Early labour and driving

[KatyN]

I meant to ask my mw this and totally forgot!

I'm currently 40+3 and sometimes I leave the house ALONE!! I worried the other day if I would be able to drive myself home if labour started while I was out? I'm hardly exploring far... Just 20minutrs or so away.

Thanks katy

I did!

Was at a friends house when my CX spec up considerably and drove home between them

Bit scary TBh

If it's your first baby you're likely to have a long build up to actual labour so it's unlikely that you'll be ready to drop while in public. However, I still don't think it's a good idea to go out on your own much at this stage apart from short walks. Definitely don't drive if you're having serious contractions - I couldn't even sit in the car while in labour, never mind drive it! It'll be a maximum of 11 days before baby arrives which I know seems like a long time but hang in there, you'll make it! Good luck :)

Going out on your own is fine but you need a plan about what happens if you do go into labour. You couldnt drive yourself it would be dangerous. Take your phone get friend or dh.to pick you up?

And don't forget taxi drivers! They are there to get you to where you want to go totally regardless of contractions. When I was nearing the end of my pregnancy I made sure I always had the taxi fare to the local hospital on me and the number of a reputable taxi firm.

I started contractions just before a planned tea out with friends that I'd been looking forward to for ages.

So I drove myself there (only a couple of miles away) and had a lovely afternoon.

Then the contractions started to get a little more frequent and a bit stronger, so I thought I'd get myself home. I walked back to my car (brand new) which was parked alongside a small wall. I reversed, but turned the wheel too quickly, and took a huge chunk out of the side of the car. The shock completely stopped my contractions, and I got back home in tears, because I knew how furious DH would be with me (he was).

bad idea, there was a 'contraction drive' on casualty last week which was for once quite realistic (not the birth, though).
taxis are not allowed to refuse transport btw. the last few weeks I always had the taxi fare in my wallet and a taxi number programmed onto the phone.

Sorry, I think this is one that has I can only answer with a big "don't do it!"

Yes, you might be fine. Or it might combine with some bad luck and be the day when you killed my DH as he was about to cross the road or whatever. I don't care about cars, insurance, anything like that. But you could RUIN people's lives by trying to make things a bit more convenient for yourself.

Don't think I don't feel your pain at your boundaries becoming 'as far as I can waddle'. I stopped driving at 37w and I'm 41+2 now.

Why did you stop driving at 37 weeks?

Because I was at term, had BH and thought it was irresponsible not to.

If bh were making it dangerous to drive that it a reason. Being in labour is a reason obviously but being 'term' isnt. Of course individuals can do what they like but there is no reason for a blanket driving ban at term if someone feels ok.

I drove right up to the evening my contractions started. I had no choice due to where we live. I think if you only go within 15 mins of the house, you'll be fine. Your contractions are unlikely to come on so strong that you are instantly incapacitated but, like others have said, have a taxi fare and a taxi number with you and leave the car if you need to go straight to hospital. Might also be worth having some plastic bags and an old towel with you too, in case your waters break and the taxi driver isn't too keen on having a soggy bottom on his seats!

I drove in very early labour, but would think twice again. I was 39+4 and had gone to my friends for tea, I spent all evening very uncomfortable, sore tummy etc and my friend asked several times if I was ok 'fine, just uncomfortable because I'm so huge', convinced I'd go over due (we even had a conversation about a mutual friend who had stopped driving at 8 months, agreeing she was crackers as we live in a v rural area and could pull over at first hint of trouble and call a taxi/friend). I got home, having been very very uncomfortable in the car, and my waters went and contractions started a couple of hours later. Had it happened while driving, I hope I would have stopped immediately and called someone. This time round I'll definitely be less blasé about hopping in my car as and when.

Good luck with your own new baby

I'm 37 weeks and still driving but no more than 10 mins local and slow journeys. If anything started, I can stop driving, call DH and get him to collect me. DS would either be in the car with me or at preschool so I'd get him collected - the ILs live 20 mins away, his nanny is 10 mins away.

However as I get closer to the due date, maybe next week, will ask DS's nanny to change days so she can drive DS so when I'm at home with him I don't need to drive at all. I've not had any major BHs and went 8 days over last time so not expecting anything just yet.

I've stopped driving (Not because I'm term which is usually 42 weeks for me) but because I've started to have signs of labour and I don't want to have to abandon car or, worse still, have my waters leak all over my lovely new car's seat.(My kids are not allowed to eat ANYTHING in my car due to the ingrained crumbs/raisins/random other foods in my last one) My DH drove us to a friend's 45 mins away and just being in the passanger seat sent me into (false) labour at the weekend!(I'm sitting on two bath towels and a mat pad in any car I travel in at mo!)

I am however walking miles every day (always with my phone, always with my mat notes and always into town so I'm not stuck on a lonely bridle path somewhere giving birth!)

I'm 39+5 btw and stopped driving last week!

I stopped driving around 37 weeks, mostly because my bump was too frigging huge to fit behind the wheel!