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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:
UpUpUpU · 17/09/2024 19:15

This was me at 36 weeks and the last time I drove (Fiat 500 and I’m 5ft 1in). I physically couldn’t turn the wheel anymore as my bump was against it. Like you, couldn’t reach pedals if I pushed seat any further back 😂😂

Stop when you are uncomfortable or it doesn’t feel safe for you anymore.

To ask when you stopped driving in pregnancy?
SugarandSpiceandAllThingsNaice · 17/09/2024 19:14

I stopped at 12 weeks because I kept fainting. Wasn’t safe to drive when I could lose consciousness at any moment.

PlantDoctor · 17/09/2024 19:14

TerroristToddler · 17/09/2024 19:12

Is it a thing to stop?! If so I didn't know about it.

I even drove to hospital on the day of my c section as I knew it'd be a while till I could drive again afterwards!

I'm 5ft 2 and was a beached whale in my second pregnancy! People would stop me in the street and exclaim in shock (how kind of them...!)

Haha cross posted with a drive to c section for the same reason!

PlantDoctor · 17/09/2024 19:13

Drove myself to my c section appointment 😂i figured it was the last chance I'd get to drive for a while.

Lemonnhoney · 17/09/2024 19:13

I drove myself to the hospital after my waters started leaking 😂

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 17/09/2024 19:12

I drove right up until the end on both pregnancies. I personally don't know of anyone stopping driving while pregnant x

TerroristToddler · 17/09/2024 19:12

Is it a thing to stop?! If so I didn't know about it.

I even drove to hospital on the day of my c section as I knew it'd be a while till I could drive again afterwards!

I'm 5ft 2 and was a beached whale in my second pregnancy! People would stop me in the street and exclaim in shock (how kind of them...!)

Stresshead84x · 17/09/2024 19:10

I didn't, I'm 5'2 and had big bumps but I also have longish legs for my height so I always fitted. I did worry a bit though about the steering wheel but I'd rather be the driver and know I was driving carefully I think.

3luckystars · 17/09/2024 19:09

I didn’t stop.

PlayDadiFreyr · 17/09/2024 19:09

Drove to the hospital.

Sitting in the driver's seat on the way home was the most comfortable I'd felt since I drove in.

hobbledyhoy · 17/09/2024 19:08

I remember this used to be a thing when I was younger (90's) I remember a few of my friends mum's when pregnant would stop driving as they got bigger. I think it's quite archaic now and I've never stopped driving with either of mine.

Boleynforsoup · 17/09/2024 19:07

I never stopped. Drove myself to the hospital (5 minutes away) whilst in labour 😅

Chillimuma · 17/09/2024 19:07

Week 38 which was a couple of days before I gave birth each time. Purely because I was too exhausted to go anywhere

Overthebow · 17/09/2024 19:07

I didn’t stop, I drove to my appointment the day before I had ds. I don’t know anyone that did stop, didn’t realise it was a thing.

rayofsunshine86 · 17/09/2024 19:06

I drove myself to the hospital to give birth 😆

Brieonlybrie · 17/09/2024 19:06

pretty much until the end. But I didn't drive myself to hospital in labour.

WimbyAce · 17/09/2024 19:05

I didn't stop driving. Did over an hour round trip alone 4 days before I gave birth for a scan (April 2020). Wouldn't have crossed my mind to stop driving tbh.

DrinkElephants · 17/09/2024 19:04

I stopped at around 35 weeks not because of size but I was in pain. Pushing the clutch down really hurt as I had constant pain on the left hand side of my uterus from early on and the bigger I got the more it hurt. I remember driving home from an appointment crying and when I got home I told my husband I wasn’t driving anymore and I didn’t. I barely moved the last 6 weeks though, only comfy position was lying on my side.

Swiftyvonlifty · 17/09/2024 19:00

I drive myself to the hospital the day before my c section as my husband wasn't allowed to come with me (pandemic times). I was 41+3, 5 ft 3 and had a 10lb+ baby!

I just adjusted my steering wheel.

DMCWelshcakes · 17/09/2024 18:58

When I literally didn't fit.

Lady1576 · 17/09/2024 18:56

Never stopped or even thought about it. The advice I was given was to make sure the belt goes below bump so that if it is activated in a collision it will exert pressure over the hips rather than onto the baby bump.

Mari2003 · 17/09/2024 18:56

DC1: 5 hours before birth
DC2: 18 hours before birth

DC1 was driving and having contractions as I thought they were Braxton hicks 🤣

CatamaranViper · 17/09/2024 18:55

I'm 5'2 with very short legs and I was about 32 weeks when I stopped for the exact same reason.
At 34 weeks my bump was squashed against the wheel (I didn't drive, just sat in the driver's seat to see).

Oakcupboard · 17/09/2024 18:54

I didn’t stop at all - also 5ft with short legs

Chocolateorange22 · 17/09/2024 18:52

Erm during labour, didn't realise that's what it was (FTM). Driving home and the oh shit thought crossed my mind. With DS he was 10lb and I physically couldn't get in and be able to reach the pedals from about 35 weeks.