There is no law stating how long you have to wait after a C section before you drive again, but you must have medical clearance or clearance from your insurance company to drive otherwise you risk invalidating your insurance policy.
A C section or caesarian section involves cutting the abdominal wall muscles and, as such, can be painful while it is healing. Driving does cause you to use your abdominal muscles as you will need to turn your torso to see over your shoulder, and you will need to have enough strength to perform an emergency stop, so some women find it’s too painful to drive. Doctors will usually recommend stopping driving for anywhere up to six weeks, but you might feel like you are OK to drive short distances after two or three weeks – you can play it by ear and get clearance from your doctor if you are unsure. Many women report driving sooner after their second and subsequence C section.
The main risk is causing yourself additional harm straining to get things like a baby cot into or out of your car (you’re not supposed to do any heavy lifting). If you are taking painkillers, some of these come with a warning not to drive as they can cause drowsiness.
The type of car will affect how easy it is for you to get yourself in and out of it. Low-slung sports cars will present a greater problem than SUVs; with an SUV the seat is at a similar level to when you are standing, but in a lower car you’ll need to drop into the seat then climb back out.
Riding a motorbike might require a little while longer for the healing process as it’s a more physical activity.
Darren is an expert on driving and transport, and is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists
