The main risk is to cause you additional damage by making an effort to get things like a cot in or out of your car (you shouldn`t lift heavy loads). If you are taking painkillers, some of them come with a warning not to drive as they can cause drowsiness. The pain may persist after surgery. Make sure you have recovered enough to drive safely. Before you can leave after a C-section, it`s best to wait a bit, says Dr. David M. Kimble, MD, a board-certified urogynecologist at Kimble Center Romper. “Traditional classes always said you had to wait two weeks before driving,” says Dr. Kimble. “However, this may be unrealistic for busy or single mothers. In my practice, I inform patients that they can start driving if they stop taking painkillers and have very little pain. Well, it could be as early as a few days after surgery or even longer, depending on how your postpartum recovery is going.
If you feel the need and are ready to drive after a caesarean section, choose a vehicle in which you feel comfortable, pedal, change position, turn the steering wheel and look back (5). It is ideal to choose a car with a seat at a comfortable level to get in and out. You can consider an automatic car where you don`t have to operate the clutch, which further reduces the load. If you plan to travel with your baby, make sure you have a properly installed child restraint system (car seat) according to the safety instructions and ergonomics of the vehicle (6). I tell patients that they can drive when they no longer need painkiller medication and feel good enough to drive. A good guide is: As a general rule, you should refrain from driving for at least six weeks after the procedure. But if you feel ready sooner — or if you find you still don`t feel quite ready after six weeks — talk to your doctor for additional advice. Although experts recommend limiting strenuous activities, it is recommended to perform gentle activities and stay mobile for best results.
Read this article to learn more about driving after a cesarean delivery. It is advisable to consult a doctor and undergo a thorough postnatal examination before starting the car after a caesarean section. You can continue driving after receiving medical clearance from your doctor. If your doctor thinks your condition may affect your ability to drive and mentions this in your medical history, you should refrain from driving for a reasonable period of time to avoid legal problems (4). It`s also worth checking your insurance company`s policies for insurance exclusions or accident insurance conditions related to driving after a C-section. Caesarean section is a complex surgical procedure. Most women who undergo this surgery experience pain, bleeding, and abdominal discomfort in the first few days after surgery. For some, pain in the abdominal incision area lasts for several weeks (1). Therefore, women may feel uncomfortable driving in the first few weeks after caesarean section. After your C-section, your doctor may prescribe a number of painkillers.
Strong painkillers can be associated with certain side effects, such as drowsiness, which can affect your reaction speed in the car. Dr. Gary Sykes, a specialist obstetrician and mom`s vine expert, says there`s a simple at-home test you can do to see if you`re ready to drive again. There may be times when you don`t have a friend or family member who can sweep a supermarket for you. If you have to drive, you can do it safely, but with some precautions. “Before driving, take a non-narcotic medication like ibuprofen or Tylenol,” Kimble suggests. “You can also use a knee pillow, drive back roads at a slower speed, and allow a greater distance than usual from the vehicle in front of you.” Caesarean section or caesarean section is a major invasive procedure performed at the birth of a baby. It is recommended to avoid strenuous activities, including driving after a caesarean section, for at least 42–45 days (1).
You can receive appropriate postoperative care to promote wound healing and recovery. A caesarean section is a major operation. It will take some time for your body to heal. And as your body heals, your range of motion may be limited. You might have trouble moving your legs to use the pedals and turn your head to look for blind spots. You may also have trouble putting on a seat belt, and you may find it too painful to wear a seat belt against your stomach. In addition to having a common mind, you need to be able, well, to drive. “The worry is directly related to pain when you move your leg and foot from the accelerator pedal to the brake,” Kimble says. “Pain can delay this movement, increasing the likelihood of an accident.” You can always use a soft pillow between your lap belt and your cup (whether you are the passenger or the driver) so that your cut is padded. It`s not so much the belt you need to worry about, but your mental acuity. “Drowsiness, dizziness, fog and lack of sleep are the main risk factors for driving after caesarean section,” says Prabakar. “If you experience any of these symptoms, you shouldn`t drive.” But there are also physical symptoms that you need to be aware of.
“You need to be aware of persistent pain, bleeding from the incision, drainage and swelling from the incision,” Kimble advises. “If any of the above cases occur and remain persistent, it is essential to contact your doctor. If the incision has areas of division, this can usually be corrected in the office with Steri scratches. There`s no law or legislation that says you can`t drive after a C-section, and anything in your insurance policy is unlikely to prevent this from happening (although you should check that). You do not need to notify DVLA. Some doctors recommend not driving for 4 to 6 weeks, but every woman is different and the ability to drive or not depends on your ability to drive: you may be asked not to drive for a while after a C-section, depending on your condition and recovery. However, you should have certain facts checked and take the necessary steps for your safety if you plan to start driving after a C-section (7). Most women are advised not to drive for several weeks after a cesarean section to ensure that the incision wound is completely healed and that there are no effects of the medications.
Talk to your doctor and have a postnatal exam before considering driving. Don`t drive until you feel ready and get approval from your doctor. It will ensure your safety and that of other loved ones in the vehicle, including your baby. The type of car affects how easy it is to get in and out.