How long after a c-section did you...

[Bellabelloo]

...drive? Have a bath? Go swimming?

I am 5 days post c-section and am feeling fine. They made me get up and walk around and look after my baby 6 hours post the op, which was bloody painful (at the time I never thought I would be able to walk again!!), but the best thing as had minimal pain the next day, and could do everything normally.

I have no pain and have been walking the dog, running up and down stairs, so surely I should be able to drive now? I'd love to go swimming too (not quite yet!) but have been told I have to wait 6-8 weeks. Is that right? That's ages!!!!

X

[NerrSnerr]

Drive- 6 weeks. I was pretty bashed up after some complications so didn't want to risk it.
Bath- about 2 weeks, when I felt I could get out.
Swim- not for a while but I bled for about 6 weeks so wouldn't have gone before then.

[TellMeHowToLiveMyLife]

I think I drove after about 10 days - midwife recommend I check with my insurance to check I was covered first though (they couldnt care less).

I was swimming after about 4 weeks as I had to go in with ds1's swimming lessons. My incision was completely healed by that point. Obviously different for everyone though.

[welshweasel]

I drove after a week. Never have baths. Went swimming after 6 weeks but fine to do so as soon as your wound is healed over.

[Pallisers]

I drove after a week - possibly sooner now that I think of it.

I showered immediately but don't take baths. I'd go swimming as soon as your wound is healed. Before that I would be wary of infection (knew someone whose wound got infected). That said, I can't even remember when the wound healed - seemed like pretty quickly.

[FizzBombBathTime]

Drive- a week
Bath- a week
I don't swim

[CycleHire]

Don't drive too soon. I think it's important you have the core strength to do an emergency stop.

I think baths ans swimming is to reduce the risk of infection. Better to wait a bit longer.

You could call the hospital or ask your midwife or HV for advice.

[SoTheySentMeA]

My catheter was taken out at 12 hours so I had to get up to go to the loo at that point. Excruciating! But I was glad I did as it really did get much easier after that.

Drive - about 2 weeks
Bath - NOPE, only showers for me. First one was in the hospital, day 3 I think.
Swim - DS was 9 weeks old

[MiscellaneousAssortment]

I think all c sections don't heal the same. It was 10 days before I could make it out the house (the stairs to our door really didn't help), and 12 weeks before I could swim as wound wouldn't heal outside or inside for ages. I realised I kept overdoing it so had to really give it proper rest time before I could do stuff again.

If yours is healing and you have no other complications I'd go with what you feel you can do. Just be a little careful as if you do get infected or would splits, it puts you back, which is very frustrating!

[cookiefiend]

After my sending section I felt great as you do- but realised my core strength hadn't returned when I tried to close a large stiff velux window above my head- took a couple of months to be able to so it with ease again.
So even though you feel fine just be careful about things which might strain you.

For swimming it is infection so you need to be completely healed and also need to have stopped bleeding as I think whilst you still have lochia you are still prone to infection.

Congratulations!

[cookiefiend]

Second section. Not sending.

After my first section (emergency after a couple of days induction) I felt like shit for weeks.

[Roomba]

Drive - 3 weeks first time, 4 weeks second time.

Bath - About six months each time! I don't like baths. Showered within 24 hours both times though.

Swimming - About 4/5 months each time? It was when I felt ready to get out on my own and swim with a baby that delayed me, not being physically unable. I could have gone after six weeks maybe, if alone? Not sure I could have swum very fast, mind.

[2014newme]

Driving is all about emergency stops and your tummy hence you normally wait till after your eight weeks check

[fruityb]

I drove after 4 weeks I think. I didn't feel confident in stopping and also didn't want to strain anything lifting the car seat in and out, as I only have a two door car.

I had a bath about a week later, very carefully and my other half helped me out. I didn't have a lot of pain as such but sitting up left me stinging. My stitches didn't fully dissolve for a bit either.

I healed well and quickly but I made sure not to overdo it. I certainly couldn't run up and down the stairs lol but I was walking about working a few days, though quite a bit slower than before!

I don't swim but I also bled for about six weeks so wouldn't have been an option.

[Sparrowlegs248]

Bath - a few days, but I don't have a shower.
Drive - 4 weeks. Spoke to insurance whosaid to check with GP. Which I did after 3 weeks and he said leave it another week to be on the safe side. It's not just about you driving and doing emergency stops, but also what would happen in the slim chance of an accident.

Swim - ages but that's because I don't swim much.

I was stacking bales of hay 11weeks after though.

[toffeeboffin]

Drive - ten days.

Not had a bath yet, but want one. Will wait a couple of weeks.

Not keen on swimming in general.

I'm 3 and half weeks post section.

[mimiholls]

Drive- 2 weeks
Bath- maybe 4 weeks
Swim- 7 weeks
You can bathe and swim as soon as wound is healed. You can drive as soon as you're able to do an emergency stop, just check your insurance.
If you were previously fit and healthy you'll probably be ready to do things quicker than average. I also felt fine after a week and started doing almost everything again.

[Figgygal]

Drive 3 weeks
Don't do baths abd haven't swum yet but started my postnatal exercise class at 10 weeks (could have been 8 but there was Christmas holidays)