A woman in a light blue tank top and black pants is lying on a bed with pillows positioned under her legs and across her abdomen. She appears relaxed, with her eyes closed, demonstrating a comfortable sleeping position. The text overlay in bold, purple and white font reads "Sleep COMFORTABLY! C-Section?" The setting includes a bed with a blue blanket, a bed rail for support, and a bedside table with a cup and organizer.

How to Sleep After a C-Section or Abdominal Surgery

Abdominal Surgery, Bedroom Medical Equipment / By

Recovering from a C-Section, appendectomy, abdominoplasty, or other abdominal surgery can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to something as essential as sleep.

With a tender incision and limited mobility, finding a comfortable position may seem impossible—and yet, proper rest is critical for healing!

In this post, I’ll walk you through the best techniques, tools, and tips for getting comfortable and sleeping soundly after a C-section. We’ll talk about sleeping positions such as on your back or side. By the end, you’ll feel more confident managing your recovery and setting yourself up for much-needed rest, even during the toughest early weeks.

Please note: Before we begin, you need to make sure you follow all the instructions and warnings provided by the manufacturer.  The steps below are only to provide guidance with installing or assembling equipment, but you should always follow the warnings and instructions provided by the manufacturer and always speak with your medical team before adding new equipment to your routine.

Before we get too far into the discussion, my advice is primarily going to focus on recovering from a C-Section, however, this advice generally applies to other abdominal surgeries such as an appendectomy, or abdominoplasty. Of course, every surgery is unique and you should ALWAYS follow the advice of your surgical and healthcare team.

Preparing Your Sleeping Space For Post C-Section or Abdominal Surgery

If you’re reading this before your C-section or your abdominal surgery, you have the advantage of getting your sleeping setup ready in advance. If you’re already home and recovering, don’t worry—these tips and tools are easy to add.

Here are my top recommendations for creating a C-section-friendly sleeping environment:

Bed Rail: A bed rail is a game-changer. It provides stability for getting in and out of bed and reduces strain on your abdominal muscles. Look for one that’s soft, easy to install, and compact enough to avoid obstructing access to essentials like your nightstand or a bassinet. Bonus: Many bed rails have a handy pouch where you can keep items like your phone or water bottle within arm’s reach.

A black adjustable bed rail featuring a sturdy metal frame with a curved handle for secure gripping. The rail includes a built-in storage pouch for convenient access to personal items and an adjustable safety strap for secure attachment to the bed frame. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT
Bed Rails for $72.99* on Amazon

Wedge Pillow: Elevating your upper body can significantly reduce strain when sleeping on your back. I recommend a wedge pillow because it provides stable, customizable support. Some wedges even go under your mattress if you prefer the feel of your regular bed surface. If a wedge isn’t an option, you can create a “pillow mountain” by stacking pillows, but be prepared for some shifting during the night.

A woman reclines comfortably on an adjustable wedge pillow set, featuring a breathable mesh fabric with Velcro straps for customizable support. The set includes a soft, rounded neck pillow for added comfort. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT
Bed Rails for $39.99* on Amazon

Bed Ladder: A bed ladder is a simple, affordable tool that helps you sit up in bed without engaging your tender abdominal muscles. It attaches easily to your bed frame and allows you to pull yourself upright with minimal effort.

A woman lying on a bed demonstrates the use of a leg lifter strap to assist with moving her leg. She is wearing a gray button-up shirt and is holding the strap's handles to lift her leg. The strap, designed for mobility assistance, is shown separately at the top of the image to highlight its full structure. The bed features a plain white sheet, providing a clean background for the demonstration. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT
Bed Rails for $14.99* on Amazon

Pillows for Support: Pillows are your best friends during recovery. Use them to elevate your legs, support your back, or cushion your abdomen for gentle pressure. If you have a body pillow or pregnancy pillow, keep it handy—its shape is perfect for post-surgery support.

Sleeping Positions After a C-Section

Finding a comfortable sleeping position after a C-section depends on your body and your level of pain. I’ll walk through how to sleep in two of the main sleep positions, back and side, and talk briefly about a third.

1. Sleeping on Your Back

Sleeping on your back is often the most comfortable position during the first few days after a C-Section or abdominal surgery. First, you want to use a wedge pillow or create a “pillow mountain” to elevate your upper body.

A woman sitting on a bed demonstrating how to setup a bed wedge pillow. She is wearing a light blue tank top and black pants. The bed features a neatly made blue blanket, and there is a beige pillow sitting on top of a pillow wedge at the head of the bed that woman is pointing at. The environment is a cozy bedroom with wood paneling and simple decor. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

Holding onto the bed rail with one-hand, use the log roll technique to lay down onto the wedge pillow.

A woman lying on a bed. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. Her hand is resting on the assist rail, knees are bent in right angles, back is straight, and she is demonstrating the log roll technique. The bed features a blue blanket, white pillows, and a bedside table holding a cup and organizer. The room has wood paneling, giving it a warm and cozy ambiance. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

Now, I recommend placing a pillow under your knees to reduce strain on your lower back.

A woman reclines in a bed with her legs elevated on multiple pillows. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. The setup demonstrates a method for elevating legs for comfort or post-surgery recovery. The bed has a dark blue blanket and a cushioned headboard. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

If you’re dealing with postpartum swelling, elevating your legs slightly higher can help reduce fluid buildup.

For extra comfort, you can place a pillow over your abdomen for gentle support. Nursing pillows work great for this purpose.

A woman rests in bed with her legs elevated on pillows, wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. She has an additional pillow placed over her abdomen, and her arms are resting on it. The setup demonstrates post-surgery recovery positioning. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

2. Sleeping on Your Side

Sleeping on your side is an option when you feel ready. It is important to take it slowly and only sleep on your side when you feel ready.

Positioning is different than sleeping on your back. To begin, I recommend adding a pillow between your knees to keep your hips and spine aligned.

A woman demonstrates adjusting her position in bed with a pillow positioned vertically between her legs. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. Another pillow rests on her abdomen, and she gestures with her hands. The bed has a blue blanket, and a bedside table with a water bottle and items is visible to the right. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

Another thing I recommend that is especially helpful is a a body pillow. A body pillow positioned next to you is great, because it prevents you from rolling onto your back or stomach unintentionally.

A woman reclines in a recovery position on a bed, demonstrating adjusting her posture with the help of pillows. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. One pillow supports her legs, while another rests on her abdomen. She gestures to a body pillow to her right that she is using to prevent her from rolling over. The bed features a blue blanket and is situated in a cozy room with wooden paneling. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

Next, hug a pillow to support your upper body.

A woman demonstrates positioning herself on a bed using pillows for support. She is holding a pillow against her chest, wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. The bed has a blue blanket and a beige headboard. The room features wooden wall paneling, creating a cozy atmosphere. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT

Start by rolling gently onto your side using the log roll technique:

  • Keep your shoulders, hips, and knees aligned.
  • Use your legs and arms to roll your body as one unit, avoiding any twisting at the torso.
A woman is turning in bed using the log roll technique, supported by multiple pillows. Her knees are bent in a right angle and her back is straight. She is wearing a light blue tank top. How to Sleep After a C-Section - EquipMeOT
A woman is lying on her side in bed, supported by multiple pillows. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. Her legs are cushioned by large white pillows, while she hugs another pillow against her chest. She is resting forward but remains by a body pillow behind her back.

If you’re not ready for full side sleeping, try a semi-side position by leaning slightly back onto the body pillow.

A woman is sleeping on her side in bed, supported by multiple pillows. She is wearing a light blue tank top, black pants, and white socks. Her legs are cushioned by large white pillows, while she hugs another pillow against her chest. She is resting lightly back against a body pillow.

3. Sleeping on Your Stomach

Unfortunately, sleeping on your stomach is not an option during the early weeks of recovery. The pressure on your incision and the discomfort of postpartum breast tenderness make this position impractical and unsafe. Most people find they can return to stomach sleeping after 3-6 weeks, depending on their healing progress.

Should You Sleep with an Abdominal Binder After a C-Section?

If you were given an abdominal binder at the hospital, you might wonder if it’s okay to sleep with it. While binders can provide comfort and support during waking hours, I don’t recommend wearing one to bed. Many surgeons advise against it because binders can shift during sleep, potentially irritating your incision. Give your body a break from compression while you rest.

Using a Bed Ladder After a C-Section

A bed ladder can be invaluable for getting around in bed after a C-Section or abdominal surgery. It works by attaching to your bed frame and then the length can be adjusted to fit your position in bed. Then, you pull on the rungs of the ladder to help you sit-up or move around, giving your abdominal muscles a break.

A woman in a light blue tank top and black pants sits on a bed with a blue blanket, holding onto a black bed ladder. She has a concerned expression and is looking towards the camera. Several pillows are stacked behind her, and a bed rail is attached to the end of the bed for support.

If you want more details about the bed ladder, I have a full post and video about it here.

Final Thoughts

Recovering from a C-section is tough, but with the right tools and techniques, you can find comfort and get the rest your body needs to heal. Remember, every recovery is unique. Listen to your body and adjust your sleeping setup as needed.

Best wishes on your recovery!

*all prices are at the time of publishing

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