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

[mrbloomrocks]

She has not been signed off to drive by the GP, she reckons it was more strain on her scar to walk everywhere . 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?

[echt]

Still don't get it. So are c-section passengers warned to hold the belt under the bump for six weeks?

[Pachacuti]

I was certainly advised to have something under the lap belt to protect the incision site for a while (I don't think a timeframe was specified).

[DropYourSword]

Is no-one else wondering how she took out her own catheter!?

It's held inside by a small inflated balloon type thing!

[Pachacuti]

As it was I had whooping cough just after my c-section and carried a pillow around with me for weeks to hold over the incision site when I had a coughing fit (which was a lot).

The whooping cough ruled me out of driving for a lot longer than the c-section.

(I don't recommend whooping cough just after a c/s, by the way, just in case any of you were considering it)

[MistressDeeCee]

OP I'm assuming this is your brother's wife. I'm sure if she's driving she knows what precautions to take to protect the incision site. & unless your brother's complaining and worrying about it to you - albeit I'd think its his wife he would discuss with and not you, and if she's still driving its pretty likely he's ok with it - then, what's bothering you?

I actually think 2 weeks is a little soon. I'd maybe just have a chat with her about being worried. But in a concerned way. Wanting to report her = you are a troublemaker.

[ItsNotATest]

It's nothing to do with protecting the incision site. You will do that instinctively, that is the issue.
You should only drive after any surgery when you can do an emergency stop, ie put your foot hard on the brake without any hesitation or reduced power. The way to find out is to actually try it.

[CairngormsClydesdale]

I drove 10 days after mine. We're not all lazy bed-bound wimps you know.

Oh, and I once drove home the day after abdominal surgery. 100 miles.

You're clearly really fucking wrong about this, why not give her some unsolicited advice about raising her baby? I'm sure she'd appreciate it.

[MrsMook]

In my area the check is at 8wks to time in with baby jabs. I'd had to stop driving 3 weeks before the birth as I thought ice-crusted roads and a bump rubbing the steering where were a bad combination (my road was covered for a month). Between that, recovering from very restrictive SPD, Carpal Tunnel, the EmCS being after a long labour and other complications following the birth, I was in no rush to drive. By week 5 I could walk to the local shops and catch a bus which seemed like bountiful freedom compared to the previous 8wks. My main concern was that driving was a way to facilitate straining myself by lifting the pram/ shopping bags etc, so I was happy to hold on until I felt fairly normal. The only awkward patch was when DS had a hospital ap at 6wks, but it was a time that allowed me to catch two buses there (DH was working away). If that hadn't have worked out, I would have driven. After the patience, the check-up was "are you OK?" and that was about it despite the catalogue of compications I'd had. (I requested more liver function tests as I wasn't happy about the previous result). The Dr seemed amused that I asked about driving as I thought you were supposed to wait to be cleared (but was aware that many don't) After my VBAC it was 4 wks before I drove between a combination of sitting and being able to lift my right leg enough to drive from the SPD. I was less capable of walking anywhere than I was after the CS.


My insurance company made me laugh. When the snow came down, they sent out a blanket email about preparation for driving in snow and safe driving. On it, they reminded people that they should declare if they had a bump. I decided not to declare my bump as I was about to give birth to it and wasn't driving it around

OP glad you were motivated by concern about her well-being. Not CS related, but is she aware that to much lifting and abdominal strain is a bad idea until your stomach muscles have come together (applies to any birth). My friend was very quick to resume normality and her fitness programme (she happened to have a CS but this isn't directly relevant) but now has physio many years later as her muscles are still too separate.

[PoppyAmex]

How the hell did she "clean her house top to bottom and ironed the day after she discharged herself from the hospital"?

The day after my c-section I got up, had a shower and that was the extend of my activities!

[TheDietStartsTomorrow]

If you're so concerned then offer to be driver for the next four weeks. You can pick up her groceries, buy nappies, do the school run, chauffeur to and back from doctors etc. then she wouldn't need to drive would she? And your concern would be addressed.

[GrassIsntGreener]

Hah! I live in a tiny village, no public transport and not a single shop or amenity.

Family and friends were great but I couldn't expect them to ferry me about for 6 weeks. Staying in wild have been very detrimental to my health.

What should I have done in that situation?

[Madmum24]

I drove about 4 days after my 2nd c/s. Walking was much more difficult, kids still needed to go out etc. Your insurance is only invalid ever when you have been medically told NOT to drive, so technically you can drive on the next day if you feel up top it. Actually I had 3 c/s and was given advice not to push a shopping trolley for 3 months, but never regarding driving!

[Christmasberry]

Do you not like your Sil? I drove after two weeks with my first two sections and three weeks after third as I didn't feel ready, she wouldn't drive if she didn't feel up to it.

[Sokmonsta]

I was told to check with my insurance company but the hospital cleared me to drive when I left the hospital 2 weeks after a section. Insurance company said its just the hospital covering themselves and they didn't need to know. They were happy for me to drive as long as I felt able to.

As it happens I didn't drive until 5 weeks after because I didn't need to.