Mothers who give birth by C-section are more likely to experience excruciating pain that affects their day-to-day life and develop debilitating sleep disorders, concerning new research has suggested.
Presenting their findings at the Anesthesiology 2025 annual meeting, the researchers are urging doctors to make women aware of the risks, and refer expectant mothers to sleep specialists if sleep issues persist once they’ve given birth.
‘Sleep is often overlooked in postpartum recovery, but it’s central to a mothers’ physical and mental health,’ Dr Moe Takenoshita, an expert in anesthesia at Stanford University Center for Academic Medicine and study lead author said.
‘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.’
In the study, the researchers asked over 40 mothers about their pain and sleep after childbirth—21 of which had vaginal births, 11 who has scheduled c-sections and six whose c-sections were unplanned.
More than two-thirds of the mothers who had c-sections reported severe pain that affected their sleep and day-to-day lives, compared to just 8 per cent who gave birth naturally.
Looking at insurance data from more than 1.5million mothers who had their babies between 2008 and 2021, the researchers also found that those who had C-sections were 16 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with a new sleep disorder—such as insomnia, sleep deprivations or sleep apnea—within a year of giving birth.
This highlights the need for new mothers, especially those recovering from C-sections, to be properly informed about pain management and given effective treatment plans to help manage symptoms and improve sleep, Dr Takenoshita said.
New mothers who give birth via c-section are more likely to suffer severe pain and develop sleep disorders than those who have a vaginal birth
He added that new mothers can also try implementing exercise, sleeping when their baby sleeps, avoiding caffeine and alcohol late in the day and practicing deep breathing exercises to help boost sleep at home.
Around one third of births in the US are C-sections, whilst around one in four women in the UK has a caesarean birth.
But rates of the procedure are rising globally, with figures particularly stark in the UK.
In 2025, 42 per cent of women gave birth via C-section—with experts putting the upward trend down to obesity rates, more women having their babies later than previous generations, and obstetric norms.
But experts are concerned that women are not being made aware of the risks that come with the procedure—which women can chose to have for non-medical reasons.
Dr Takenoshita cautioned: ‘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,’ he added.
Poor sleep has long been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer stroke and infertility.
Poor sleep has long been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer stroke and infertility, with new mothers typically getting less sleep regardless of delivery method
Nearly a quarter of women require emergency Caesareans, according to NHS Digital
Even sleep deprivation in the short-term has been shown to take its toll—from irritability and reduced focus, to increased risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
A C-section is considered a major operation, which involves making a cut across a woman’s stomach and womb, that carries a number of risks.
As such, the procedure is usually only carried out if it’s considered the safest option for both the mother and child.
It may be recommended as a planned procedure—where the risks have been identified and considered before 39 weeks—or carried out in an emergency if vaginal birth is deemed too risky.
Doctors may recommend this if the baby is in the breech position, the mother has a low-lying placenta or pregnancy-related high blood pressure, or the baby is not getting enough oxygen and nutrients meaning they need to be delivered immediately.
However, women can also opt for a c-section for non medical reasons. If after discussing all the risks with a medical professional, if a woman feels that vaginal birth is still not a viable option for them, they should be offered a planned caesarean, the NHS website states.
Recovery also usually takes longer than recovering from a vaginal delivery and possible complications can arise including infection, blood clots, excessive bleeding, damage to surrounding tissue and organs, and temporary breathing difficulties for the baby.
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