Driving after an ELCS?

[gemmakate]

Can anyone tell me how quickly they drove after a csection? Mine was 2 weeks ago today and I feel capable of driving but realise no-one has mentioned how long I should leave it for!
I have an automatic car if that makes it any easier on the wound? I'm now not taking any pain relief and swelling has gone so can't see what problems driving would pose!
I've got lots of family and support nearby so don't actually need to drive... But it would be nice to venture out with my little man!

I drove 13 days after my elcs. I have an automatic too. Driving was easy, just be careful if you're lifting car seats or prams in and out.

Check you are insured and you should be fine.

It's about your ability to do an emergency stop without flinching or bursting your stitches. Your insurance company may have a minimum recovery period after abdominal surgery. Surgeons usually say 6 weeks. I have had 2 cs. First time I sat in my car on driveway and pretended to do an emergency stop after 4 weeks and I was fine; spoke to insurers and so were they. Second time, recovery was much longer. Did the same thing after 6 weeks (current insurers' lower limit) and couldn't do it - took me until 9 weeks to drive.

Give your insurers a ring and check your policy , mine were fine . I went out after two weeks on my own and did an emergency stop to make sure I was able and it was fine .

Congratulations BTW

I honestly can't remember but it was before 6 weeks - I made sure I had no pain or stiffness etc and sat in the car beforehand stamping on pedals to see if there were any odd twinges.

BTW, I rang my insurance company to ask if they had a specific timescale for cs recovery (after dire warnings on here about a 6 week ban!) and they were baffled as to why I was calling them. As far as they were concerned, unless my GP had specifically told me not to drive then they were fine. They pointed out that people have major surgery etc a lot for all sorts of reasons - it's up to them to be sensible about being fit to drive afterwards.

Supposedly 6 weeks and I did wait this long but tbh I felt like I could have driven much earlier. I also used it as an excuse to get out and walk everywhere which was good for my recovery but not ideal in this weather and/or if you live in the sticks!

I waited until 6 weeks too although the insurers weren't bothered when I phoned them at 6 weeks. Tbh, it was quite good being forced to take it easy. I found when I tried to do a little too much I went downhill very quickly - would have been stressful if I'd had to then drive home feeling shattered.

3 weeks, but I did have to speak to my doctors to get permission to drive, and I also had to ring the insurance company to tell them my circumstances (and that the dr had said it was fine to drive).

After my first section (emergency) about 4 weeks, after second (elcs) about 2 weeks and after 3rd about 10 days. I spoke to my insurance co. each time and they just said provided I felt fine it was my choice. I had an automatic and powered steering which helped and no issues with emergency stop (like a pp I had a practice at punching the brakes). To be honest if I was strong enough to pile a 4 yr old, 2 yr old and new baby carried out in the car seat into the car then I was strong enough to drive.

10 days for me.

I phoned my insurers and they were surprised I was asking their permission. They said I could do it whenever I felt capable, as long as my medical team were happy. I was at the doctors the next day for something else and me tip ed driving and they said they were happy if I was.

Ring your insurance company, then you know you're covered and the call will be on record if you crash and they try to wriggle out of it on CS grounds?

I had an ELCS almost 8 weeks ago and I felt confident enough to drive again at just over 5 weeks. It was fine if a little pulling on the scar for the first couple of times driving when changing gear. I think driving an automatic would be easier.

I had been told to try and leave it as long as possible because driving puts unnecessary strain on the lower abs. I only felt this strain very mildly when changing gear, so maybe an automatic would be okay in that case? I'm not aware of any pulling sensations now an forget about my scar when driving sometimes.

My OB said that I should only drive again when I felt confident enough to do an emergency stop and feel able to twist to look out of the rear window. I would say to you to be mindful that you don't overdo it, though. 2 weeks/14 days is still really early days. My GP advised at my 6 week check that I be careful until 12 weeks post-partum, as things are still healing internally during this time.

At around 3 weeks I felt that I had turned a corner in my recovery, then over did things walking and being active one day; I felt wiped out for a couple of days after and it knocked my confidence. I mean, just be careful that you don't get lulled into the 'I'm fine' 'oh fuuuuuck' schtick x

#1 2 weeks
#2 8 days

checked with my insureres they weren't at all bothed an were surprised that I'd even bothered to ask!

First was 10 days second was 2 weeks, I rang my insurance the 2nd time and they too couldn't understand why I was calling them !!

8 days. Babies were in special care and it was the only way I could get to them. Insurance company and GP were fine about it.