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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you report SIL who is driving 2 weeks after c-section?

165 replies

mrbloomrocks · 06/09/2013 20:26

She has not been signed off to drive by the GP, she reckons it was more strain on her scar to walk everywhere Confused. That's not the point though is it? Her insurance wouldn't be valid, if she has an accident she could tear her stitches?

Who would I report it to anyway? The local police?

OP posts:
vitaminC · 06/09/2013 20:30

I had no idea driving licences were suspended by doctors as a result of giving birth! Wow!

I thought it was just a recommendation to patients not to drive too soon, to allow the scar to heal (and as a way of discouraging patients from going out and about too much, too soon, and overdoing it)!

Really, OP, do you have nothing better to do than telling tales on new mothers? Shock

melliebobs · 06/09/2013 20:30

No I wouldn't as it depends on your insurer. I'm with TESCO and they said as Its something I didn't have to declare to the DVLA it's not a problem. But before I got behind the wheel I made sure I was comfortable to emergency stop

WillSingForCake · 06/09/2013 20:30

Why would you report her?

tooearlytobeup · 06/09/2013 20:31

I was driving 2 weeks after a c section with the full knowledge of both my gp and insurance company.

Insurance just wanted to know the gp said it was ok, and gp only wanted to know i could perform an emergency stop without hesitating due to pain and lift the baby in their seat without discomfort. How do you know the gp has said no?

stealthsquiggle · 06/09/2013 20:31

My GP said it was up to me to decide when I could safely drive.

It was a lot less than 6 weeks, that's for sure.

Mamafratelli · 06/09/2013 20:32

Good grief give her a break. The advice is so she doesn't split open her scar when doing an emergency stop.

On second thoughts please call the police and see what they say when they stop laughing

Mintyy · 06/09/2013 20:32

Quite. Who would you report it to? She risks doing herself an injury if she has to do an emergency stop.

Perhaps you had better find out who she insures with and report it to them eh?

Wibblypiglikesbananas · 06/09/2013 20:33

I suppose you don't know the ins and outs of her surgery. I know that's the recommendation but here in the US, it's down to individual Drs and their discretion so she could well have been told she's safe? Wouldn't it also depend on her insurance company and policy wording? I wouldn't interfere to be honest - and like you say, who do you report to? You'd just end up looking vindictive.

OnTheBottomWithAWomensWeekly · 06/09/2013 20:33

Report her to who? She can drive whenever she likes, what the fuck is it to you?

HicDraconis · 06/09/2013 20:33

My advice to people following LSCS is that they should refrain from driving if they find it painful to do an emergency stop. They should also check with their insurance company to make sure they're covered.

How do you know you SiL hasn't called & clarified insurance cover? If she can do an emergency stop painlessly what's to report?

If she can't do an emergency stop due to pain then she's putting other road users / pedestrians at risk however.

FeedTheBirdsTuppenceABag · 06/09/2013 20:33

Goodness i think its a bit of an urban myth the six week drive ban, we called our insurance and they couldn't have given a monkeys! They said whenever it was fine by me!
Lots of times on here women who have had one have said they drove much quicker.
I am sure after such a huge operation she wouldn't be able to physically drive if she wasn't ready.

Therefore I think she is ready and YOU should butt out.

Smile
overmydeadbody · 06/09/2013 20:33

You really need to find something better to worry about!

PavlovtheCat · 06/09/2013 20:33
mykingdomforasleep · 06/09/2013 20:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

vitaminC · 06/09/2013 20:33

Oh and as this is AIBU: YABVVU! HTH!

honeybunny14 · 06/09/2013 20:33

Dont know why u would do that and shes just had a baby im abit shocked :O

TwoMuchTwoYoung · 06/09/2013 20:34

Yeah report it, that would be a lovely kind thing to do.
I drove after 3 weeks so I could visit my sick baby in scbu.
You sound like a knob

SoulTrain · 06/09/2013 20:34

I drove four weeks after mine, why the hell do you care anyway?

It's not a decision for the GP to make, as long as your insurance company agrees, (which mine were more than happy to) then it's fine.

Why are you trying to make an already challenging time worse for her?

MollyHooper · 06/09/2013 20:34

You don't like her much, do you?

quietlysuggests · 06/09/2013 20:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ll31 · 06/09/2013 20:34

Wow op, I think the phrase get a life, was mare for you....

VivaLeBeaver · 06/09/2013 20:35

You don't have to be signed off by your gp. Your insurance will be happy as long as you feel you can perform an emergency stop.

I was driving two weeks after and could happily have performed an emergency stop. You're not at risk of splitting your stitches either.

AuntieStella · 06/09/2013 20:35

I'd you drive when under medical advice not to, you invalidate your insurance.

After a C-section, it always used to be 6 weeks (imposed by the insurers). Now, it's a bit more flexible, if a doctor has given OK to drive.

Driving without insurance is indeed an offence. And driving whilst medically barred is dangerous - just think of the possible consequences if you cannot perform an emergency stop.

If she has medical clearance and therefore valid insurance then there is no problem.

Calloh · 06/09/2013 20:35

Driving post c-s is almost always fine. Why would you report?

If you can walk to the car I don't really see why you would be unable to put your foot down on the brake pedal. Usually you just have a phone consultation with your GP and then tell your insurance company

Even that seems ridiculously annoying to me.

AmpullaOfVater · 06/09/2013 20:36

CALL 999 NOW! They will send a helicopter to track her movements and then set up roadblocks etc.