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Original poster

To ask when you stopped driving in pregnancy?

221 replies

drivingquestion · 17/09/2024 18:38

Name change as asked in my due date groups under real name!

When did you stop driving in pregnancy? I’m 5ft nothing with short legs and finding at nearly 32 weeks that it’s harder to fit behind the steering wheel. I have adjusted my seat and the steering wheel as much as possible. I can’t lower the seat anymore or move further back as I wouldn’t be able to see or reach the pedals.

Attached pic - am I still ok for now? I have about an inch between my bump and the steering wheel. I’m concerned about whether it is safe or if I need to hang up my car keys for a while!

Thanks x

To ask when you stopped driving in pregnancy?
OP posts:
Skipsurvey · 18/09/2024 05:52

i didnt stop

Holidays78 · 18/09/2024 05:37

I stopped 30 minutes before I went into labour

babyproblems · 18/09/2024 05:30

Didn’t stop and never thought to! Although admittedly at the very end I was like a whale existing mainly on the settee or weeing on the loo so not much driving required!!

Scorchio84 · 18/09/2024 05:22

I was so lucky so this never occured to me, your body isn't your own when you're pregnant keine shame

Zanatdy · 18/09/2024 05:17

I didn’t, I drove in labour with DD as I wanted to pick DS2 up save his 14yr old brother have to collect him.

Scorchio84 · 18/09/2024 05:15

CantConfessWontConfess · 17/09/2024 19:38

Drove to the hospital in labour with my first, Drove 3 days after my C section with my second.

Hardcore

RawBloomers · 18/09/2024 04:13

I was pregnant in the US where I was advised by my OB/GYN that, if possible, your bump should be 10 inches (25 cm) from the steering wheel. If that wasn’t possible then it increases risk, but it isn’t unreasonable to drive even if you can’t be that far away as the big risk is a crash which is dangerous anyway whether you’re right up against the steering wheel or 10+ inches away and while being further away was better, it’s not a big issue.

My Dr. also said that one of the worst things for pregnant women was stress - which all the rules can really pile on without significantly lowering the chances of something untoward happening. So you might be better off just being generally sensible and not putting too much thought into it.

Sellingbedtime · 18/09/2024 03:52

I didn't stop, this didn't really cross my mind tbh 😬

autienotnaughty · 18/09/2024 03:48

I didn't stop with any. But with my third I massively reduced driving in last few weeks as it felt very uncomfortable. Bump was very close to wheel

YankSplaining · 18/09/2024 03:44

Never. Didn’t even know it was a “thing.”

BitOutOfPractice · 18/09/2024 03:42

I remember driving to pick the Christmas turkey up on Christmas Eve and I was due on Boxing Day. With an enormous bump.

NiftyKoala · 18/09/2024 03:32

I never stopped.

PeloMom · 18/09/2024 03:27

You have to decide for yourself- if it doesn’t feel safe to you, don’t drive. I didn’t stop but didn’t feel unsafe either.

PolePrince55 · 18/09/2024 03:24

I can't stop -Ive other children that need to be places.
I'm a mother and wife. 💩 needs done ✔️

Notlikelysaidthedragontothefly · 18/09/2024 03:24

I didn’t stop- I was having driving lessons at the time. My final lesson before baby was born was 5 days before I gave birth. The next
lesson was a week after I gave birth.

Ohiwish12 · 18/09/2024 03:20

Didn't stop. Drove to my c section

WeekendOutfit · 18/09/2024 03:18

HoppingPavlova · 18/09/2024 03:04

I’m 5” and stopped at full term for each of mine. For two of them, I was still driving the same day I had them. Cars are built for obese people and being pregnant at term is no different logistics wise in a car than being obese I’d think?

Obese people have fat inside them, they don't don't have a baby growing inside them. OP is worrying about the safety of her baby in the event of an accident and hitting the steering wheel.

WeekendOutfit · 18/09/2024 03:14

I don't think I drove much after 37 weeks in my pregnancies. I tended to not go far from home after that unless my partner was with me and then he drove.

If you're uncomfortable driving for any reason then stop. It doesn't matter what anyone else did, just do what you feel able and are comfortable with. I have a friend who is 5"2, with short legs who had a huge bump in her second pregnancy and she struggled to drive after 34 weeks as her bump was touching the steering wheel.

PuppiesLove · 18/09/2024 03:10

I think I stopped driving when I was in labour. There was no reason for me to stop.

HoppingPavlova · 18/09/2024 03:04

I’m 5” and stopped at full term for each of mine. For two of them, I was still driving the same day I had them. Cars are built for obese people and being pregnant at term is no different logistics wise in a car than being obese I’d think?

Yalta · 18/09/2024 02:56

5ft 3” Short legs

I drove myself and now exh to the hospital after my waters broke

lemonmeringueno3 · 18/09/2024 02:51

Drove myself to hospital in labour. No choice.

Tangled123 · 18/09/2024 02:50

I drove right up until my due date and I’m 5 ft 1. I think my bump was fairly small though and I don’t remember it being close to the steering wheel at all.

edit: my husband drove both of us to my induction the next day.

Nat6999 · 18/09/2024 02:40

I drove until the day I started with pre eclampsia at 36 weeks, had an emcs at 36+5 & was back driving due to necessity as exh had just been diagnosed with MS 2 weeks afterwards.

CriticalThinker · 18/09/2024 00:11

Never stopped. Was still driving at 42weeks when I was induced.