Driving and Walking after C-section

jlml2008

About Driving: How long after a csection are you unable to drive? My csection is scheduled for Friday June 7th and my DH has off two weeks and goes back to work Monday June 23rd. Will I be able to drive by then or should I make plans for additional weeks of help? We will have the newborn as well as my 2.5 year old so I would rather not be stuck in the house every single day unless we have to. I know it is dependent on if you are on pain pills and all of that but I didn't know if there were requirements or not

About Walking: I know you want to be up and walking as soon as possible to help relieve gas but I'm curious how far/how long you are supposed to walk. Having a summer baby this time around I was hoping to be able to use my new BOB double stroller for walks while the weather is nice. I would have DH with me to push the stroller but I just don't want to overdo it! 

Mama-Bear

General consensus is 2w for driving (though my OB gave me permission to begin driving at 1w).  As far as walking, I would just see how you feel and go from there, maybe start with walking 10-15 minutes and then increase. 

mnj05

I drove around a week and half but I had been off the pain meds for a few days.

Walking may surprise you. I felt good enough to walk at 3 weeks, but not even 10 minutes into it, I was hurting so we turned around and went home. It took me a good month to be able to walk around the grocery store without hurting. I was walking in the hospital the morning after my c/s (it was at 8pm the previous night) and kept walking several times a day while the pain meds were working so I don't think it has anything to do with how quickly you get moving. Just take it slow and listen to your body, don't over do it.

kreeper611

Ditto the others. I move around a lot but found walking a long distance the first few weeks would wear me out and I would be sore the next day.

smfdjo

I was allowed to drive a week after my C-section.  I think these things will depend on your doctor.  My doctor said I could walk after four weeks.  As other said, take it slow because I would walk 30 mins and feel sore after. 

HattieDornbush

You should be fine driving as long as you aren't on pain meds. Walking should be fine. I walked after mine and the fresh air and exercise has been good for me. Just do what your body will tolerate and don't push it. I felt pretty much back to normal by 2 weeks.

Mommasboyz

I was driving days later and walking will be just like normal in two weeks or less. You will be amazed how easy the recovery really is. Good luck