Can I drive home after C section if baby discharged today?

[Agrette0]

Hi, probably a daft question but I’m really not sure what to do and I don’t want to get in trouble.

I had my baby girl on Friday morning by C section, she came a bit early while we were up visiting family in Preston. We actually live in Great Barr (Birmingham area) and were only meant to be staying the weekend but my waters went suddenly on Thursday night.

Baby’s doing well and they’re saying we can be discharged later today. The problem is we’re quite far from home and I don’t really have anyone who can come get us. My partner can’t drive (we usually use my car) and my mum doesn’t drive either. Everyone’s saying wait a few days but we’re stuck in hospital and I just want to get baby home and settled.

I feel ok in myself apart from being a bit sore when I get up or twist, but I can move around fine and it’s an automatic car. It’s about a 2 hour drive mostly motorway (M6).

I know they say not to drive for 6 weeks after a section but is that like an actual rule or just what they recommend? I’d obviously take it slow and stop if needed.

Has anyone here driven sooner and been ok? I’m desperate to get home now and baby’s not sleeping well here at all.

Thanks x

Do you have any local friends who drive? You could pay the train fare for them to travel to you and then they could drive you back home in your car... (Do check out your respective insurance policies - insurers often allow to you add an additional short term driver (or car) for a small fee (assuming insurance isn't already covered)).

This. I doubt you'll be insured and a long drive home isn't a good idea even if you do feel you might be up to it.

I drove locally after about 2 weeks, but not fast motorway driving until after the 6 weeks. Could you get discharged back to your mums house, then work out the return journey from there.

Is there really no one you know who drives? Generally people are happy to help if asked, especially when new babies or emergency situations are involved, so I would limit to just asking family or close friends.

God no! Even carrying my bag was a lot of pressure I hadn’t been prepared for. you really don’t realise how much you use your core in everyday life.
Even when I was a passenger in the car after my CS, going over speed bumps felt awful and painful.

Aside from the fact that no, you had major surgery a few days ago, you won’t be insured.

I didn’t feel able to use a clutch or brake until 8-10 weeks after.
There are people who will drive you and your car home for you. Not sure on the cost though.

simple answer is no, no driving until Dr signs you off or 8 weeks.

You might feel ok but your stomach has been cut open and sewn back up a few hours ago. If you were to even brake hard you could do awful damage. My insurance didn’t actually specify when I was allowed to drive. I called them up and they told me it’s when I felt well enough. But many policies have stricter clauses. I felt fine the day after but didn’t want to risk driving.

Check with your doctor. Car insurance goes by what the doctors say and government guidelines. Car insurance isn't an immediate issue, it's only IF you get involved in an accident.

It really is case by case.

If your doctor says you're absolutely fine, then go for it but proceed with caution. If your doctor isn't sure and/or says they'd rather you didn't, then don't.

I know it sucks to be stuck in the hospital if you're otherwise fine and feeling well, but it really is not worth the risk. There is far too much at stake.

Lots of people are fine to drive in less than 6 weeks it's true - I was sailing a month after having a section and I think that put a lot more strain on my abdominal muscles and scared than driving a car. I was well healed and felt absolutely fine by then.
But there is a huge difference between 3 days and 3 or 4 weeks. I think that would be a terrible idea OP and I'd be very surprised if any doctor or midwife* *agreed with you driving so soon. Your body will still be diverting a huge amount of energy to healing and don't forget that you are at increased risk of DVT so sitting still for a long period of time, even as a passenger doesn't sound like a great idea. Plus how much sleep are you getting? Are you taking any painkillers that might affect driving? I don't think I would have been safe to drive that far with a newborn even without the added issues of just having had a section. Not to mention the fact that I was breastfeeding more or less non stop at that stage so would have had to stop for ages at every services. If you're formula feeding it would be logistically difficult too. What would you do if you got part way and weren't up to continuing or baby became really unsettled? I can appreciate that you are in a horrible situation want to get home but honestly, for lots of reasons this is a very bad idea.

You've just had a baby! Your partner should be sorting all this out, not you! Is there really nobody on either side of your family who can drive? Any friends who would do it if you paid them? Otherwise you'll just have to get a taxi. Hospitals usually have volunteer drivers - they probably won't take you all the way home but might take you to the boundary of their area to make the taxi a bit cheaper.

There's a big difference between recommending you don't drive until 6 weeks and feeling okay so deciding to risk it after a month, and doing it just days after giving birth!

Do you really want to risk your baby? Presumably you haven't had much sleep over the last few days, what if you get tired or dizzy? Not to mention seatbelt irritating your scar etc.

OMG just no.

Is there really no-one else that could take you home?

No you shouldn't as you won't be able to do a hard break without unpopping your stitches. This happened to my friend and she ended up going back to be stitched/stapled up. Also it invalidates your insurance if you have an accident. I'd rest the whole 6 weeks.

Dont drive.

Partner needs to get his shit together & learn how to drive or there will be some serious resentment building up over next 18 years of ferrying kid about.

Jesus of course you can’t drive. You’d be putting your self, your baby and total strangers in danger.

This, its about your ability to do an emergency stop.

Have you checked your car insurance? Where I am my brother had a health incident and his insurance provided a driver to drive him home as they were more than X km away from their usual residence.

💯
It's the fact you have an unhealed wound holding in all your guts and digestive organs!
As well as not being insured

No for the reasons everyone has said. Get a parent to drive you back home and then they can get a train home.

But also: baby’s not sleeping well here at all

Your baby is fresh out the womb. Being at home is not going to alter her sleeping habits.

Whilst the biggest barrier is insurance, I'm assuming due to you stating baby is small that you mean low birth weight? Whilst generally speaking there are restrictions around how long baby should be in a car seat, those times decrease the smaller they are.
We were advised the journey home (20 minutes) was the limit for my eldest who was lbw.

6 weeks is an arbitrary number. It’s all to do with you being able to do an emergency stop and stamp in the break. I doubt very much you could do that days after major abdominal surgery I’m afraid.

Ask your family to ask round their friends.

There will be someone who will be willing to drive you home in these circumstances if you cover the petrol money.

The logistics might be a bit problematic though.... Even if partner is a driving prodigy, it's going to take them several months to learn and pass their test. Probably a bit long to be hanging around away from home.....

No, please don't it isn't safe. You are recovering from a major operation.

My insurance said it was my decision on suitability to drive.
A short term rental ,/ airbb would be preferable though if you have the funds.