Whether you have a scheduled c section coming up or you are at home recovering, knowing how to sleep after a c section is so important. And it can make your c section recovery that much smoother!
I speak from experience (I’m a 2x c section mom) that c section recovery is completely doable. You can expect recovery to be longer than if you gave birth vaginally, but your c section recovery timeline will not be months and months long.
As you start preparing or navigating recovery, it is extremely important to focus on your c section after care, which includes sleeping in positions that will aid your recovery.
In this post, we will be talking all about how to sleep after a c section, the best sleep positions after a c section and how they can impact your c section recovery.
This post is all about how to sleep after c section.
How To Sleep After C Section
First, it is very important to recognize that a c section delivery is major surgery. Six separate layers of your abdominal wall and uterus are cut during the surgery and closed with stitches.
Recovery from this alone will take time and rest… but then you add a newborn baby to the mix and things get really crazy.
You will receive A LOT of help while a patient in the hospital and your doctor will provide specific care information to help you through the healing process at home. But c section after care will be key to your postpartum recovery.
One major part of recovery is rest and that includes sleep!
There are a few different sleeping positions you can choose from after a c section. It may take some time for you to figure out which is the most comfortable or your preference may change throughout your recovery.
The important things to remember when finding the best sleeping position after c section are:
- Prioritize your comfort. C section recovery or (postpartum recovery in general) is not the most glamorous thing in the world. But your body will be in some pain at first and feel a little strange. As you try out the various sleep positions after c section, you may need to add pillows or try out different arrangements until you find what works best for you and your body.
- Take your time getting into and out of these sleeping positions. You never want to strain or overexert yourself. This can lead to complications with recovery including opening up your c section incision, pulling a muscle or a number of other things.
#1 – Sleep On Your Back
This is one of the best sleep positions after a c section because it takes all of the pressure off of your c section incision. You can also add pillows under your hips, knees and/or lower back to take off any pressure.
But if you are sleeping on your back, it is extremely important to avoid sitting straight up from this position as this can put a major strain on your abdomen and c section incision.
Instead, roll onto your side, use your arms to push yourself up and swing your legs so they are hanging off of the bed or couch and you are in a seated position.
#2 – Sleep On Your Side
This is an option if you really do not like sleeping on your back and can be one of the easier positions to get into.
Sleeping on your left side also aids in blood flow, which can also help with your postpartum recovery.
You may also need to use pillows to support your hips and belly. A pregnancy pillow can be really helpful!
#3 – Sleep In A Recliner
Sleeping in a recliner is another one of the recommended sleeping positions after c section because it removes the pressure from your abdomen and incision.
This may make sleeping more comfortable for you but it may also negatively impact the quality of your sleep.
Personally, I find it hard to sleep in a recliner at night but it is perfect for daytime naps!
#4 – Sleep With An Elevated Upper Body
Sleeping at even a 45 degree angle can help improve your sleep postpartum and improve your breathing too.
You can try using a wedge pillow to elevate your upper body or stack more than one regular pillow on top of each other to get the same effect. You can also try putting pillows under your knees to provide additional support and comfort.
Make sure you use the rolling method discussed earlier to get in and out of bed.
C Section Preparation
In addition to learning to how to sleep after a c section, it is important to know how to make your c section recovery successful from the start if you have an upcoming planned c section.
Preparation before the surgery will be a game changer for your recovery, trust me.
You will be limited in what you can do when you come home from the hospital so I always recommend that moms get the house ready to go before they deliver their baby.
The most important things to consider doing for c section preparation include:
- Stock your bathroom (upstairs and downstairs if you have a two story house) with pads or disposable underwear.
- Make use of a caddy. I can guarantee that you will not want to be walking up and down the stairs multiple times a day in the early postpartum period so getting something to organize the diapers, wipes, blankets and spare outfits on the first floor of the house during the day will be a game changer for your recovery.
- Purchase and set up pack ‘n play with changing pad and bassinet. This makes diaper changes and naps on the first floor of your house infinitely easier in those first few weeks. Again, you will want to avoid climbing the stairs multiple times a day to avoid any unnecessary c section recovery pain so this type of setup on the first floor is so helpful. There are so many to choose from but this is a good example.
- Have loose and flowy clothing on hand.
- Prepare freezer meals prior to c section delivery or ask family for help.
- Have a few good Netflix shows to binge. This is not completely necessary but it can be an enjoyable way to spend your first few weeks.
This post was all about how to sleep after c section.