Side-lying with pillows is the position most women land on, and how you get out of bed matters as much as how you lie.
A pillow between the knees and one hugged to the tummy supports the scar and makes turning over less sore. The move to learn is the log roll: roll to your side, lower your legs, push up with your arms, and skip the sit-up motion that pulls on the wound. NHS recovery guidance says to take painkillers regularly rather than chasing pain, and NHS postnatal leaflets advise resting when the baby sleeps and accepting help at home for the first two weeks. Set up the changing and feeding kit within reach of the bed.
What to do
Common questions
How do I sleep after a C-section?
Sleep after a caesarean is broken by the baby and the wound, so position and logistics matter more than usual. Many women find side-lying most comfortable in the first weeks, with a pillow between the knees and another hugged against the tummy to support the scar. Back sleeping is fine too, but getting up from flat on your back is the painful part: roll onto your side first, drop your legs off the bed, and push up with your arms rather than doing a sit-up, which strains the wound. Keep everything you need for night feeds and changes within arm's reach so you are not hauling yourself up more than necessary. NHS recovery guidance also says to take painkillers regularly in the early weeks rather than waiting for pain to wake you, and NHS postnatal advice is to rest when you can, including an afternoon rest while someone else holds the baby. If headaches follow a spinal or epidural and do not settle with painkillers, or pain at the wound gets worse instead of better, call your midwife or GP. Sleep normalizes as the wound heals over the first six weeks.