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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

Driving and C-Sections

23 replies

trixibelle · 22/10/2008 22:44

How long are you not meant to drive for. People are telling me it used to be 6 weeks but now depends on your insurance policy - i.e. if you can perform an emergency stop, then you can drive??

OP posts:

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3in3 · 22/10/2008 22:54

Hi there,

I had a section on sunday (OUCH) and i don't remember anyone mentioning the length of time not to drive. I only know through friends that the recommendation is 6 weeks so thats what i'm sticking to.

I know you're probably eager to get out but you should milk it for every last ounce and let everyone or anyone chauffer you round, i know i'm going to

loucee · 22/10/2008 23:08

I had a c-section and drove after 3 wks. Only short local journeys but it felt fine. I asked my GP when I could drive and his response was "when I felt able to and to check my insurance first". I phoned insurance and they said I could drive when Dr said I was fit to (chicken and egg springs to mind!)

DOn't rush it, you don't want to hinder your recovery but likewise when you feel you can twist and turn to see blind spots etc then you should be fine. I don't see the emergency stop thingy as a guideline, if you were a passenger you would suffer same injuries whether driving or not?

LackaDAISYcal · 22/10/2008 23:12

that's right; it varies and depends on you being able to make an emergency stop without any hesitiation die to fear of pain. check with your insurance company if in any doubt.

I was behind the wheel after four weeks after my second section. The first I waited till my 6 week check and doc said I could've been driving much sooner.

Lubyloo · 22/10/2008 23:27

I had exactly the same experience as loucee. Insurance company just wanted DR to say it was ok and dr just asked me if I felt fit to drive. I drove after 2.5 weeks and was fine.

joyfuleyes · 23/10/2008 07:49

As soon as you are campable of performing an emergency stop, I was fine after a couple of weeks both times. My insurance had no guidelines at all. Not sure where this 6 week thing comes from.

greenlawn · 23/10/2008 11:43

This "6 week" thing you keep hearing really annoys me! I checked my policy this time, and there is nothing about notifying the insurer of medical conditions at all. And in view of the stitches I had after my vaginal birth, which were painful for a long time, I don't really understand why they would distinguish the two.

Last time, I phoned the insurer and was told it was up to the mw or dr to say I could drive. The mw told me I was fit to drive as soon as I felt I was ready! She suggested jumping up and down a few times, and said if I thought I could do that without wincing or holding back then I was ready.

Both times I've driven within 3 weeks and felt absolutely fine. And with 2 dcs to get to school as well as a newborn, needs must.

meep · 23/10/2008 11:45

I also dorve after 3 weeks (was desparate to get out and about again!). Phoned my insurers - they said it was Dr said it was okay - so got app with doc and made them examine me and put it in my gp records that i was fit to drive!

frazzledoldbag34 · 23/10/2008 11:51

Does it make a difference do you think if your car is an automatic (ie easier to drive with no clutch or gear change manouvring?)
Am wondering about an el c/s this time around but worried about the school / nursery run if I can't drive for 6? wks.

TuttiFrutti · 23/10/2008 13:19

I don't think the car being an automatic would make any difference. They only thing a c-secton might stop you from doing is an emergency stop, because straight afterwards you can't bend forward suddenly.

Having said that, in 20 years of driving I've only done 2 emergency stops...

I waited 4 weeks after the first cs, and 3 after the second.

Sycamoretree · 23/10/2008 13:25

Do you know what, they don't really care anymore. They just ask you if you feel you're ok to drive and if you say yes, then they are too. I waited 6 weeks with the first as I thought you were supposed to. Was driving within 2 weeks with the second (didn't want to before then)

jeanjeannie · 23/10/2008 14:13

I checked with my insurance company - they were 6 weeks after any abdominal surgery. Sure I could have driven but if I'd have had an accident and they'd found out then I wouldn't have been covered. Just check, then it's up to you. I definately felt up to it after 2 weeks!

HellStones · 23/10/2008 14:23

I had a ecs in Feb and was told to wait 6 weeks. Insurance company said to check with GP and she said 4 weeks was the minimum so I waited until then. I don't actually think I felt safe before then, despite having huge hassles getting dd to playgroup/nursery every day but everybody's recovery is different- I have friends who weren't ready a fter 6 weeks.
Seems to be a huge variation in advice!

Original poster

trixibelle · 24/10/2008 08:29

Thanks for all your advice everyone. I'm just worried about not being able to drive because I live in the country and have a toddler to amuse.

Will check with the hospital and my insurance just to confirm if they have any policies/recommendations.

Wish me luck!

OP posts:

bikerunski · 28/10/2008 20:54

I was in a similar situation. I drove after 4 weeks and did have to do an emergency stop. It worked, but was surprisingly painful! (and I have been told by all MW/HV?GP etc that I have very strong stomach muscles).

meglet · 28/10/2008 20:58

I have had 2 cs's. Both times I called my insurance company and was told that it was up to me when I wanted to drive again, I just had to feel comfortable and able to perform an emergency stop. Have a short drive when the roads are quiet first though.

I drove at 4 weeks first time and 6 weeks second time.

colacubes · 28/10/2008 21:23

I have had 2 c sections, and was told 6 weeks, I checked and was able to drive, I drove at 10 days, its no biggie, just make sure you are comfortable, and safe.

sazm · 01/11/2008 17:38

main thing is to check with your insurance as thats all it really affects,my insurance company is 6 weeks after surgery,but good to know if i did need a c-section i could change insurance companies and be able to drive (as i live in the middle of nowhere and have 2 kids to take to nursery!)

lecohen · 01/11/2008 23:09

Hi there,

There is no legal guideline and it really is much about your individual recovery. I drove after about 2 weeks and felt fine...obviously I was not fully recovered but sufficient for driving without any problems or restrictions.

Star1ightExpress · 01/11/2008 23:15

MW said 'you'll be able to drive in 6 weeks'

I said 'great, - is it you who will be issuing the license then?'

smallone · 01/11/2008 23:37

Took me just over 6 weeks to feel able to drive. V frustrating as I couldn't drive in last 6 weeks of pregnancy either coz I couldn't get behind the wheel! It is down to your personal recovery, I did hear that your insurance company can't declare you unfit to drive.

I based it on my ability to perform an emergency stop - you don't realise how much you use those muscles until someone cuts through them

babymt · 02/11/2008 09:29

I didn't drive until 6 weeks and tbh it was too early for me. I was feeling far too shakey and didn't feel safe. Luckily it wasn't with my kids in the car as if it had been I probably wouldn't have done it.

I think its totally up to the individual and probably depends on elective/emergency as it does on how quickly you heal. Also if you'd had any problems in recovery.

LolaLadybird · 02/11/2008 19:45

My insurance co said it was up to whether I felt able/ready. First time I waited 3 wks, second time just over 2 I think. Like one of the MNers above, I live in a little village with no public transport or shops etc and driving is a bit of a necessity. (Also, feeling I was able to get out - whether I actually did or not - was vital to my sanity ).

I read somewhere that if you can stamp your foot without pain then you'd be able to perform an emergency stop.

sazm · 03/11/2008 23:08

it is actually in my policy that you cannot drive for 6 weeks after surgery or the policy will be void.so therefore it is illegal.

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