Really 6 weeks till I can drive after Caesarean?

[rania]

So the Dr said 6 weeks but please tell me I misheard him! Hubby goes back to work next Monday and I will be lost.

[PumpkinZulu]

6 weeks is correct

[*Beema*]

I started driving about 3 weeks after mine, my OB said as long as you can break heavily without wincing in pain then you can drive. I know lots of others who have driven much earlier

And my insurance company didn't have an issue with it either.

My first drive I just did a short one and had no problems.

Also keep in mind that all the lifting etc rules apply, so I wouldn't go lifting a big heavy pram in and out of your car, if you have to buy some shopping, small light bags etc

[Nai]

Check your insurance policy but yes 6 weeks is the norm. Basically you have had major abdominal surgery and if you are forced to brake suddenly in an emergency you may not have the strength to do so or you may rupture your stitches and bleed.

I didn't drive for 6 weeks until I had my Ob check up and got the all clear but I am in a position where I can walk or take public transport pretty much everywhere. In the grand scheme of things 6 weeks isn't a long time provided you are able to get all of your necessities. If you are very isolated then obviously you will need to come up with an alternative.

[Jennifer13]

My ob told me I was fine as soon as I could emergency brake (practice in the driveway). My insurance company said as soon as I have my ob's okay. I could do the braking after two weeks.

[TaRhLi.]

I was driving 3 weeks after both my c/s's, my Ob was happy so long as I had no pain or discomfort braking. Check with you insurance company though as some have restrictions on post c/s driving timeframes and also if you had a general instead of a spinal.

[{sarah}]

My midwife told me that although you might be able to brake without any pain, the internal incision is still healing & you need to be careful not to cause any damage internally.

[DaintreeDream]

I was a good girl after my first CS and waited the full 6 weeks.

I was driving within the first week of my second CS... I felt I had no choice as DD was 1 hour away in hospital however I did so without a problem, I recovered very well.

[LizLemon]

For both C-sections my OB told me two weeks. I felt physically fine then. My insurance company was happy as long as I had my doc's say so. Assuming your insurance company is of the same attitude if your doc says six weeks you're probably not covered until then, even if you feel fine to drive.

[RhiChiChi]

Yeah, it is the 'norm'. I actually drove at around 3/4 weeks after my c-sect

[starangelk]

I waited........I rang the insurance company and they said as long as the Ob says it's okay then they are cool. The ob's advice was to wait 6 weeks. To be honest, I was happy to wait, it was nice not to drive and I have a 4wd so even getting in and out of it was a bit of a pain. I am walking distance to everything though so that definately made it easier as I didn't feel housebound at all.

[Just Me]

So the Dr said 6 weeks but please tell me I misheard him! Hubby goes back to work next Monday and I will be lost.

It is hard. Is there anyone around that you can ask to drive you sometimes?

You can drive earlier if you check with your insurance company and doctor but there are lots of other issues besides just driving - like if you need a pram, getting that in and out of the car can be really physically straining, even getting your baby in an out of the car can be hard work physically and put pressure on your scar. I'm not saying not to drive if you feel up to it, but before you go out, think about the other things you will need to do while you are out and make sure that you feel up to it.

I hope you can work something out

[Me+him+bub]

i was studying full time over an hour away and drove to my uni classes 5 days after mine, it wasn't comfortable but not painful, its up to you! I would just check your
policy for car insurance.

[lissy]

I waited the 6 weeks coz it was made clear to me even if I felt fine it was major surgery & if you do damage its so much worse. My GP told me at 3 weeks your something like 15% healed but by 6 weeks you're closer to 50% healed. Also no mopping, vacuuming or anything that twists for 3 months & no heavy lifting for at least 6 months (not sure if you knew this).

[Jennifer13]

I waited the 6 weeks coz it was made clear to me even if I felt fine it was major surgery & if you do damage its so much worse. My GP told me at 3 weeks your something like 15% healed but by 6 weeks you're closer to 50% healed. Also no mopping, vacuuming or anything that twists for 3 months & no heavy lifting for at least 6 months (not sure if you knew this).

Oh I drove but no way was I doing any real work for six weeks - but I'd have happily taken even longer!

My ob said braking quickly was not like lifting or straining and wouldn't do the same kind of damage, because of the area involved.

[rania]

Sounds like I might have to make a call, don't want us to be uninsured (of course don't want an accident at all!)
I just can't see staying in the house for 3 more weeks. We're keen to get out and adventure.

[Jaycee]

No mopping etc for 3 months? Really? I was doing this around 4 weeks after my c/s, was hanging clothes on the line a week after as well!

[LizLemon]

I waited the 6 weeks coz it was made clear to me even if I felt fine it was major surgery & if you do damage its so much worse. My GP told me at 3 weeks your something like 15% healed but by 6 weeks you're closer to 50% healed. Also no mopping, vacuuming or anything that twists for 3 months & no heavy lifting for at least 6 months (not sure if you knew this).

Wow oops - I've been doing everything including heavy lifting from about 2.5 weeks when DH went back to work...