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Original poster

mums via C-section - how long after did you start driving short distances (up to 20 minutes)?

29 replies

notsolilKel · 15/02/2007 13:44

Hiya

I'd like to know how long actual people had to wait before they felt ok to drive after a section.

I'm asking because I'm due for a section at end of May and am unsure how soon afterwards I'll be able to take DS to nursery. He only goes 1 day a week and it's not far but if I really won't manage it I may have to give up his place.

For the first 2 weeks DH will be at home so he can do the drive. Weeks 3-6 tho it'll just be me and either mum or MIL neither of which drive in the UK.

DS will be 15mo so unable to climb into car himself - another worry...

Thx for any advice on this, it's doing my head in!

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bundle · 15/02/2007 13:45

if it's not far can't you walk?

Original poster
notsolilKel · 15/02/2007 13:46

whoops I shall clarify. It's a 15-20 minute drive depending on traffic. So no, can't walk, unfortunately...

OP posts:
WigWamBam · 15/02/2007 13:57

The usual advice is six weeks, although I know one women who was driving again within four weeks. She checked with her insurance company who said that she needed to be checked over by a GP as she would otherwise only be classed as fit to drive after six weeks if she didn't have a doctor's note.

I found I couldn't put my foot down hard on the floor for nearly three months though, so wouldn't have been able to drive because I couldn't have braked efficiently.

I don't think you should be even considering it at three weeks ... if it's only once a week, can you stretch to a taxi to take you there and back?

Otherwise the nursery should keep your son's place as long as you keep paying for it, surely?

Waswondering · 15/02/2007 13:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bundle · 15/02/2007 13:58

I wouldn't drive that early. can your dh not drive him on the way to work?

mojomands · 15/02/2007 14:02

I started driving at two weeks - insurance company and doc were ok with this. I can manage to lift my baby plus carseat into car but not sure I'd manage a 15 month old! Also it depends on you really - everyone recovers at different times - my friend didn't feel ready to drive even by week 6!

buktus · 15/02/2007 14:02

ds1 2 weeks later
ds2 3 weeks later
dd 9 days later

mumfor1standfinaltime · 15/02/2007 14:05

You probably won't feel like driving that early. And certainly won't/shouldn't be lifting that early either.

I was learning to drive whilst I was pg and had a test booked for after ds was born (optimistic I know!). I had an em c section and there is no way I could do a couple of lessons or the test. I phoned the test centre to cancel the test. They said they had no restrictions on me taking the test which was weird in my eyes!
They told me that I could do test but I had to check with my instructor to see if I was covered under the insurance.
(So it could be worthwile making sure you would be insured)

To sum up, I wouldn't drive that early!

Emskilou · 15/02/2007 14:12

Dont want to be all doom and gloom but you may feel ok in yourself to drive but you have to think about the other drivers, there are a lot of tossers on the roads and as careful as you are they can cause accidents, a minor bump into the back of you can do a bit of damage and hurt like f**k after a c section. I had a e/cs and didnt drive for 6 weeks ish. Not only that you really will not be able to lift your 15 month ds in and out of the car, my dd was 14 months when ds was born, I lifted her at 3 weeks post cs and I was in agony and caused heavy bleeding and other damage and would not wish that on you.

I do sound like a grumpy old cow dont I?!?!? Just dont want you to hurt yourself that's all

Original poster
notsolilKel · 15/02/2007 14:20

all this is helpful, thanks...

OP posts:
FioFio · 15/02/2007 14:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

snugglebumnappies · 15/02/2007 15:36

I drove after 7 days, didn't have much chose, we were living in rented accom miles away from my son's school as our builder had badly let us down and we had no roof on our house, DS is autistic and the turmoil of everything else had been enough for him. I did phone m insurance company and they had no restrictions and told me I could drive as soon as I felt well enough (have to say I was out of hosp 48 hours after my c/s anyway, at my request so prob recovered more quickly than most).

mammaduck · 15/02/2007 15:41

I waited the 6 weeks as was suggested by my GP, midwife, HV etc.

It's really whether you can perform an emergency stop without it really hurting as obviously that throws your body against the lap strap which is right where your wound is.

I'd be inclined to ask if other mums could help out taking your elder son to nursery until you're happy to drive. I think it's important he should carry on going after your 2nd is born.

If you think you don't know any mums in your area, just post a request on MN. I bet you'll get loads of offers for lifts! Good luck!

3LoveHeartsAndNoMore · 15/02/2007 15:41

hm...I did wait the 6 weeks they tend to say...because at the time, it wasn't an issue anyway.
However, you can drive earlier then that, BUT you have to be able to do the Emergency Stop, wihtout hesitating due to fear of pain....otherwise Insurance mihgt not cover you. Also, probably worth informing the Insurance company and see what their policy is!

ProfYaffle · 15/02/2007 15:45

I waited 6 weeks last time purely down to insurance requirements. This time round advice from the hospital is to refrain from driving for 4 weeks, insurance company is happy to let me drive after 3 weeks if Dr is OK with it.

Ladymuck · 15/02/2007 15:46

I was fine driving regularly at 4 weeks after both sections.

In fact with ds1 I had to drive earlier than that as my mother was meant to drive me to a dr's appt and turned up in a 2 seater car (for me, her and ds1!). She wasn't covered for my car so I drove.

BigHotMama · 15/02/2007 16:27

I waited 6 weeks as had an infection of the wound from trying to walk too much too soon, dont attempt to do too much as its a major operation and you need to look after yourself....good luck

eidsvold · 16/02/2007 05:18

i was driving after three weeks with my second section but had to be signed off by GP before car insurance would cover me.

However with my first section - our UK insurance would not let me drive for 6 weeks.

However I also had a dd who was 2yo and had special needs and wasn't walking so lifting at times was necessary - she weighed about 12/13 kgs at the time. I had no one at home to help during the day once I came home from hospital as dh was at work.

Arnica and tea tree I am sure helped my second section heal much quicker than my first.

Highlander · 16/02/2007 15:11

signed off by GP at 2 weeks. No probs. GP said to try a practice emergency stop before driving properly.

McDreamy · 16/02/2007 15:12

3 weeks

Nip · 16/02/2007 15:15

I was advised 6 weeks, however i phoned the GP who said if i felt ok - then i could. I also phoned my insurance and they also said it was ok. I drove at 4 weeks and was fine.

blueshoes · 16/02/2007 15:17

2 weeks.

Hels67 · 19/02/2007 16:18

I waited 6 weeks, just to be sure, but the insurance company said they'd be happy when the GP was happy

Aloha · 19/02/2007 16:20

Definitely within three weeks both times. No problems at all. And I still lifted my three year old a lot as he is dyspraxic.

Hulababy · 19/02/2007 16:24

I waited the full 6 weeks. Insurance compnay siad it was fine when GP gave the go ahead. HV just said wait 6 weeks so I did. i felt physically able to drive before this but HV kept insisting it was in case of emergency stops, etc. being needed.

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