To Drive or Not to Drive?

johnnys june

I guess this is for moms who already has their c-sections or who had multiple c-sections. When am I able to drive? I remember my doctor said no driving but I can't remember if there was a time limit or just because of the pain meds. I haven't taken anything more than ibuprofen in a week.

jno712

With my son, it was 2 weeks post-partum.  

Jacquelyne88

ive had 2 c-sections now and my dr said when i could wear the seatbelt comfortably. but 2 weeks for me for the 2 week check up :-)

TnG05

I was told 2 weeks. 

tifdaski84

I don't remember my doctor saying anything about driving limitations. I drove to my appointment to have my staples removed at 10 days PP.

jjhp2018

My doc also said 2 weeks but my DH had to leave back out on the river for work so I was driving before then for groceries, taking my older DD to school, and I even went back to work (i'm a vendor 3 days a week) before 2 weeks pp.

jb2rn

I had no restrictions - for me it was at about one week. I felt well enough to drive.

tawillers

My driving was restricted until 2w pp as well.

The issue isn't whether you FEEL good, it's that your stomach muscles were cut open and need time to heal so you can have full control of your body, specifically your driving leg.  You've got to be able to react quickly.

bakerlm

I was told 2 weeks as well.  I was even on magnesium for HELLPS.  I was comfortable before then but I followed doctors orders... plus since I needed a "driver" it meant I always had a someone around to talk to and to help with the baby:)  Milk it!

White0rchid

With DD1, I was back driving 1 week PP. I had a very easy recovery and was already out and about at that point. I went home 2 nights after my c/s and didn't take anything stronger than Tylenol after I got home.

With DD2, it was after 2 weeks and probably closer to 3 weeks. My recovery from her was rough, and it took me much longer to feel comfortable driving. 

Linds1027

I drove after 2 weeks. Once I could turn around while sitting without pain. 

mwlove

My doctor didn't give me a specific time frame for driving.  It was just when I felt well enough to have control over my leg to react quickly and to wear the seatbelt comfortably.  I was back to driving 3 weeks later, but I had a long, painful recovery.

magdalina.h

I didn't drive for a month, but that's because MH was home for the first month so he drove everywhere.

kellbelle618

My dr. cleared me to drive at my two week checkup

Kie310

No driving for 2 weeks. It is because if there is a sudden stop you could get hurt. Or if you need to react quickly because of the surgery you might not be able to. It is major abdominal surgery, it comes with all the normal risks and rules

lucylea

Both times I was told once I was off pain medications and could sit and stand comfortably.  With #1 that was about a week PP and with DS it was 4 days.  

stemms8810

I was told 2 weeks and make sure you are off your pain meds.  Tylenol is okay but no prescription meds.

angelrue522

Just left my 2 week check up and wad given the OK to drive

 

cltk12

Kie310:

No driving for 2 weeks. It is because if there is a sudden stop you could get hurt. Or if you need to react quickly because of the surgery you might not be able to. It is major abdominal surgery, it comes with all the normal risks and rules

This. 

keg

tawillers:

The issue isn't whether you FEEL good, it's that your stomach muscles were cut open and need time to heal so you can have full control of your body, specifically your driving leg.  You've got to be able to react quickly.

I can't remember how long I didn't drive, but since my section, I talked with a GYN surgeon and what she said made a ton of sense.  Her recommendations is that you can drive again once you can slam on the brakes without any hesitation.