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Original poster

Driving after C section

28 replies

Notlongtogo82 · 22/06/2021 13:33

Hi everyone

Had DC 2 at the beginning of this month by planned C section (3 weeks ago today)

Am desperate to drive! Have recovered really well, stopped taking painkillers after 5 days, have been doing school run twice a day for dc1 since day 5, also slowly started walking on the treadmill from the end of last week.

I know the official guidance is 6 weeks, but I feel like I could drive now with no problems.

Dh has been off but goes back to work at the end of the week on night shifts, so it's more knowing if I need to go somewhere I can!

Curious as to when other people felt OK enough to drive after a a C section.

OP posts:
auldmaw · 22/06/2021 13:47

Hey, congrats on your new baby! I started to drive 2 weeks after my section. Like you, I recovered well, no issues, up on my feet quickly etc.... I thought I wasn't 'allowed' for 6 weeks but spoke to my GP who said as long as I could safely perform an emergency stop I was fine. Also checked there were no issues insurance wise.
I didn't do any long journeys as I live in a small town but I was completely fine. Good luck!

CornishGem1975 · 22/06/2021 13:50

Midwife said I could drive after 2 weeks as long as felt well. Insurance couldn't care less when you drive! I had hardly any pain after my section so was more than happy to drive after 2 weeks.

ComDummings · 22/06/2021 13:53

Just when you feel ready. Insurance companies mainly don’t give a shit but if you’re worried speak to yours. Then if you can safely do an emergency stop go for it.

FelicityPike · 22/06/2021 13:54

3 weeks for me.

Mumdiva99 · 22/06/2021 13:54

There is no official guidance.

You need to be in control of the car - so able to do an emergency stop etc.
You need to be comfortable that if you did do an emergency stop or had a bump that you wouldn't injure yourself further (eg, with the seatbelt tightening over the scar). So giving it a few weeks for everything to heal is a good idea.
Finally - if you are going out with the baby you need to be able to safely, without injuring you, put them into and out of the car seat.

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 22/06/2021 13:55

Two and a bit weeks regularly and once at one week due to an emergency! Like pps I checked with my insurance.
I also figured that an hours walk round trip on the school run was more likely to do me damage than a quick drive.

megletthesecond · 22/06/2021 13:57

I wouldn't. Your internal wounds probably won't be fully healed yet. Give it a while longer.

I've had sections and a hysterectomy and the post hysterectomy nurses were scathing about post c-section care (or the lack of it).

Liervik · 22/06/2021 13:58

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ for privacy reasons.

Moominmiss · 22/06/2021 14:09

2 weeks after my sections I was driving. My insurance didn’t care. My midwife just said to do it when I felt comfortable. Tbh I could have started after a week but just didn’t need to go anywhere lol

Garman · 22/06/2021 14:10

I drove 3 weeks after, I had no choice. You need to check with your car insurance.

Willwebebuyingnumber11 · 22/06/2021 14:11

2 weeks after the first, 10 days after the second and about 6/7 days after the 3rd. I’ve always had really easy, quick recoveries

OnlyCans · 22/06/2021 14:16

I drove after 3 weeks. I called my doctor and he said make sure you're safe to do so - emergency stop etc. I called my insurance. They said if you feel ok to.

An emergency stop would be incredibly painful so try to avoid.

I hurt at my scar for the first week but nothing too bad.

Fitforforty · 22/06/2021 14:18

You need to be capable of doing an emergency stop and ideally be able to do that without ripping internal stitches.

im2sad · 22/06/2021 14:19

I started back driving at 3 weeks - I spoke to the Dr first but my insurance company didn't care.

Singerleon · 22/06/2021 14:21

The ‘official 6 weeks’ is more of a myth…it is very much dependant on each individual’s recovery. My Obstetrician said I could drive when I felt well and able to do an emergency stop without hesitation. So around 3 weeks the first time and about 12 days the second time.

Ohshitiveturnedintomymother · 22/06/2021 14:24

With the emergency stop thing, I figured that I’d deal with it and cope afterwards. How often do you do one?

BikeRunSki · 22/06/2021 14:36

I know the official guidance is 6 weeks, but I feel like I could drive now with no problems

Who has given you this?

It’s down to your ability to drive safely and do an emergency stop. For me, this was 4 weeks after my first emcs. After the second , I could t even stand up straight for 9 weeks! My insurance company’s advice was just “if you can do an emergency stop”.

BikeRunSki · 22/06/2021 14:36

X post with many!

littledinokitty · 22/06/2021 15:20

I drove after 3 weeks. I called my GP and he said that if I was happy to drive then he was fine with that.

Chelyanne · 22/06/2021 16:10

I didn't drive for 6 weeks as dh was home that long so I didn't need to. I spoke to my insurance company though and they said I was covered so long as I felt physically able to drive. I felt fine twisting etc quite quickly after my last elcs so if I have one this time I would be happy driving sooner.

LisaLx · 22/06/2021 16:26

Does it not make your insurance invalid if you are in an accident as you are advised my medical staff not to drive?

Garman · 22/06/2021 16:30

That's why you need to check with insurance company, some will have a hard 6 week rule, others are fine with it, others just want a letter from gp saying you're fit to drive.

CornishGem1975 · 22/06/2021 17:03

@LisaLx

Does it not make your insurance invalid if you are in an accident as you are advised my medical staff not to drive?
Mine (LV) says "Yes, there is no change to your car insurance cover. Just check with your doctor that it's safe for you to drive. If so, there's no change to your car insurance cover and you don't need let us know."
JesusWeptonaBike · 22/06/2021 17:05

Speak with the GP and check with your insurance that you're covered.
I think the rule is as long as you're able to do an emergency stop you're good to go.
Congratulations!

JesusWeptonaBike · 22/06/2021 17:06

Oh and I drove after 2 or 2.5 weeks because I felt really well