Question for c/s moms

roselln2 · April 2011

Due to placenta previa, I will likely have to have a c-section. I was talking to a friend, and she commented that I'll probably have to set up a bed downstairs since I won't be able to walk up the stairs. I had assumed that by the time I came home from the hospital and with pain meds, I could manage stairs. What was your experience with stairs after your c/s? Thank you!

CleanQueen · April 2011

I had no problem...we don't have a bathroom on the main floor, so I eventually had to make my way upstairs. It wasn't that bad. I just took it slow!!

Artsyk · April 2011

The first c/s I had I did stairs the first day home. This time around I did stairs maybe two days after I got home, but that is just because my oldest daughter wasn't here so I didn't have to go up/down them.

CarrieLiz · April 2011

I had no problem with stairs.

The best advice I got (from my BIL's gf who is an OB/GYN) was to take the pain meds in the hospital as often as they'll let you. You'll feel good and then not think about pain meds, but then the pain sets in and you don't want to have to wait for a nurse to bring the meds and then wait for them to kick in. I stopped taking anything for pain five days after my c/s and I'm sure it was because I was able to rest in the hospital because of taking the meds consistently and feeling OK.

kcisthebombdotcom · April 2011

I did stairs the day I came home from the hospital. As long as you limit the times you go up/down the stairs you'll be fine.

holly321 · April 2011

Steps bothered me for a few days. I think if you only went up and down there to go to bed, then I wouldn't worry about it, but if you would have to be back and forth a lot, I would set up a bed down stairs.

RubineLime · April 2011

I've had 2 CSs and by the time I was home I could do stairs perfectly fine. Codeine is your friend.

jenna3016 · April 2011

I could manage the stairs. What I could not tolerate was lying down, and getting up.

I finally figured that I could sleep propped up on the sofa, surrounded by pillows, with my feet up on the coffee table. I could not get myself out of the recliner... the pain was so bad. It was even worse getting out of bed.

I did over do it by carrying laundry down stairs. I think if you go slow, and take it easy, you should be fine.

I only took 1-2 percocets, and mainly stuck with the other pain med (400 mg Ibuprofen) that I was prescribed.

Keep in mind you're not supposed to lift anything heavier than your baby. My husband had to go with us to Baby E's first couple of appointments. I couldn't drive, or lift E in the carrier.

alli&pat · April 2011

I've had a C/S for both kids. My doc's request is that I limit stairs as much as possible for the first week or two - so get up the morning and try to completely get ready and come down stairs in order to (ideally) stay down all day and just go back up for bed. That never happened and I felt fine - but I did try to put some thought into going up/down and try to ask others to run and get me things more.

JessiRaye · April 2011

I know many people say they couldn't go up and down stairs but I never had a problem. With my first baby we lived in a 3rd floor apartment and I had no trouble going up and down those stairs. I now live in a 2 story house. I had my 2nd and 3rd c-sections while living here and no issues. (Bedrooms are upstairs so I was up and down often.)

hkmum · April 2011

Stairs were no problem for me, I was doing them the first day home. I was absolutely religious about taking all my pain medication as prescribed and I'm sure that helped.

Wufroggy79 · April 2011

I was able to do the stairs no prob, but the doctor will tell you to limit your trips up and down the stairs until your first check up (mine was about 1 1/2 weeks after we left the hospital.

Hyfagal · April 2011

It wasn't an issue. I was just told one stair at a time. No jogging upstairs two at a time.

ronitoswife · April 2011

You could probably do stairs, it will just be really slow. If you have a bathroom on the first floor I would set up down there for the first week home or so. For me it was just easier and trust me, after a c-section easier is what you will want!

dNoodle · April 2011

My doctor told me to avoid stairs if I could for 2 weeks at least. I didn't have a problem with that, because we have a bathroom on both floors, but if you can't avoid it, just go slow.

Babyville · April 2011

I just had my c-section two weeks ago, so am technically still in the recovery window! My doctor said stairs were fine as soon as I got home, just to take it easy. The only thing he specifically said "no" to, was driving for at least two weeks.

Last night I comfortably slept on my side for the first time since my surgery! Hooray!

Good luck with your delivery Smile

Strawberrywine · April 2011

I've had 3 c/s. You will be fine with stairs particularly if it's a scheduled c/s. Don't limit your use of the pain meds. No need to be a hero on this one.

It would be helpful to have drivers lined up for the first 3 weeks. To have a set of clothes, diapers, wipes, etc downstairs and upstairs. Otherwise you'll be fine.

Good luck w/ your delivery!

You may want to check out some c/s birthplans. It sounds silly but I've had very different experiences w/ my c/s and a birth plan helped me to feel like I was a participant in the birth. I had no regrets w/ my final c/s.

jenna3016 · April 2011

Strawberrywine:
I've had 3 c/s. You will be fine with stairs particularly if it's a scheduled c/s. Don't limit your use of the pain meds. No need to be a hero on this one.

Mine was unplanned. I have heard that scheduled c-sections seem to go better than emergency.

Good luck.

liladelphia215 · April 2011

I climbed stairs, just very slowly. I had no choice. I live in a 1 1/2 bath row home. One bathroom is on the top floor, the half bath in the basement. I don't have one in on the living floor.

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