driving after birth

[MommytoTwo]

Not that its specifically related to hb but assuming you have a normal vaginal birth with no episiotomy etc - how soon can you drive?

I have only had c/s so I didnt drive for about 2 weeks (though I was told 6)

[krismarie]

i think i drove as soon as i felt like it... like two days later (i think i went to the library b/c i wanted to get out of the house for a bit). i had a vag birth with a small tear.

[the_lissa]

I drove the next day both times.

[aiccerb]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

I drove the next day both times.

:

[Drewsmom]

As far as I know, you don't have any restrictions at all (I've never been given any with my two previous which were vaginal) for driving even with a 3rd degree tear after my first. Now I didn't go driving for a couple of weeks, it was my first baby and I really didn't want to go anywhere . However after my marvelous 2nd birth I went shopping 8 days after and I think I may have driven before that even, not sure.

[Emmeline II]

I drove on the 3rd day after for #1.

[avasmom]

I can't remember how soon after I drove, since I always had someone else with me who could drive for at least 2 weeks after. I detest driving though, so that could be another reason why.

[sedalbj]

Depends on when you can sit down.

[StacyL]

I'm always too sore to drive for about 2 weeks. Plus I can't move quickly enough for any fast reactions, due to the soreness.

[Turkish Kate]

With my first, I drove myself home from the hospital with a stop at the video rental store on the way. (XH had lost his license for DWI.) I was told to wait for 6 weeks, but they couldn't give me a reason why.

[Peony]

I didn't drive for 2 weeks because DH was off work so he drove me, and I sat in the back with the DC, but I totally could of driven the same day with DD2, no soreness at all.

[skueppers]

I think I was told not to drive for 2 weeks, but I actually drove after about a week. I felt fine to drive sooner, and would certainly have done so if I'd actually been in a situation where I wanted to. (My husband was home, and he usually drives when we're together, so the situation just didn't come up.)

Anyway, the explanation I got when I asked had to do with afterpains, but I never had those.

[Snowdrift]

I avoided it completely for a week and long drives for about two weeks. I felt capable of driving right away, but I had to go back to school at ten days and had to keep up with school work (including library trips) during the 9 days I took off, so I was trying really hard not to overdo it in other areas. I still ended up with pelvic floor pain that lingered for four months, but I think that those few steps I was able to take--like not driving--helped me recover better than if I'd gone straight back to regualr activities.

[flapjack]

I'd wait long enough to put a pad on- but other than that, no restrictions. I've driven within 24 hours of giving birth before.

[momto l&a]

Well considering after the birth of #1 I ran into the house to change clothes so we could go to the store and get maple bars I could have driven right after birth.