Tips to Keep in Mind While Climbing Stairs After a C-Section

A major abdominal surgery, a C-section requires several weeks to heal. Your doctor will definitely advise against climbing stairs for a week or more. You should not delay your healing by injuring yourself, so you are advised to follow simple tips so that your recovery happens faster.

Can You Climb Stairs Post a C-Section?

Doctors advise against climbing stairs for a few weeks after the surgery, as the body requires time to heal completely. If at all you need to climb stairs, it should be done with great care and caution. It is best to limit trips up the stairs. It is also essential that you do not carry anything heavy while going up and down. Doctors have, traditionally, advised women to avoid stairs after a C-section.

How Many Days After a C-Section Can You Climb Stairs?

Any major surgery requires time to heal completely. After spending four to five days or longer in the hospital post-delivery, it is obvious that your body needs time to recover. Doctors advise rest of at least six weeks for mothers who have given birth via C-section, as there remains a risk of the incision opening up, and causing a painful infection. When to use stairs after a C-section, then, is obvious – after a few weeks post-delivery.

Cautionary Tips While Using Stairs after a C-Section

The postpartum period is a crucial phase, and special attention has to be paid to the new mother. Every new mother needs time and care to heal and recover from the delivery process, more so in the cases of C-sections. Here are some important tips healthcare providers give new mothers for climbing stairs:

1. Seek Help

You must not hesitate to ask for help while climbing up and down the stairs if it is absolutely necessary when you are still recovering from major surgery.

2. Hire a Postpartum Doula

You must have your family members nearby when you have to take up the regular day-to-day chores while you are still healing. In case this is not possible, do not hesitate to hire a postpartum doula who can help you with all kinds of tasks.

3. Do Not Be in a Hurry

Be slow, and take your time – you must never be in a hurry to start climbing stairs or lifting heavy objects too soon after major surgery as it can cause injuries and slow down the ability of your body to heal quickly.

4. Take Support of a Handrail

While climbing up or down the stairs, you must hold the handrail, as dizziness can prove to be dangerous for recovering moms.

5. Avoid Poorly-Lit Staircases

You must ensure that the staircase area is properly lit so that there are no chances of tripping and falling.

6. Seek Expert Advice If You Trip

You must not ignore minor incidents like tripping or slipping off the stairs. The doctor should be consulted to rule out any internal injury after the C-section.

There are ways to tell if your C-section incisions have caused an infection, which would warrant you to visit a doctor immediately:

• You see redness or swelling on the site of the incision
• You experience bad-smelling discharge from the vagina
• You have a fever of more than 104 degrees F
• You experience heavy vaginal bleeding
• Your incision area is hurting more than usual
• You experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, or unusual pain in the breasts

Climbing stairs after a C-section is safe as long as you are careful and comfortable. If your body is too frail to take the exertion of climbing stairs, you must not force your body to do it. Some cautionary steps can easily help you recover faster to revert to normal life after a C-section.

Resources and References: Healthline

Also Read: How to Sleep after C-Section?