Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health New Study Reveals Overlooked Toll of C-Sections — More Pain, Less Sleep for Mothers
Nov 12, 2025
A new study reveals that C-section deliveries significantly increase postpartum pain and sleep issues for mothers. Over two-thirds of those who undergo the procedure report discomfort that affects their recovery. Notably, they face a 16% greater risk of developing sleep disorders in the year following birth. The conversation also highlights the risks C-sections pose to both mothers and infants, including infection and respiratory distress. Plus, strategies to reduce unnecessary C-sections are discussed, emphasizing the importance of supportive care and nutrition.
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C-Sections Drive More Postpartum Pain And Sleep Loss
- Cesarean delivery is linked to much higher rates of postpartum pain that disrupt sleep and daily activity compared with vaginal birth.
- Poorly managed pain creates a cycle of worse sleep and slower healing that compounds recovery problems.
Higher Risk Of New Sleep Disorders After C-Section
- Nationwide data show C-section mothers were 16% more likely to develop new sleep disorders within a year postpartum.
- Disorders include insomnia, sleep deprivation, and obstructive sleep apnea that emerge after delivery.
Surgical Birth Changes Infant Microbiome
- C-section alters initial microbial exposure, reducing bacteroids and bifidobacterium important for digesting milk sugars.
- This altered seeding links to higher risks of allergies, eczema, asthma, and modest metabolic differences in children.