C section and stairs

[Ana1242]

Hi

I'm having a planned c section. I live in a flat, second floor, no lift.I'm worried the steps will hurt / do damage when I get home. Im not worried about the pain it's more I don't want to set my recovery back. Has anyone else been in a similar situation?

Once I've got home I'm not planning on leaving the house for a week or two/ until I feel ready so I can rest properly to avoid the stairs. The stairs themselves aren't very steep so I'm hoping that will make things easier.

I understand that moving around is very important for recovery and luckily the flat I'd quite spacious, but I'm not sure whether I should be getting out sooner for walks to aid recovery.

I plan to ask these questions when I see the midwife, just wanted to get advice from ladies who have been through it.

Many thanks

I must have been able to get up stairs as I lived in a ‘raised ground floor’ flat up a flight of ten steps when I had a CS. Things I remember as being painful were getting up off a low bed or chair, and it was impossible to do the movements involved in stepping over the edge of a bath, which was a drag, as our only shower was over the bath.

I recently had total abdominal hysterectomy (same vertical incision as they do in a c-section). We live in a two storey house and I had to walk up and down stairs at least twice a day as soon as I got home. You won’t do any damage - just take it slowly. Moving around is important for healing, as well as the rest. As the other poster said, it’s more painful getting up out of a chair or bed, than walking.

I dont think you’ll do any damage. Lots of women who have c sections live in houses and go up and down stairs multiple times a day. I had 2 sections and stairs never caused any issues

2 sections and abdominal hysterectomy experience. My houses had stairs and I was up and down several times a day once discharged. Take it slowly and hopefully you have someone with you to carry the baby while you take the stairs.

Hi OP,

I had a CSection and quite honestly, I couldn’t even tell I’d had it after a day or so. I spent ages researching how to get in the car/ walking and then it was just completely fine. I did keep on top of paracetamol. The only time I experienced pain was a few hours after the section where I had quite a sharp sensation when trying to go to the toilet, but generally you’ll be up and walking within a few hours unless there is a reason not to. You just have to know your limits but your body will tell you that. If you’ve been managing stairs ok at full term you’ll be fine following a section.

I went up and down the stairs as normal after both of my sections. I have 2 flights in the house and half a flight from the street to the front door. It’s fine. Mobilising is really good for recovery. It’s twisting/bending motions and heavy lifting (nothing heavier than baby) that you want to avoid. Stairs where you can keep your back straight are fine. I would try to get out for short walks sooner if you’re up to it, the fresh air and daylight does wonders when you’re sleep deprived, but only if you have a partner who can carry the baby and the pram down the stairs. Also keep up with your painkillers and take them on a schedule to get ahead of the pain, don’t wait until it starts actually hurting, and that way you’ll find moving about so much easier which in turn helps with a quick recovery.

I lived in a townhouse at the time and definitely had to navigate stairs to go to bed and the bathroom etc.

I can't remember it being a problem.

I went up and down slowly, one step at a time, and this was fine, not even painful.

I came home on day 2 and found it really hard to step into my house. My husband had to help me.

But made it up the stairs for bed.

Thank you, for all the messages. Really appreciate everyone taking the time to reply. Sounds like the steps won't be too much of a problem and I'll just need to listen to my body and take it easy.

Well my bathroom is upstairs as is bedroom and I had no issue well no choice. It was fine.

I lived 4 floors up with no lift when we had our baby. Just take rests if necessary after each flight of stairs (or whatever feels best for you). I also didn't carry the car seat with baby in if possible. I'd carry him and car seat separately to balance the weight and left the pram in the boot of my car even on days we hadn't been anywhere with the car. I'd just stop by the car, pop the pram in the boot and carry baby up the stairs. It was still less tiring than climbing the stairs when pregnant. Good luck you will be ok.

PS make sure to move as early as possible after your section! That makes a big difference to how painful it becomes. The longer you don't move the more painful it is when you do.
Source: multiple c sections

This 100%. People slow their recoveries down by thinking they can't do anything. No, you aren't going to be going for a run in your first few weeks, but getting up to make cups of tea or a sandwich- yes, getting into the shower-yes, stairs- yes. I was out for a slow little walk to the nearby park within the first week (day 5 or 6 I think). The fresh air and being out with your baby when you can will do you good, and being mobile prevents other surgery complications like blood clots. Of course we all recover at different paces, don't push too hard but don't take the the sofa and not move again. Go about your daily self-care as normal (shower, food, drink, going to answer the door for the presents that will arrive etc.)

I agree. Carefully and slowly, keep moving around from day 1.

I think if you stay curled up, it heals that way, so the next time you straighten out to walk, you have to kind of unheal it again. That's my reasoning