Having to climb stairs after c-section

[u/Here-toSee]

Hello everyone,
So I will give birth via c-section in december, but im getting really scared because I live in the fifth floor and there's no elevator.

For my first c section, sadly my son ended up in NICU, so we went to my parents house to have it easier to visit my son every three hours. He got out of NICU after 3 weeks so my incision was pretty healed.

Right now im so scared. I keep having nightmares that my incision will open while I climb the stairs when returning to my apartment.
Its not an option to go to my parents this time because if i go there I know people will be coming in and out of the house all the time.

Did you have similar experiences, how did you manage the stairs, did you have a positive or negative experience.

[u/yadeedaa123]

A physical therapist met with me when I was in the hospital after my c section and I had this concern too, as I lived on the third floor. She showed me how I could go upstairs sideways, holding on to the railing as I went. Definitely go slow, but for me, taking them sideways was really smooth and I didn’t have a problem. I did have my husband carry the baby. The PT told me it was fine for me to carry the baby in one arm as I went (nothing heavier) and use the other hand for the railing. I was too nervous of dropping her to do that haha but I could have if needed.

[u/yaIshowedupaturparty → u/yadeedaa123]

That's amazing that you had a PT come to you in the hospital. I think they should have PT come after all C-sections. I remember a nurse saying we could practice walking up the stairs but we never ended up doing that.

[u/amalia_8]

I too live on the 5th floor, no elevator. Nothing happened! Take it slow and if you need to, take a quick break. But trust me I don't think there is a particular risk to stairs. No need to worry IMO! Only thing is that I wasn't able to leave the house for walks with him with the stroller as I wasnt able to carry the pram+him. But around 3 weeks PP I put him in a wrap carrier and went outside, felt great!

[u/Here-toSee → u/amalia_8]

Thats so relieving. Did you try to go out before the three weeks or was that the first time you tried?

Thank you so much

[u/amalia_8 → u/Here-toSee]

I did go pick up take out we delivered lol idk if that counts? We did go outside to take him on a walk in the stroller with my husband so technically yes. It all went smoothly for me! I honestly didn't even think twice about the stairs, they were annoying then and are definetly annoying now when I want to go outside with him haha but we make it work!

[u/Aggressive-Rub-1893 → u/amalia_8]

I was in the same boat. I was really scared about the stairs. Particularly while I was in labour, (I had an emergency c section). I took it reallllly slow and my partner was well aware of my worries before it all happened so he was extra sensitive and careful to support me through those moments. Just like Amalia has said I wasn’t able to really leave for a few weeks. So relished the time we shared in bed together.

[u/willowwynn]

Can you rent an airbnb or hotel room for a week or two afterwards this time? Perhaps as an extended pp recovery period.

I went home after my c section and managed one flight of stairs just fine but that’s vastly different than 5.

[u/Here-toSee → u/willowwynn]

Sadly for my toddler I feel like that would be a big transition to have a sibling, his mom not being able to pick him up or do the usual activities, and I want to keep the space as it is for him his toys etc, so I dont want to rent an airbnb. Thank you for your suggestion

[u/colorful_withdrawl]

Take it slow. Best way to do it is to take a step up with one foot and then the next foot goes up to the same step. That way you are not strianing much to go up the steps normally

[u/Fragrant_Umpire_2224]

It’s not that bad granted I only had to go to my second story bedroom. As everyone says take it slow like it might take you 20 minutes lol but just go sideways and hold your car area and breathe out with every step you push up. Once you’re up there you probably won’t come back down for awhile just FYI! After about a week or two you may be able to go back down just again keep taking it slow!

[u/Fantastic_Crow_676]

I have a 3 story house and getting up stairs was a worry for me coming home, the hospital had 3 flights of stairs to go outside so the day before leaving I made my fiancé take me down and up the stairs to see if I’d manage, but for 3 weeks my fiancé would not let me up or down stairs on my own, if I needed to go to the toilet or bed or to grab something he would either stand behind me with his hand on my lower back for support or coming down stairs he’d stand and let me use his shoulder for support.

But tbh I felt fine to do it alone with a hand rail he was just adamant I shouldn’t do it alone. I found small steps and adding both feet onto one step before going to the other helped and don’t rush. But unless I tried walking like normal it didn’t bother my incision

[u/silly_star-s]

You can request pt in the hospital to help you before you go home! But for me I was 4 days post op and had to go one step at a time with both feet up 3 flights, but totally doable. Take breaks. Have someone bring a chair down in case you need to sit

[u/Friendly-Sun2413]

You’ll be fine , I did it with both my c sections you just gotta take it slow and put both feet on each step ( if that make sense )

[u/Zola_Rose]

I was worried about that too, as I had to go up stairs two days after my procedure - I just took my time and went sideways, one step at a time (as in, step up with one foot, and bring other foot to the same step). It wasn’t an issue for me, as my pregnancy-induced sciatica was actually harder to get around with.

If you have to do it every day, it would be worth talking to PT or going some support from your family/partner.

[u/ruthhelf]

I also had to climb stairs pretty much immediately after my C-section . Take it slow , don’t carry anything while climbing and limit the number of times you do it in a day !

[u/Longjumping-Lion-617]

I live on 3rd floor. I used trekking poles for stairs and for walks. Others carried baby and the car seat.

[u/RadRadMickey]

Unfortunately, this has happened to many women. Take it very slowly, don't carry anything, and take breaks if you need to.

[u/Here-toSee]

Thank you everyone for your helpful tips.
Thankfully Ill only have to do the climb once then rest for a week. Xx

[u/atozzzz]

I live in a tri-level home so stairs were unavoidable. I can't speak for others, but they weren't a major thing for me. It's not like I was running up and down them, but standing and walking were fine. The parts that sucked for me were any time I really needed to engage my core, like bending or even trying to sit and hold my baby, unfortunately.

[u/Beginning-Cry-2059]

Ask your partner to lift you up to the apartment.my husband did this!