A survey of women and health providers about information regarding the timing of driving a car after experiencing a caesarean section.

Background: In NSW, around 30% of women experience a caesarean section. Anecdotally, few receive consistent information regarding driving after a caesarean delivery.

Aims: The aims were to determine the information provided to women following caesarean section and by whom it was given, and compare this with women's actual driving behaviour.

Method: Prior to hospital discharge, 101 consenting women completed a survey of five questions documenting the information they received about when to commence driving. They were telephoned 6-8 weeks postpartum and asked when they drove and whether they experienced any problems. Following this, a staff survey was conducted to establish what information was given to women. Insurance companies and government departments were contacted for relevant polices about when women can drive postcaesarean.

Results: 100 women completed both surveys (99% of recruits); 65% were advised to wait for 6 weeks or longer before driving. However, 72% of women reported they had driven by 6 weeks, and 35% by 3 weeks. In our sample, women reported minimal discomfort and rarely discontinued driving. Returned staff surveys (n = 138) revealed inconsistent advice ranging from no advice to 8 weeks of driving abstinence. Other recommendations included following insurance company guidelines (of which there were none specific to postcaesarean) (34%), 'listen to your body and be able to perform an emergency stop' (27%).

Conclusion: Women receive conflicting advice, and current recommendations are not reflected in women's behaviour. Women are driving earlier than advised with minimal reported complications.