There is no rule or legal requirement about when you can start driving again after giving birth vaginally. But it is best to wait until any medication is out of your system, you're not in pain and you feel comfortable and confident before you get behind the wheel.
If you delivered vaginally, you may drive when you feel comfortable and have stopped taking pain medications. If you had a cesarean section, wait at least two weeks before driving. Sitz baths (warm, shallow baths), regular baths, and showers are safe after vaginal delivery and can help with discomfort.
If you've gone with a vaginal birth, it is generally recommended that you refrain from driving for at least a week or two. In order to drive safely, you should be able to make quick movements, not be tired, and be able to wear a seat-belt without any discomfort.
When can I drive after giving birth? Regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section, experts recommend you avoid driving for at least one or two weeks, or until getting behind the wheel no longer feels painful or difficult.
It's normal for bleeding to last (and taper out) during this second week. You may notice that some of the vaginal discharge is pinkish-brown or yellowish in color; this is also normal. You may experience vaginal bleeding and discharge (consistently or on and off) for up to 4 to 6 weeks postpartum.
Most people find the first six to eight weeks to be the hardest with a new baby. And, although people may not openly discuss many of the challenges in these early weeks of parenthood (if at all), there are a number of common hurdles you may face at this time.
2 weeks after the birth
Aim for 30 minutes of walking, 5 days per week. Listen to your body and your energy levels. You may need to start with just a few minutes of walking before building up to half an hour. Stay well hydrated, especially if you are breastfeeding.
There is no rule or legal requirement about when you can start driving again after giving birth vaginally. But it is best to wait until any medication is out of your system, you're not in pain and you feel comfortable and confident before you get behind the wheel.
The 555 postpartum rule is a great guideline that suggests five days in bed, five days on the bed, and five days around the bed, adding up to 15 days of taking it easy and allowing yourself to recover gently during this time.
Usually, it is safe to begin exercising a few days after giving birth—or as soon as you feel ready. If you had a cesarean birth or complications, ask your ob-gyn when it is safe to begin exercising again.
Uterus weight changes during involution
The following breakdown offers an approximation of how much a uterus weighs soon after you've had your baby up until eight weeks. After delivery: 1000 grams. One week: 500 grams. Two weeks: 300 grams.
Don't drink alcohol, use street drugs or use harmful drugs. All of these can affect your mood and make you feel worse. And they can make it hard for you to take care of your baby. Ask for help from your partner, family and friends.
If your postnatal bleeding (lochia) gets heavier or changes colour (becomes pink or red) after activity, you could be overdoing it. You're also likely to feel very tired. Listen to your body. Pace yourself and make sure you get plenty of rest too.
While six weeks has long been the traditional timeline for rest and recuperation after a birth, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends ongoing postpartum care from birth to 12 weeks. Six weeks is also the standard recovery time allotted for childbirth-related short-term disability leave.
Prepare for the 5-5-5 rule: 5 days in the bed, 5 days on the bed, 5 days near the bed. This gives you a solid two weeks of focused intentional rest. It also helps to get your priorities in order when it comes to those eager visitors.
The highest risk periods appear to be the delivery period and up to two weeks postpartum, but the risk can continue up to six weeks postpartum.
In those first few weeks postpartum, your cervix is still somewhat dilated, regardless of whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section. There's a theory – though no research has confirmed this – that tub water could travel into your uterus, introduce bacteria, and cause an infection.
Limit your activity to caring for yourself and your baby. If you had an exercise routine during pregnancy, ask your health care provider when you can begin again. You can start the gentle postpartum exercise routine described below the day after you give birth.
Your incision will not reach its maximum strength for approximately four to five weeks, so take care not to overexert yourself. Usual activities such as walking, climbing the stairs and light housework are safe but do not lift heavy objects for approximately six weeks.
This is common, and after you give birth, both your stomach and your uterus will start to contract to their pre-pregnancy sizes. Expect it to take around six weeks for your uterus to contract fully. At six weeks, you may have already lost the weight you gained during pregnancy.
Most doctors advise not to put anything in the vagina—including toys, fingers, and penises—for four to six weeks to allow for healing and reduce the risk of complications.
But experts say there's nothing wrong with going out so soon after having a baby—provided you're smart about it. “Many doctors will tell women that they can leave the house as soon as they feel well enough to do so,” women's health expert Jennifer Wider, M.D., tells SELF.
“Second night syndrome” is a perfectly normal response to being born, and most babies experience a bit of fussiness on their second night of life. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong or that your baby is starving. It can feel overwhelming, but there ARE some things you can do to help survive the second night!
Other red flags to take note of are: chills, abdominal pain, foul-smelling discharge or a foul-smelling incision cite, redness, swelling, tenderness or pain in the breast, abdomen, or uterus, or flu-like symptoms.
Activities like spinning can be great for postpartum women who are having trouble walking, but be wary of leaning over and putting too much strain on a C-section scar.