STMs - Driving after birth

JaneD112013 · September 2013

I was talking to my mom and she mentioned I won't be allowed to drive for 6 weeks after LO arrives. Is this true? I hadn't heard of this before.

alatham · September 2013

That's what the doctor recommends, yes. I listened the first time, but by the second, I drove like 2 weeks after birth.

[Deleted User] · September 2013

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Kim22 · September 2013

I had 2 c sections and my dr said 2 weeks. No matter how you deliver I think whether or not you are on pain meds affects driving restrictions more than anything.

JaneD112013 · September 2013

2 weeks makes sense...I can't imagine being home bound for 6 weeks

fiddlefern · September 2013

I never heard of this. I drove to Thanksgiving dinner the day we left the hospital.

Eshirley26 · September 2013

I haven't heard of this before, but I am a FTM. Hmm...adding to my Dr. questions list for next appt!

mommygrams0730 · September 2013

Lurking from jan 14, with my first (vag birth) I drove him to his first appt which was within the same week he was born...he was born on Sunday and went to his dr on thurs, so 4 days pp.

With my last I ended up with a c-section but left the hospital early (after 2 night) and didn't need anything except the ibuprofen. I had my dd on Sunday, went home on tues and drove on Friday.

I don't even remember if the suggested a wait time before driving, but I had no issues.

Heads back to lurking...

ETA: changed dates.

tiki8286 · September 2013

I drove my son to his first dr appt when he was 5 days old.

sands42 · September 2013

My doctor never said anything and my husband was overseas so I drove myself anywhere I needed to go (not home from the hospital, but after that) I wasn't taking any pain meds....

CarrieB. · September 2013

I thought the restriction was just 1 week after a normal vaginal delivery. My DH doesn't drive, but my mom stayed with us for a week and drove me to doctor's apts, etc. after DD1 was born. After she left, I was fine driving again. I would assume the restriction would be longer after a C-section.

babymama619 · September 2013

I've heard 6 weeks with a c-sectio, but that does seem extreme to me. It never occured to me that I wouldn't be able to drive soon after a vaginal delivery. Huh.

RavenandJosh · September 2013

I was never told that from my doctor with my first and I had a vag delivery with no meds during or after. I wouldn't recommend driving home from the hospital but after that I don't see any reason why you couldn't drive as long as you didn't have a c-section or are taking any pain meds. I don't think I would have driven if I had opted to take any pain meds after the birth due to the way pain meds mess with my head. I think it should be something you talk to your doctor about. Listen to them, they know more than us. My opinion is just based off experience.

swimiz500 · September 2013

I was told 2 weeks with my c/s. I think I drove about 10 days after, but I was no longer on pain meds.

3Dewdrops · September 2013

I couldn't drive after either of mine because I busted my tailbone during my first delivery and had to prop myself up with my arms to avoid sitting on it. I couldn't even sit on an inflatable doughnut. Second time around I was on vicodin for 3 weeks after. (tailbone issues yet again)

I would imagine after a normal birth it would just be too sore for at most a week, probably less with no tearing.

katmac17 · September 2013

I can't remember exactly when I drove, but it was within a few days, and I felt fine doing so. For me it was really more about recovering from two nights of essentially no sleep during labor. I had a vaginal delivery and didn't end up needing anything more than ibuprofen for discomfort.

beccaxbooxbear · September 2013

Yup it's true. I couldn't drive for 8 weeks due to my cesarean. It blows trying to find someone to drive you to your baby's appointment and your own ob appointment. Everything else dh ran and did for me

inlove0509 · September 2013

I didn't drive for around 4-6 weeks after my delivery, but it was due to how painful/uncomfortable it was sitting in a car after my episiotomy from my forceps delivery. My midwife never placed those restrictions on me. I sat on a pillow those first few weeks and even in the car when hubby drove. Hopefully I can drive sooner with this LO.

karenh773 · September 2013

I've never heard that. I've driven within a week of all 6 of mine. (no c/s though so I could see that making a difference.)

LoveOfMikesLife · September 2013

I didn't drive leaving the hospital but I'm pretty sure I did drive later that night. I wasn't in any pain so I didn't need the meds. Maybe that has something to do with it?

cg0112358 · September 2013

Lurking here but I had a c/s 5 weeks ago and was initially told 2 weeks but they said I was fine as long as I was off my pain meds.

SweetLaura286 · September 2013

The paper we just got from the doc at 32 week appt said that you can drive when you feel able to, and would be free of pain if you suddenly had to jerk your leg and slam on the break. Thought that was very reasonable!

MrsJillian · September 2013

I never heard of a driving restriction. I drove myself to the hospital when I had my first. I left the car in the hospital lot for 2 days. When it was time to go home, I got in my husband's car with the baby, but then he drove me to my car so that I could drive it home. I had a vaginal delivery with an episiotomy, and I had no trouble driving. I wouldn't recommend a long road trip, but for short distances if you are comfortable doing it, then I don't see why a doctor wouldn't allow it.

HerbanMom · September 2013

Hmmm, my OB never recommended anything like that after either of my children. Honestly, DS1 had severe jaundice and had to be carted back and forth to the hospital daily from 3 days on and I drove him each time. DS2, I waited longer but it was more out of fear of going out alone with two kids haha. I think you need to go based on how you're feeling. Some deliveries are obviously more complicated or traumatic and some people just bounce right back.

MsCrispy · September 2013

I've never heard of this and no one every mentioned driving restrictions after my DD was born.

I don't remember when I first drove, but it was definitely before 6 weeks. I wasn't on any pain meds after the labor and my recovery was pretty easy, so I can't really imagine why I wouldn't have been fit to drive.