New study uncovers a surprising link between C-sections and sleep
Credit: Canva/Motherly
Every mom expects sleepless nights with a newborn. For those recovering from a C-section, that exhaustion may have a deeper cause.
Table of Contents
Bringing a baby home changes everything about sleep. For moms recovering from a C-section, those early nights can feel especially complex—balancing a healing body, newborn care, and the kind of exhaustion that seeps into every part of the day. A new study helps validate what many moms have felt all along: C-section recovery affects sleep in distinct ways, and mothers deserve care that reflects the realities of that healing.
What research reveals about the connection between C-sections, pain, and sleepless nights
Mothers who have experienced C-sections often describe the first weeks postpartum as a collision between surgical recovery and the nonstop needs of a newborn. At the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2025 annual meeting, researchers found that mothers who give birth by cesarean delivery are significantly more likely to experience severe pain that disrupts sleep and daily activities, and are also more likely to develop sleep disorders in the months that follow.
“Sleep is often overlooked in postpartum recovery, but it is central to a mother’s physical and mental health,” said Dr. Moe Takenoshita, lead author of the study and postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Anesthesia at Stanford University Center for Academic Medicine, in a news release from the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
“Cesarean delivery in particular appears to increase the risk for severe pain and sleep disorders, which can lead to postpartum depression, thinking and memory problems, and fatigue, as well as disrupt bonding with their babies and relationships with family and friends.”
Related: Barre with a C-section scar: My body may be different—but it’s stronger than ever
Inside the findings: how pain and sleep are intertwined after birth
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, researchers examined the connection between delivery method, pain, and sleep quality. In interviews with 41 new mothers, more than two-thirds of those who had C-sections—73% of planned cesareans and 67% of unplanned ones—reported severe pain that disrupted their sleep and daily life, compared with just 8% of mothers who had vaginal births.
When the team expanded their analysis to a nationwide insurance database of more than 1.5 million mothers who gave birth between 2008 and 2021, they found that those who had C-sections were 16% more likely to be diagnosed with a new sleep disorder such as insomnia, sleep deprivation, or obstructive sleep apnea within the first year postpartum, compared with those who delivered vaginally.
The hidden weight of healing: what C-section recovery really asks of mothers
Ask any mom who’s been through it, and she’ll tell you: C-section recovery is major surgery layered onto the unrelenting care of a newborn. It’s a process that tests both body and mind.
The findings reveal how complex this recovery truly is and how postpartum care in the U.S. often fails to meet mothers’ needs, especially around pain management and sleep. Too many women are discharged within days of surgery and left to navigate healing with limited follow-up or guidance.
Dr. Takenoshita stressed that managing pain effectively is crucial, not only for physical comfort but for sleep and emotional wellbeing. “New mothers, especially those recovering from C-sections, should be sure to manage pain adequately, since untreated pain can worsen sleep,” she said.
Stronger systems of care—better discharge education, routine follow-up visits, and accessible pain management resources—could ease the physical and emotional toll of recovery.
Small shifts that can help your body heal and your mind rest
While recovery looks different for everyone, small lifestyle adjustments can make a real difference. The study’s authors recommend strategies such as gentle movement once cleared by a doctor, resting when the baby rests, limiting caffeine and alcohol later in the day, and creating a calm bedtime routine with deep breathing or a warm bath.
“About one-third of U.S. births are C-sections,” Dr. Takenoshita added. “Those who are planning a C-section should understand that the procedure is linked to more severe pain after delivery and a higher risk of sleep disorders. Anyone having sleep problems during pregnancy or after childbirth should discuss their concerns with their physician, who can evaluate the issue, make recommendations and refer them to a specialist if necessary.”
Maternal health advocates continue to call for more comprehensive postpartum care so mothers aren’t left to recover alone. No one should have to heal without help.
Related: Viral TikTok shows all the layers a C-section has to go through—and how they’re cut
Give yourself permission to heal fully
If you’re reading this through bleary eyes after another long night, know this: you are not failing. You’re recovering from one of the most demanding medical procedures there is while caring for someone who depends entirely on you. That work deserves compassion, understanding, and meaningful support—from loved ones, care teams, and communities.
Rest is essential to healing, and mothers deserve the time, care, and systems that make full recovery possible.
Source:
- American Society of Anesthesiologists. 2025 “Cesarean Delivery Linked to Higher Risk of Pain and Sleep Problems After Childbirth.”
Related articles
