Can I drive myself to and from hysteroscopy ?

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I am reading so many different accounts online about this.
partner is working away at time of appointment. I am using family to do school run (as this is when appointment time is). Am I being unrealistic to then drive myself to and from hysteroscopy (no general).
Is there an answer or does it just genuinely vary person to person so I won’t know I can’t drive home until after the event ?

I think it does vary greatly from person to person but I had a horrible experience both times, so painful and felt very faint afterwards, I would have been in no fit state to drive home. I was quite shocked the first time as I had been expecting it to be much less of an ordeal, so it was lucky my husband had driven me anyway. The second time I was prepared and he took me again and waited.

Well, I did - twice. It's a very simple procedure, and I can't think of any reason not to drive.

How far away is the school from the hospital? Can you not get dropped off earlier than needed to then give family time to do the school run or hang around at the hospital till they can collect you?

I have done a few times. I suppose it depends if you have a backup plan, just in case you feel a bit dodgy

What have your doctor / hospital advised? When I had one (admittedly a few years ago now), I was advised not to drive - and I felt so sore afterwards I probably wouldn’t have been able to focus safely on driving anyway.

I did and had to stop in my way home to throw up, so I’d have a back up plan if you can

Everyone's different op. E.g. ive read on here people have been shocked to hear others had one without a GA or sedation, whereas mine was no worse than a smear so I can't imagine needing a GA/sedating, and I had biopsies at the same time.

I did feel a bit crappy afterwards and had some pretty spectacular cramping, not sure id have wanted to drive but would have been fine if I had to.

I think it depends - I had one recently and they did give me Penthrox (gas and air) as my Hysteroscopy was also surgical along with investigative (products to be removed). I definitely wasn't in a state to drive afterwards. However, if you just go with the standard pain relief of paracetamol/ibuprofen you'd likely be ok. Good luck OP x

I drove myself there and back as there was no alternative but, oh my, it was awful! The most painful experience ever. Apart from childbirth. But to be honest, I’d had an emergency c-section 10 years previously due to a cervix that refused to budge even half a finger tip to let the baby out, so not sure why they thought it would do anything else on the day. The procedure was abandoned, I was scraped off the ceiling (where I’d shot with the pain) and then I very shakily drove myself home.

I was very lucky to have someone with me who could drive me back - there's no way I'd have been able to concentrate on driving. If you really haven't got anyone who can take/pick you up, I'd consider a taxi. I know someone who had a day procedure and he said he just asked the taxi driver to allow him time to ease himself into the car.

Hope it goes ok, OP.

I think it really depends on your experience. I had one that failed because of a stricture and was fine to drive after if a bit uncomfortable. The procedure was then done under GA and obviously I couldn’t drive after that.

I drove home but had to have a coffee in the hospital cafe first! It was very very painful for about 5 seconds but I think I was a bit in shock as I had no idea it would hurt more than a smear test. Having said that, I would drive again if I had another.

It really really isn’t a simple procedure for a lot of people.

I did. They asked me to wait afterwards for 15 minutes to be sure I didn't feel faint, then I drove home. I was one of the lucky ones who didn't find it painful though.

It seems to vary from person to person and time to time.

My first one was no worse than a smear. I went in my lunch hour and went straight back to work afterwards.

2nd one recently. Very painful and I went dizzy when I stood up. Had to spend half an hour on a reclining chair with a cup of tea and some biscuits. Before I dare drive home.

My DP came to my 1st with me, more because I was petrified about outcomes (my late-DH was diagnosed and treated at the same hospital and I was catastrophising what I might have) than concern over driving.

I went to my 2nd (6m follow up, issues resolved etc) and drove myself.

For me, they were not much different to a smear, I also had biopsies and a Mirena fitted at my 1st.

BUT some women experience awful pain, and you don't know which you will be, or even if the same procedure will affect you in the same way, so a backup plan would be a good idea.

I found extremely painful and I wouldn’t have been fit to drive home. I would really advise having someone else with you that can drive.

Shows everyone is different.
i had one that was abandoned as it was very painful but I was fine to drive home once the probe was out of me. Dr was great and said it was about an equal number of woman who had the procedure in clinic and those women who required a GA.
Mine was completed under a GA at a later date.

I’d suggest it’s ok as a plan A, but you need a solid plan b, and actively ask yourself if you feel fit to drive.

One mid ground between plan a and b is to have some wriggle time and plan on chilling in car with a book for half an hour afterwards and see how you’re feeling at that point if you’re a bit wobbly immediately afterwards

I really appreciate everyone taking time to respond with their experiences and it really does tally with what I’ve read online that it varies so much.
i think considering everyone’s responses I will take public transport to the hospital and then a taxi home - this seems to be most sensible plan just in case I’m not safe to drive.
thanks again all.

I think it's a very individual thing. I asked my friend to drive me, as I had read horror stories about other people's experiences, and I think the hospital might also have recommended not driving. As things turned out, the experience really wasn't that bad for me and I could have driven myself without any problems. But you won't know until you've been through it, so I would have a back up plan, personally.

It is a very personal thing and depends an awful lot on the individual .
I went on my own as I didn’t know what to expect, I wish I was better informed , it was a truly horrible experience one that I’d never repeat without general anaesthetic , I felt faint and sick and the pain was awful . The nurses wouldn’t let me leave for about 1/2 hour afterwards and made me sit with coffee and biscuits, they kept checking on me until i felt able to drive .
if you could I’d take a friend or family with you for support .