EMCS Recovery

[MeadowHay]

If I were to unfortunately need an emergency C-section, how soon are people usually able to go up and down stairs? I live in a third floor flat with no lift so I'm a bit concerned about being trapped in the flat for awhile if that happened, my other concern is regarding the hospital discharging me, are you usually able to go up stairs when they discharge you? I have this fear of being discharged from hospital but not being able to get into my own flat if I couldn't go up three flights of stairs, would I potentially need to stay in hospital longer? I tried to ask the MW about this the other day but she didn't really answer my questions although she did seem to indicate she would expect me to be housebound for awhile initially. And how long would it take before I could go up and down the stairs and carry baby at the same time? DH only has two weeks paternity leave and cannot take any more as he's a student and due on a hospital placement then and they had no obligation to let him take any at all so there's no way it can be extended.

hi, try not to worry. Everyone is different but I had an emcs with my son, we lived in a 3rd floor flat as well (no stairs) i managed fine, just took it really slowly at first. The hospital should give you pain killers and recommend gentle exercises you can do which will help. Good luck with your baby x

24 hours, NICU was on a different floor and the hospital is Victorian...I was not getting in that lift on my own. Sideways and slowly worked for me.

We live in a house with 3 floors (4 sets of stairs) and when I came home at first I planned to sleep in the ground floor playroom, ended up in our bedroom on the top floor because I needed my proper bed and didn't have any issues. I'm sure I carried ds up and down on my own in the first two weeks even though dh was on paternity, I just took it slowly. I know everyone varies but I was pushing a trolley in Costco within a couple of days.

I'm having an elective in a fortnight and intend being up and about as soon as possible again.

Stairs should be absolutely fine after 24/48 hours. I found getting in and out of the hospital beds the hardest part tbh.

About 48 hrs and you should be fine with stairs. I can't remember the first time I carried my baby up them, but it was days not weeks, as I was pretty much back to normal by then.

2 days after I was walking up and down stairs at home. Carrying ds not long after. Within 2 weeks I was pretty much back to normal and drove at 3 weeks (notified insurance and they were fine) the

Thanks everyone, that is really reassuring. Obviously hopefully I won't end up with a CS anyway! But still good to know I won't be trapped inside for ages after if it did happen.