C-Section Births Linked to Increased Risk of Sleep Issues, Study Finds

Recovery after birth isn’t easy. And for the one-third of US parents who undergo a C-section, that recovery may be an even more challenging.

A new study by the American Society of Anesthesiologists examined how C-section recovery differs from vaginal delivery using both qualitative (talking to mothers in small sample) and quantitative (looking at large-scale data) data.

When talking to 41 mothers about their postpartum experiences—24 with vaginal births, 11 with scheduled C-sections and 6 with unplanned C-sections—more than two-thirds of those who had C-sections (73% of scheduled and 67% of unplanned) reported severe pain that disrupted sleep and daily activities, compared to just 8% of those who delivered vaginally.

To see more about this differential on a larger scale, the study authors analyzed a nationwide insurance database of more than 1.5 million mothers who delivered babies between 2008 and 2021. They found that individuals 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 a year of giving birth.

These issues run deeper than just a few hours of lost beauty sleep. As almost any parent can tell you, sleeping during the postpartum period is tough to come by, and when pain or other issues keep you awake, sleep deprivation can quickly reach a point that impacts both physical and mental health.

“Sleep is often overlooked in postpartum recovery, but it is central to a mother’s physical and mental health,” said Moe Takenoshita, M.B.B.Ch., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scholar in the department of anesthesia at Stanford University Center for Academic Medicine. “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.”

The good news: support and solutions exist. Experts urge parents recovering from a C-section or planning to have one to talk with their doctor about pain management and sleep strategies early on. With one 32% of births happening via C-section, you’re far from alone, and resources from postpartum doulas to pelvic floor specialists can help you rest and recover. Learn more about what to expect during C-section recovery and when to talk to a doctor.