How long did you wait to drive?

angelab0318 · September 2011

My midwife told me to wait a while after C/S to start driving.

It's been almost 4 weeks and I feel ready but don't know if I'll end up hurting myself. It would sure be nice not to depend on DH for rides anymore.

EveryNameIWantIsTaken · September 2011

2 weeks was the number I was given. I was cleared at my 2 week appointment. I think a lot of it has to do with the pain pills causing a slower reaction time, and if you are off of them, you should be ok. Definitely clear it with your midwife, though.

pepomntpat · September 2011

I was told to wait until my FU appt. I did, but only because DH was able to take me wherever I wanted to go. If his schedule had not been so flexible, I'd have had to go against doctor's orders. I was ready to be out and about after two weeks.

Fussalopesmom · September 2011

I think it was closer to 3 weeks for me but that was just because we had to drive 2 hours to the NICU were DS was and I wasnt ready for that. I probably could have handled shorter trips by 2 weeks, but we weren't really doing much more than going to the hospital

WaitingforGrace · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks because before then your stomach muscles aren't strong enough to react to push the pedals in an emergency. Whether its true or not, I waited 2 weeks.

Pinaysis86 · September 2011

I waited 2 weeks which was yesterday. I actually had to drive because I had 3 appointments scheduled and my DH was working. It went well, I didn't feel pain or anything.

capulet · September 2011

I wasn't ever given any guidelines about driving. I drove to the doctor at 12 days postpartum, which I probably wouldn't have done if I hadn't needed to drive myself, but it was fine.

megstarwsu · September 2011

I started driving at 2 weeks mostly because I couldn't handle being cooped up in the house with DD and DS all day everyday. DD is very busy and needs to get out of the house pretty regularly. I'm pretty sure they just say this because of the pain pills you'll be on. It never hurt to drive or anything.

Raffes484 · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks but only waited a week and a half after having DD and a week after having DS.

RoxBride · September 2011

I was just on Motrin, so I drove within 5 days, no issues, my doctor didn't care.

Sundrup23 · September 2011

I was told 4 weeks each time which seems excessive. I went a total of about 2 - 21/2 weeks each time. It is because of pain pills and reaction time with cut tummy muscles but I only drove to a doctor's appointment and the store a couple of times. Long distances I wouldn't do until later but that is just me.

snoopy3319 · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks and waited 2 weeks. I was still barely able to get into a car at week 1, so I can't imagine in an emergency being able to slam on my brakes or if I needed to turn funny to see down a street. I never took more than tylenol after day 1 post-surgery.

byrne15 · September 2011

I drove 1 week after around town

I drove back to school (70 miles each way) 2 weeks after ds was born.

desertlady86 · September 2011

I was told no driving until I was off all pain pills!

SarahP15 · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks and waited 2 weeks.

eesome · September 2011

2 weeks.

Mrs. Alice · September 2011

I drove short distances a day or two after I was discharged from the hospital. My babies were in a NICU 100 miles away from our home so I began driving (never by myself) that a little over a week later. I felt fine and was not on pain meds so I didn't see the harm. Listen to your body and do what you feel is right.

flutepharm87 · September 2011

2 weeks pp. I couldn't wait to start driving again. I also didn't wait for permission from my OB (oops!). She ended up saying it was OK when I went in for an appointment. Apparently, as long as you're comfortable turning from side to side to look at your blind spot, you're fine to drive. But let your body tell you when you're ready.

RoxBride · September 2011

Sudden movement opening up the incision? Yeah, no movement made driving a car would compare to say the movement of getting on and off the toilet or in and out of bed.

MiamiMergers · September 2011

2 weeks

disneyfan0511 · September 2011

1 week. My DD was in the NICU and I needed to drive to see her (DH was already back at work). I wasn't on pain meds so I was OK to drive.

irishmom2010 · September 2011

I was told 4 weeks and stuck with it. In fact, that's the only thing I was forced to listen to - otherwise, I would have driven at 2 weeks, 1 day!

The first time I drove though, at 4 weeks on the mark, I understood why. It was a little uncomfortable to turn to check on DD or check blind spots. Other than that, it's 50/50 between 2 and 4 weeks, depending on your doc.

TPINK6283 · September 2011

3 Weeks!

lite-bright · September 2011

I was initially told to wait until I was off my vicodin, which lasted me two weeks. Then I drove myself to my two-week check, the doc (a different one than I'd seen in the hospital) took off my steri-strips and said I was clear to drive. Ooops! lol

Mrs_MBed · September 2011

I was cleared at about 2 wks and I was only taking OTC pain meds. I asked just b/c I couldn't handle my mom driving me anymore. Plus DD2 was in the NICU, so I was driving less than 1/4 of a mile roundtrip and not on a main road - we were very lucky to be so close to the hospital.

Come to think of it, I was never told not to after DD1 was born...

Holly520 · September 2011

I don't think I drove for a month, but my husband was off for 5 weeks following DD's birth.

julbeejulz · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks but I only made it 1.5 wks.

lucylea · September 2011

I was told as long as I was off pain meds and sitting and walking comfortably that I could drive. For me that meant the day after I left the hospital.

MeghanF13 · September 2011

I was told 6 weeks, so I waited 6 weeks. There really wasn't anywhere I needed to drive to anyway. Grocery store is within walking distance and we had a lot of help from family and friends too.

Mrs. Stew · September 2011

I was told at least one week, more if I was still on the pain meds. I waited two weeks.

law8296 · September 2011

Definitely less than the amount of time recommended (which I believe is two weeks). I can remember driving to Blockbuster to get a movie at like a week (or less) after being discharged from the hospital. I didn't really see why- I was not on pain meds any longer and didn't feel any pain in manuevering the vehicle or issues from the seatbelt, etc. I was also VERY ANTSY to get out of the house.

Sa039ra · September 2011

I was told 6 weeks and waited the whole 6 weeks. DH was off for the first 4 weeks and then my mom took us wherever we needed to go the last 2.

Rach21 · September 2011

I drove as soon as I could sit up comfortably, but I didn't take any pain meds at home other than regular OTC Motrin. I think they are more concerned about pain medicines than site pain, but talk to your midwife to be sure.

Beckypooh09 · September 2011

I was told 1-2 weeks depending on how I felt. Drove a week and a half after and felt fine.

odear · September 2011

I was cleared at my 2 week appt. I had been off of narcotic pain pills for about 5 days at that time.

lexigrl · September 2011

2 weeks I was off the pain meds before I even left the hospital..so at my 2 weeks appt the doc said I could start driving.

crab82388 · September 2011

I was told 2 weeks, but it was about a month before I did. H was home with me for that long, so I just never had a reason to before that.

MrsT1024 · September 2011

I started driving again as soon as I stopped taking my pain meds. I stopped with the meds on Sunday and ran errands on Monday so that would have been 6 days after delivery. No issues or pain of any sort. I wouldn't have done it while I was still on the pain meds though... they slowed my reaction time down way too much and made me a little fuzzy.