How Soon After Giving Birth Can You Start Driving Again?

Like many new moms in the postpartum bubble, I was flooded with questions after giving birth. First, I wanted to know the basics (like how soon I could take a bath). But as time went on and I started to go stir crazy, I had to know when I could expect to gain a little freedom back — when could I drive again? Every woman will receive a different answer from her healthcare provider, but the general guideline is to wait one to two weeks after a vaginal delivery and anywhere between two and six weeks after a cesarean section, depending on your recovery, before getting behind the wheel. 

Before setting out on the road, conduct a personal evaluation. Here are a few questions to ask yourself. Are you taking any medications or experiencing pain that could distract you from the road and limit your ability to react quickly? Once in the car, does the placement of the seatbelt create discomfort in your abdomen? Can you turn your neck to the side fully to check your blind spot for oncoming traffic? Especially in those recovering from a C-section, your range of motion can be limited in the first few weeks after giving birth. If you answered no to any of these questions, you may need to postpone driving.

There are no laws in the United States that prohibit driving within a specific amount of time after giving birth. However, there are laws against driving when a "controlled substance" (which includes some prescription painkillers) interferes with your ability to safely operate your car. Because of this, experts advise that new moms should err on the side of caution — just because your healthcare provider gives the clearance at the two-week or six-week mark does not mean it's best. As you continue to heal, listen to your physical signals and intuition (is your body telling you you're still too tired and/or weak to drive?).

Moms at the Reddit thread r/pregnant, discussed driving after giving birth — with some advising to avoid it if possible. "Just be mindful you will be wildly exhausted, and now have to think about baby on top of it," one Redditor noted. "Give yourself plenty of time to get wherever you have to go and be honest with yourself/partner if you're too tired or spaced out." 

Enlisting the help of a fellow adult could also allow you to sit in the back seat and monitor your baby, which pediatricians recommend in the first few months, especially during longer trips. For other moms, the only option is to drive right away. One Redditor said her baby was staying in the NICU and she was her own transportation source. "My comfort didn't really factor in; the choice was between driving or abandoning my baby, so obviously I drove."