C-Section Delivery: 4 Sleeping Positions That Are Comfortable After Surgery I BabyChakra

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

You need to be extra careful about your body after having a c-section delivery. This is because your c-section scar takes a while to recover and it’s best to practice certain safety measures and avoid exerting any kind of pressure on your incision site during this time.

Reconsidering your sleeping positions after a c-section delivery is one of the ways to help your surgical incision heal faster. It can also help you sleep more comfortably and help your body heal faster and return to its pre-pregnancy state.

Read on as we discuss more about safe sleeping positions after a c-section and tips to improve your sleep to boost recovery.

Importance Of Sleeping In The Right Position After A C-Section Delivery

Sleeping in the right position will keep you comfortable, and reduce any stress or pressure at the incision site. It also helps you get off your bed more comfortably when you have to feed your munchkin and reduces discomfort in your joints.

Additionally, the right sleeping position lowers the strain on your abdominal muscles, which further reduces the risk of harming the surgical site, and also enables better breathing while sleeping.

Why Is It Difficult To Sleep Well After A C-Section Delivery?

Some women may experience difficulty sleeping soundly after a c-section. This is because, during the postpartum period, your abdominal volume increases, which further affects your airways and leads to breathing difficulties.

These issues, combined with the c-section incision pain can make it difficult for you to sleep soundly during this time.

4 Best Sleeping Positions After A C-Section Delivery

Sleeping On Your Side

This is considered a comfortable sleeping position after abdominal surgery. It doesn’t put any pressure on your surgical site and reduces discomfort while getting off the bed. Moreover, sleeping on your side helps in maintaining optimal blood flow and it also improves digestion. Also, it is the best sleeping position to consider if you experience blood pressure problems.

Sleeping While Elevating Your Upper Body

For this, you need to prop your body with comfortable pillows. This will keep your upper body elevated and aid in sound sleep and better breathing, especially for those experiencing postpartum breathing difficulties, such as obstructive sleeping apnea (OSA).

However, if you don’t feel comfortable elevating your whole body, you can use pillows only between your knees and under your hips for a restful night’s sleep.

Sleeping On Your Back

This is probably the most comfortable sleeping position for the first few days and wells after your c-section delivery. Plus, sleeping on your back does not put any pressure on your incision site, thus keeping it safe. For added comfort, you may also use pillows below your knees.

The only downside of this sleeping position is the difficulty involved in getting out of your bed. Rather than sitting upright with a jerk, you can use the following log-roll method to safely get off your bed, without hurting your incision site.

Fully roll on your side before moving your legs out of the bed, and make sure to keep your knees bent.
Next, slowly use your arms to slowly push your body into a sitting position. Keep your abdomen relaxed while moving.
Get into a seated upright position before you stand up.

Sleeping In An Upright Position

If none of the above-mentioned sleeping positions work for you, you can try resting while sitting on a chair or couch, and use a lot of pillows to support your back. This temporary sleeping position can also make it easier for you to get off your bed to nurse your little one.

Tips To Improve Your Sleep After A C-Section Delivery

Taking adequate rest helps your body recover from the surgery quickly. We have discussed a few tips to help improve your sleep quality after a c-section and boost healing.

Create a relaxing sleep environment for yourself. If possible, follow a quick nighttime routine that helps you unwind. For instance, take a warm and soothing bath with essential oils, and then follow up with a skincare routine to relax.
Do light movements and exercises after getting your doctor’s approval. You can try light stretches or go on short walks to boost your blood circulation, reduce stress, and promote a good sleep cycle.
If the incision pain is keeping you awake, take the medications prescribed by your doctor for a restful night’s sleep.
Consider investing in a pregnancy pillow. It helps ease pressure points and reduces unnecessary aches, making it easier for you to sleep soundly.
Avoid having heavy meals, snacks, or caffeinated beverages right before going to bed as they increase the risk of indigestion, which in turn can cause sleep disturbance.
Consume a balanced diet for quick recovery. Include foods rich in vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation in your body and aid recovery. As your body heals faster, you will be able to sleep better.

Conclusion

Determining the right sleeping position after a c-section delivery is crucial as it helps protect your incision site and also ensures quality sleep to promote quick recovery and healing. Hence, for the first few days or weeks after your delivery, make sure to be extra careful of your surgical site and choose from the sleeping positions we discussed above.

Besides this, you can also try doing some light stretches to ease your bodily discomforts and promote good sleep.