How long after c-section...

maddie80 · November 2011

until you can drive, and go up stairs and basically don't need someone around to help?

I had a c/s with DS 4 years ago, but I remember I pushed myself way too hard in the weeks right afterward, and I think that really slowed down my recovery.

I'm trying to figure out what's reasonable for DH to take to be at home (and how long I'll need him at home, since I'll have DS as well, who will need to go to school, etc.) 2-3 weeks? He could take up to 4, but it's all unpaid, so we are trying to find a good balance.

pepomntpat · November 2011

I could do the stairs alone right away, but I wasn't comfortable carrying DD up and down for about two weeks. I didn't drive until 5 weeks, but I probably could have...just didn't need to...plus I had a stick shift which just adds to the difficulty.

ChiTown Bridget · November 2011

I would say 2-3 weeks. I was lucky and my husband was off from work for 3 weeks. I waited until then to drive since he was home but I was using the stairs after a week and a half.

DMacG · November 2011

I was in the hospital for 6 days after my c-section, and then I had my DH home for another week to help me out. I was able to do things myself pretty much after that. Although I think it took me like a whole month before I started feeling really comfortable.

cottonlily84 · November 2011

My dr told me I could drive as soon as I quit taking the narcotics. It was up to me. Personally the c/s hurt really bad and I had a hard time just getting up and lying down for 2 weeks afterward. DH went back to work while DD was in the NICU and I was still in hospital with her but he took the following week (week 2) off when we were at home. I would get some kind of help around the house for 2 weeks at least, espeically since you already have a LO.

Raffes484 · November 2011

I was making at least 1 trip up and down the stairs the first day home and driving within a week, but I only took ibuprofen after a couple days in the hospital.

DH went back to work within a week of us being home both times and will this time I'm sure.

lwogsland · November 2011

for me, I was able to do stairs a few days after my c-section..but tried to limit them as much as possible.

drive 1 week after my csection, per my dr..but wasn't entirely comfortable doing so..so only took really slow not busy roads

and, dh stayed home for a week..and i've been fine on my own since then

mamajanna28 · November 2011

I was fine to drive and take care of the baby by myself at 1 week pp. I just had to take it easy and rest when I needed.

sherbieface · November 2011

My doc told me 4 weeks to drive, for stairs, and to lift anything heavier than her. That seems a tad excessive to me, so I'm going to start doing small trips ( just around my neighborhood) closer to 2 weeks. We don't have stairs in our house, and the lifting thing I'm just trying to be smart about.

capulet · November 2011

I wasn't given any guidelines about stairs or driving. I started doing stairs as soon as I got home, and drove for the first time at 12 days PP. For the first three weeks or so I had DH, my sister, or other family with me nearly all the time, but I could probably have gotten by alone before then.

Kb2011tx · November 2011

I wasn't cleared for anything until after my 2 week pp check up with my Dr. No driving, no climbing, no lifting anything heavier than my baby. I felt fine after about a week but the first few days were pretty rough.

sheremy · November 2011

I was told not to drive for 2.5 weeks. My doctor said you need to be able to slam on your brakes without any discomfort. I was able to walk up stairs right away, but I tried to minimize my trips up the stairs so I had DH help a lot the first couple weeks. By week 3 I was feeling pretty good and by week 5 i was back to normal and even went to the gym.

RayRay007 · November 2011

DH took one week off, and then worked half days for the next week or so. I didn't drive any where by myself until about 3 wks pp. I could do stairs right away, although I limited my trips up and down to once a day for a week or so. I could do basic housekeeping (dishes, cooking) a week pp. Take as much help as you can get

belljason92 · November 2011

The doctor told me I could drive after 3 weeks if I didn?t feel any pain or discomfort while driving. Ideally you should take a break from household chores for at least 4 weeks ? that was hard for me, since I felt fine, though I did make sure I didn?t lift anything heavy until 6-weeks pp. Start walking short distances ? maybe initially around the house, but don?t overdo it. If you feel tired or think you?ve done too much, just sit back and relax. Your body will tell you how much you can and cannot do. Don?t risk injury because this will only prolong c-section recovery!

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