. The great thing about mattress toppers is that they're particularly effective for that crafty lower back pain that keeps you tossing and turning. Memory foam mattress toppers are particularly effective at around 2-3 inches thick, and the construction of the topper means that it remembers your body's optimum pressure and position while retaining the charms and quirks of your current mattress.
However, if you're searching for some softness, it's essential to consider weight and density. Often, I find that pregnant women are fine with the firmness of their current mattress but need something a little bit softer to ease the extra aches brought on by pregnancy.
What's the best way to sleep during pregnancy?
While there's no perfect mattress for pregnant stomach sleepers, there are ways that you can adjust your usual sleeping style to ease that ache for comfort. Try sleeping on your side with your knees and hips bent and a pillow between your knees. It alleviates some of that extra pressure, especially during your final trimester, and improves the flow of blood and nutrients to your foetus, uterus and kidneys.
Our helpful blog article offers plenty of great tips on the best sleeping position for pregnant women, so make sure to check it out for more advice!
