The importance of the mattress in maternity

We all know the importance of a good night's sleep for overall health and well-being. However, ensuring good quality sleep is especially important in phases such as pregnancy and motherhood.

Sleep apnea, nausea, back pain, leg swelling or the constant need to go to the bathroom are just some of the factors that can compromise quality rest during pregnancy. 

During pregnancy, sleep is strongly affected: either by the constant changes in the body, or by all the needs inherent to this phase, which is both beautiful and challenging!

Sleep disturbances during pregnancy can negatively impact childbirth and the postpartum period. Said by experts! There is growing evidence to indicate that problems with sleep during this phase may be associated with adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as depressive symptoms, increased pain during labor, more caesarean sections, premature births and low birth weight. 

One of the most effective ways to ensure good quality sleep during pregnancy is to pay attention to the type of mattress used - after all, an uncomfortable and poor quality mattress can (even more) impair your rest. Therefore, sleeping on the right mattress also plays a predominant role in the stages of pregnancy and motherhood. 

Before choosing the mattress, it is essential to understand which positions are most suitable for sleeping during pregnancy. After all, these also influence the type of mattress to choose.

The best position to sleep in pregnancy

Sleeping on your stomach during pregnancy is only possible in the first few months. As time progresses (and the belly grows), continuing to sleep in this position becomes complicated and is not recommended at all! 

In addition to being uncomfortable, sleeping on your stomach during pregnancy is life-threatening for the baby, especially in the last trimester. The weight of the uterus compresses the vein that pumps blood to the heart, restricting blood flow, eventually causing a decrease in oxygen reaching the baby. So if you sleep on your stomach, make the most of it while you can! 

The best sleeping position for pregnant women, and the one recommended by experts, is sleep on the side (mainly in the second and third trimester).

 According to the American Pregnancy Association, pregnant women should sleep on the left side in order to increase the amount of blood and nutrients reaching the placenta and the baby. In addition, it helps to reduce swelling, varicose veins in the legs and removes pressure placed on the bladder, decreasing the need to urinate.

In this position, a pillow can be placed between the legs to increase comfort and relieve pressure.

How to choose the right mattress?

Bearing in mind that the body is constantly changing, this seems like a pretty complicated choice! 

Although the choice of mattress is dependent on each person's preference, there are some points to consider when choosing the best mattress for pregnancy. In addition to being prepared to provide a good rest during pregnancy, the mattress must continue to perform well in the medium and long term - after all, the pregnant woman will not stay pregnant forever! Therefore, the chosen mattress needs to meet sleep needs, even after the baby is born.

The ideal mattress for the pregnant woman should be able to relieve pressure from sensitive areas while providing support for her growing belly. The right mattress can help keep discomfort at bay and have a huge positive impact on your sleep quality.

In addition, for pregnant women who sleep together, it is essential to ensure that the chosen mattress is comfortable for the partner as well. 

When choosing a mattress for pregnant women, there are at least four essential characteristics that should dictate the selection. Know them.

 

• Mattress Composition

 

Although the market is increasingly moving towards more environmentally friendly practices and models, there are still many mattresses on the market that are made from petrochemicals, toxic adhesives, etc. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention and understand which materials contain a certain mattress model. People with allergies and respiratory problems, as well as, in this case, pregnant women, should prefer sustainable mattresses or mattresses made from natural materials.

 

• Mattress firmness

 

For the most comfortable nights sleep during pregnancy, the mattress can be neither too hard nor too soft. This must be able to adapt to the pregnant woman's body, providing adequate comfort during the months of pregnancy. 

The mattress chosen must be of medium firmness, as it maintains a comfort layer soft enough to relieve pressure on the hips and lower back, but strong enough that the body does not “sag” into the bed.

 

• independence of movements

 

Most pregnant women suffer from the constant need to go to the bathroom during the night and, for this reason, they get in and out of bed over and over again! For couples, this factor can be even more disturbing because, probably, the partner will also end up having their sleep impaired. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose a mattress with movement isolation technology included, allowing the pregnant woman to move/stand up without disturbing her partner. 

In addition, a mattress with independence of movement turns out to be very useful even after the baby is born. As it isolates movements, it allows sharing a bed without running the risk of waking the baby. Restful sleep for both of you!

 

• Temperature regulation

 

Hormones: one of the worst enemies of pregnancy. Not only responsible for mood swings, hormones also directly interfere with body temperature. Due to the fact that most pregnant women experience uncontrolled night sweats, the mattress must contain breathable materials and temperature regulators. Choosing a mattress that allows good air circulation is ideal!

After writing down this checklist, choosing the mattress for the pregnant woman becomes easier and more intuitive. In short, the right mattress should:

• be free of toxic materials;
• have medium firmness;
• allow independence of movement;
• be cool and breathable.

The best mattresses to sleep on during pregnancy

The best types of mattresses for pregnant women are those that combine support, comfort, freshness and freedom of movement in one. 

Pocket spring mattresses are the ones with the greatest stability during pregnancy. In addition to providing maximum comfort to the pregnant woman's body, they also allow you to withstand pressure individually, preventing one person's movements from interfering with the other's sleep. 

Our mattresses adopt a technology hybrid, combining the support and air circulation of a pocket spring mattress with the comfort and pressure relief of memory foam. While evenly supporting the body's weight, they keep the spine aligned. 

These are, therefore, the best options for Colmol mattresses for pregnant women:

 

Other sleep solutions for pregnant women

In addition to the right mattress, there are a number of other ways to enhance comfort that can make a big difference to expectant sleep.

 

About Gel Mattress

 

It is an economical option for those looking for extra comfort. Just choose the topper with the same dimensions as the mattress, place it on top and sleep like an angel! 

Provides total pressure relief from the body, while being a practical solution for those looking for extra comfort and increased air circulation through the carbon fibers and anti-static fabric.

What's more, this topper can be easily changed or removed if sleep needs change throughout the pregnancy.

 

Cushions

 

One of the most essential accessories for pregnant women to rest are pillows. They are great allies for belly support or to place between the legs for greater support while sleeping. But not only! Cushions also provide an excellent source of postpartum support, facilitating breastfeeding.

 

 

 

FAQs about maternity mattresses

 

Magnetic mattress for pregnancy, is it advisable?

Magnetic mattresses are said to help with pain and sleep problems, however, there is no scientific evidence to effectively support this theory. 

Magnetic mattresses should be avoided as exposure to magnets is advised against during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Therefore, a magnetic mattress should not be used during pregnancy.

 

Should a pregnant woman use a massage mattress for back pain?

 

In addition to sleeping on the right mattress, there are many other ways to alleviate pregnancy back pain without resorting to a massage mattress. It is preferable to adopt adapted and controlled practices of physical exercise, stretching or even prenatal and postpartum massages performed by qualified professionals.