Sleep Needs Change Every Trimester
Our Top 7 Picks
Saatva Classic Plush Soft
Plush Soft (3/10), Euro pillow top, dual coil system, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty
Pros
- 365-night trial covers entire pregnancy
- Lifetime warranty
- Plush Soft ideal for 2nd and 3rd trimester hip pain
- Dual coil base maintains lumbar support despite soft feel
- White-glove delivery and old mattress removal
Cons
- $1,700+ queen - premium price
- Plush Soft may feel too soft postpartum
- More motion transfer than foam alternatives
- Saatva-direct only
Helix Midnight
Medium soft (4.5/10), zoned pocketed coils, memory foam top, designed for side sleepers
Pros
- Zoned coils softer at hip - key for pregnancy hip pain relief
- Memory foam top conforms to belly and hip during side sleep
- Medium soft feels true through 3rd trimester weight gain
- 100-night trial
- Good motion isolation for couples
Cons
- ~$1,100 queen
- 100-night trial shorter than Saatva or DreamCloud
- Less responsive than hybrid alternatives for repositioning
- Edge support moderate
Purple Restore Hybrid Soft
GelFlex Grid, temperature-neutral, soft (4/10), pocketed coils - eliminates heat and pain together
Pros
- Temperature-neutral - no heat trap during pregnancy hot flashes
- GelFlex Grid provides hip pressure relief without foam heat
- Soft (4/10) appropriate for 3rd trimester hip sensitivity
- Coil base maintains lateral spinal support
- 100-night trial
Cons
- ~$1,900 queen - above average price
- Grid feel unusual - requires adjustment period
- Less motion isolation than memory foam
- Heavy to move
DreamCloud Premier
Medium (5.5/10), cashmere Euro top, pocketed coils, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty under $1,400
Pros
- 365-night trial - covers full pregnancy plus postpartum
- Lifetime warranty
- ~$1,200 queen - strong value
- Cashmere Euro top cushions hip pressure during side sleep
- Pocketed coils reduce motion transfer
Cons
- Medium firmness may feel firm early in pregnancy
- Less precise zoning than Helix or Casper
- Average edge support
- Setup required - heavy to maneuver
Casper Wave Hybrid
7-zone pressure mapping, medium (5/10), latex layer, responsive - best for multi-position pregnancy sleeping
Pros
- 7 ergonomic zones accommodate changing body shape
- Latex layer adds bounce - easier repositioning in 3rd trimester
- Cooling perforations reduce pregnancy-related overheating
- Strong edge support for getting out of bed with growing belly
- Good motion isolation for couples
Cons
- ~$2,500 queen - most expensive
- 100-night trial shorter than Saatva or DreamCloud
- Heavy to move for nursery setup
- Zoning less effective for very petite pregnant sleepers
Nectar Premier Copper
Copper gel memory foam, medium soft (5/10), 365-night trial, lifetime warranty - cooling plus pressure relief
Pros
- 365-night trial - full pregnancy coverage
- Lifetime warranty
- Copper infusion adds cooling plus antimicrobial properties
- ~$900 queen - best price with this trial/warranty combo
- Zero motion transfer - ideal for couples
Cons
- All-foam - less responsive, harder to reposition in 3rd trimester
- Memory foam retains some heat despite copper infusion
- Heavier sleepers near term may compress through base layer
- Extra effort to get out of bed due to no bounce
WinkBed Original Medium Soft
Medium soft (4.5/10), reinforced perimeter, high bounce innerspring, easy out-of-bed movement
Pros
- High bounce - easiest nighttime repositioning
- Reinforced perimeter - strong edge for getting out of bed
- Lifetime warranty at mid-range price (~$1,500 queen)
- Medium soft appropriate for hip pressure relief
- 120-night trial
Cons
- More motion transfer than foam - partner may feel repositioning
- 120-night trial shorter than Saatva or DreamCloud
- Less conforming than memory foam for belly cradle feel
- Less brand recognition than Helix or Casper
A 2019 study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology found that women with poor sleep quality in the third trimester had 5.2 times higher odds of Caesarean section and 1.8 times higher odds of preterm birth. A 2022 study in Sleep Medicine identified hip and back pain as the leading causes of pregnancy sleep disruption, present in 64% of participants from week 28 onward. The studies consistently identify sleep surface support as a modifiable factor - women sleeping on medium-soft to medium surfaces reported significantly fewer pain-related awakenings than those on firm surfaces across all three trimesters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What mattress firmness is best during pregnancy?
Medium to medium-soft (4-5.5/10). During the first trimester, standard firmness works fine. By the second and third trimesters, side sleeping becomes mandatory and a softer surface is needed to cradle the belly and relieve hip and shoulder pressure. Avoid very firm mattresses after the first trimester.
Is it safe to sleep on your back during pregnancy?
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends avoiding back sleeping after 20 weeks. The growing uterus can compress the inferior vena cava during back sleep, reducing blood flow to the baby. Left-side sleeping is recommended from the second trimester onward as it optimizes fetal blood flow.
What type of mattress is best for pregnancy hip pain?
Memory foam or hybrid mattresses with a soft to medium-soft comfort layer. During pregnancy, relaxin hormone loosens the hip joints and ligaments, making hip pressure much more painful than before pregnancy. A surface that conforms to the hip curve without creating a pressure hot spot is essential. Pair with a pregnancy pillow between the knees.
Can a mattress help with pregnancy back pain?
Yes. A mattress too firm does not cushion the hip during side sleep, causing compensatory lumbar twisting. A mattress too soft lets the hip sag, creating a lateral curve in the lumbar spine. Medium-soft hybrid mattresses with coil base support maintain the lateral spinal alignment needed to prevent and reduce pregnancy back pain.
Should I buy a new mattress before my baby is born?
Yes, if your current mattress is firm, more than 7 years old, or showing body impressions. Pregnancy dramatically increases sleep-related discomfort on an unsupportive surface, and poor sleep quality is linked to longer labor duration and higher rates of postpartum depression. Choose a mattress with a long trial period so you can assess it across all three trimesters and early postpartum.