Hi there!
We recently realized that the trip we had booked, which was made before I became pregnant, was scheduled for six weeks after my anticipated C-section. I’ve read that I should be able to drive at that stage, but I wanted to hear other people’s opinions, such as “by that point it’s totally fine and a 3 hour non-essential trip will be fine” or “ok you can drive if you need to but avoid it.” I’m leaning toward the former. Regards!
It truly depends on how things work out. I recovered horribly. After the first two weeks, I could hardly walk without assistance, and eight weeks later, I was still wearing an abdominal binder. I drove myself to my 6-week postpartum visit, but I had to keep the seatbelt away from my incision and I had to wait an additional two weeks before I could get behind the wheel again. However, I suffered extremely painful nerve injury.
However, some people recover completely right away.
I’ve been driving for the past two weeks, and I’m five weeks pregnant. I might only need to take a few breaks, which you’ll need to do with the baby anyhow, but I would feel OK for a three-hour journey. I just feel like my incision is tighter. I’m not in any discomfort anymore.
It is dependent upon your auto insurance in Australia. Many insurance companies have a policy that states they won’t cover you if you drive and get into an accident within a particular amount of time following major surgery unless your doctor certifies that you’re well enough to drive. I had to wait six weeks after giving birth before my doctor would let me go.
As I mentioned before, exercise caution when purchasing insurance; this holds true in the UK as well. Six weeks is generally accepted as the recovery period following major abdominal surgery (such as a c-section), though many patients will be fully recovered before then.
Similar laws applied in the US. I wasn’t covered by my insurance until my six-week postpartum visit. However, I didn’t need to give them a note from a doctor or anything. All they did was perform C-sections every six weeks.
A week later, I drove myself to my incision check-up, something that everyone thought I was insane about. Although it was bearable, it wasn’t at all comfy. After six weeks, I was able to drive fairly regularly. Replying to comments made by others regarding a lap pillow. However, it might not be the safest choice for a lengthy drive!
Despite my vertical scar, I believe that after six weeks I could get in and out of the automobile by myself, but it was still somewhat difficult. However, I believe a lot relies on how the recuperation proceeds.
I went for a three-hour drive 2.5 weeks ago and had no trouble at all!