Driving after c section?

[babycar]

How long after your c section did you wait before driving? The midwife who discharged me from hospital said you're not allowed for a few weeks.

I've asked my car insurance who have said unless I've been told not to by a doctor or the DVLA it won't affect my policy.

But it all just seems a bit loose? Anyone know if there's any firm rules in place or is it just as and when I feel up to it and can safely do an emergency stop etc?

Thanks!

I had a section in March, and was driving again 3 and a half weeks later. However, I seemed to recover very quickly and I know recovery time varies hugely between women. I just ensured I could safely perform an emergency stop and comfortably move in my seat to check blind spots etc. I believe the 6 weeks is a guideline, but I'm not 100% on that.

I drove 9 days later, called the insurance to ask the rules and they said it was was my decision if I felt well enough

I drove after two weeks both times.

It depends on the insurer. I'm with Hastings and their website says there's no restriction, just follow the advice of your doctor or midwife. I was driving at 3 weeks post CS. My friend is with someone else (I can't remember who) and they specified 6 weeks. Have you looked on your insurer's website?

I had an EMCS and definitely didn’t feel up to driving for 6 weeks after. Then I had an ELCS, practically skipped out of hospital and was driving under 2 weeks later (insurance said it was fine).

If your insurance company doesn't specify an exclusion period then it's entirely up to you and when you feel ready to drive again. Consultant told me that I'd no I was ready when I felt able to stamp on the floor (to imitate an emergency stop) without hesitating or wincing.

6 weeks, I thought my recovery was okayish, but it took a while for me to be able to sit upright enough to drive

I was driving within 10 days no problem at all .

2 weeks, asked doc and was told that I could so long as I could manage an emergency stop.

I was driving a week after my c section.

I was told I couldn’t drive for 6 weeks after mine, but this was a long time ago! Don’t think I felt able to anyway, I reckon they sewed me up too tight, I’m a right old bleeder, and I was in agony for ages.

5 days after. I didn't tell the insurance company though. I felt fine.

Three weeks after my first, three months after the second! Most insurers say it is up to you to get cleared by a medic and all the doctor will do is ask if you feel up to it. If you feel you can move with sufficient urgency should you need to break heavily then it should be fine.

I felt much better driving than I did walking a couple of weeks after that’s for sure

3 weeks the insurance company said it was fine if dr did. We live in a village my husband was back at work and my mum who had come to stay also went home so really needed to drive. I recovered really quickly probably better than my forcep delivery with ds1 so felt ready.

6 weeks. Mine was an EMCS. I pulled some stitches at 4 weeks so was still in a lot of pain.

Within 3 weeks, no problems at all. Could have been sooner. My insurance company had no restrictions whatsoever.

2 weeks. Could have driven sooner but DH was off so no need. There is no set rule about when you can drive after any surgery, you just need to be able to do an emergency stop and be confident your driving is not impaired in any way. It makes me really cross when midwives perpetuate this nonsense about not driving for 6 weeks - all it does is lead to new mums getting lonely and at higher risk for PND.

I drove after 2.5 weeks - consultant told me if I could walk up and down the stairs without stopping or holding the banister, I was good to go. I was doing the school run from 4 weeks, lifting the babyseat in and out of the car myself as well as buckling up the toddler.

For both of my emergency CS I was driving 2 weeks later. The first time, I went to the drs who said if I could perform an emergency stop, I would be ok to drive. Second time, I just started driving again after 2 weeks as I knew I was ok.

I was VERY determined though as my babies were in NICU and I needed to drive to visit them regularly.

I spoke to my insurance who said that they didn't care as long as I felt well enough, which I did, so I was back at the wheel after I think 10 days this time.

First time around it didn't even occur to me to check and I was driving again on day 4 I felt absolutely fine but should have checked with insurance!!

My GP advised if I could hop on either leg (well both legs, can't work out how to say it!), I would be fine to drive.

I was driving 7 days post CS. I had a baby in NICU and needed to drive. My consultant advised me to contact my insurance company who said there was no issue provided I was up to it. I thought this seemed rather vague and my consultant gave me a letter confirming I was medically fit to drive.