Driving /Flying after a Caesarean?

[Mo2]

Anyone know the reasons/advice/ recommendations for how soon you can drive after having a c-section. Last time I was told 6 weeks, butthis time 4, and my insurance co. says I'm covered whenever I want to start again anyway. My MW & Health Visitor have given me different reasons for not doing it bfore 4 weeks, ranging from 1) using the clutch is tiring (we have an automatic); 2) the seatbelt 'cuts' into the site of the scar (but surely this is the same even if you're a passenger?) 3) you wouldn't have the muscle/ability to do a safe emergency stop.
We don't live within walking distance of town/friends, so I'm beginning to feel cut off without my car!
Also, what about flying? Want to go and see my parents in the North, with new baby, since Mum has had a hip replacement and they can't come to us, but again I've heard not to fly before 6-8 weeks due to risk of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Anyone know the facts please?

[SoupDragon]

No medical basis for this but I think it may something to do with stomach muscles. Try sitting in a chair using pretend car pedals. Can you lift your feet to slam them on the breaks in case of emergency? Does using the acellerator affect the area of your c-section at all?

Just sitting at my PC moving my feet about I can feel my stomach muscles tightening. If this sort of thing causes you any pain or you can feel any weakness, I'd advise against driving. If you feel OK and your insurance company is happy then try a short trip, with someone who can take over if necessary, and see how you go. I guess it depends how quickly you heal - it's not worth risking injury.

No idea about flying I'm afraid.

[21stcenturygirl]

I was told not drive until I could do an emergency stop. If you're insurance Co will cover you (I'd double check this) then just take things slowly. I personally drove about 4 weeks after but only short distances.

In terms of flying, I flew 10 days after (4 hour flight). To avoid DVT, I walked around (when I wasn't breastfeeding) and drank loads and loads of water.

Hope this helps.

[aloha]

I drove the minute I got back home and was able to get up, comb hair, put on clothes and dress baby before nightfall - about 10 days, I suppose. Maybe less. I never felt driving was any more active than sitting watching TV - certainly less so than lugging a baby about, walking or climbing stairs. I drove all over, and would have gone mad if I hadn't been able to get out. While nobody should do something that hurts, I suspect that for most people this is one of those caesarian myths. If it feels good, do it!

[PamT]

My insurance company told me that I couldn't drive until I'd had the all clear from my doctor (and therefore I wouldn't be insured). The midwife told me 6 weeks and the doctor gave me the all clear when I had the 6 weeks check. To me this is one of the biggest draw backs of a C Section.

A word of warning - my aunt drove a few weeks after undergoing a tummy tuck operation and was involved in an accident where her scar burst open, this being the main reason for women being advised not to drive too soon.

I'm sorry I don't know about flying but I think any operation carries a higher risk of DVT when flying, for several months, my sister was warned not to fly after her hip op last year but I don't know how long for.

[SofiaAmes]

I was told by the physiotherapist in the hospital that I shouldn't drive for a few weeks, not because I had had a c-section, but because I had been pregnant. The way he explained it, there are two parallel muscles that run down the front of your stomach. Normally they are right next to each other. However when you get pregnant they loosen and separate to allow your belly to expand. Once you've had the baby they start moving back together. The danger is to do any sort of twisting motion (ie turning to look over your shoulder when reversing) until they are back together, because you can damage the muscles. He gave me some light exercises to do to help strengthen them and bring them back together and showed me how to feel if they were in fact back in place. (at which point he said that it would be safe to drive) My understanding was that the only difference between a c-section and a vaginal birth is that it takes longer (3-4 weeks vs. 2 weeks) to get these muscles back in place because you have to be careful doing any stomach muscle exercises after a c-section.
I was not told not to fly, though i can't imagine having the energy to do so just after giving birth. We did go to jamaica (11 hours) when my son was 2 mo. old and the doctor had no problem with that for either him or me.
I don't think in the usa they tell you not to drive after giving birth, c-section or not.

[aloha]

My stomach would be absolutely fine, if I could get the lard off it.

[MABS]

My ins said it was fine if my doc was happy with it - she was happy after 3 wks. Flyings fine - some airline won't allow babies to fly until 14 days, sorry haven't read how old your babe is.

[aloha]

I didn't ask my insurance company - and there was nothing about it in the small print.

[Lindy]

I asked my Insurance Company & they said there was absolutely nothing in the policy about not driving after a C Section so I guess it just depends who you are insured with. I drove after about 4 weeks - felt exactly the same as I did five days after the op - again, it depends on how quickly you heal up yourself. Must admit I quite liked using the 'excuse' of not being able to drive - although we are in an extremely rural area, certainly no shop within walking distance so the novelty soon wore off!

Never heard about not being able to fly but do check babies age as I think I heard somewhere that very young babies are not allowed to fly - this might have just been under two weeks though.