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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

At what stage during pregnancy did you stop driving?

85 replies

justbeingmummy · 01/02/2011 18:13

I cant remember exactly with my DC1 but I think it was about 36 weeks, im only 31 at the mo with DC2 but already having clutch issues cos my belly is getting in the way.
Just wondered when you all stopped?

OP posts:

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toddlerama · 01/02/2011 20:37

I had to stop around 30 weeks. I'm quite short and bump was HUUUGE (polyhydroamnius sp?), so I couldn't reach the pedals and fit behind the wheel. Was embarassing. It happened quite suddenly too. Tried to get in to go to meet a client and couldn't do it. I spent ages adusting everything and getting enraged before I gave up and asked for a lift...

Original poster

justbeingmummy · 01/02/2011 22:25

I dont think you have to and I think its great (and lucky) that most of you didnt have to. I hated not being able to drive with DC1 cos I had no one else to drive me anywhere so started getting the bus and had to waddle to the bus stop
Im ok at the moment even tho Im measuring 3 weeks bigger but am finding it more and more difficult where my bump is getting in the way when trying to change gears etc and will give up altogether when I dont feel happy driving but just wondered about everyone else. x

OP posts:

nunnie · 01/02/2011 22:28

After my EMCS. I had no issues with the belt, and because my legs are stupidly gangly my seat is quite far back, so would have to be huge for my belly to affect steering ETC.

PoledrathePissedOffFairy · 01/02/2011 22:31

Never stopped, but do know a short arsed friend who did, as she found it too difficult.

Only problem I had was the day I went to get into my car after my mum had borrowed it. She's 7" shorter than me, and had moved the seat forwards. I couldn't get my arse on the seat to shift it backwards, and it was quite a struggle to get bent down far enough to reach the little lever underneath

Bumperrlicious · 01/02/2011 23:45

To be far I think some pg women should give up! I was so tired I bummed into the back of a taxi, plus some how the minute I get pg I lose all ability to park - it must be something hormonal!

That said at 30 weeks I was driving a large transit van when we moved house!

CherryPie3 · 01/02/2011 23:55

pissedofffairy - exactly the same happened to me (although not my mum)!

I drove right up until the day my waters broke, I would've drove then but my dh very much needed something else to focus on as it was 11pm and he was sh***g bricks. I would have expected a little more composure as it was dc3 for us .

Couldn't drive with dc1 and 2, dc3 born at 36 weeks but bump was very very huge, as he was a very very big baby (for 36wks anyway) - 8lbs 4oz!!

hastingsmum · 01/02/2011 23:58

Still driving now at 40+ weeks, but I remember giving up cycling with my first at 30 something weeks as it was uncomfortable

suiledonne · 01/02/2011 23:58

On dd2 I did one of my driving test at 36 weeks. Failed. Was very disappointed as everyone told me even if I messed it all up they would pass me out of sympathy.

In my defence my car had no power steering and I just couldn't manage the reverse around a corner manouver.

I had to stop after that as I had high BP and wasn't well enough.

NoWayNoHow · 01/02/2011 23:59

I didn't - in fact, I drove myself to the hospital when my waters broke. Admittedly hospital was at the bottom of my road, and I was on a pile of about 17 towels, but couldn't wait for DH to get back from work as there was a risk of cord prolapse with my pregnancy.

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 02/02/2011 00:05

When I went into labour; they'd specifically reminded us at antenatal classes not to attempt to drive ourselves in (apparently some women do...)

My mother passed her driving test at 39+6 when pregnant with me (apparently the examiner looked completely terrified and signalled the emergency stop when right in front of the hospital).

NeedCoffee · 02/02/2011 00:21

I didn't, still did it up until she was born.

Scruffyhound · 02/02/2011 12:03

Im still driving now (31weeks) and will until Im due or go into labour. Could not drive with last pregnancy for the first 7 months due to disslocating my knee cap! Ewwww!! I drove 2 days after giving birth had stitches but needed to get some stuff!

PinkElephant73 · 02/02/2011 13:10

never mind giving up driving, I gave up walking at about 32 weeks (well more than round the shops kind of walking). walking the kids to school would exhaust me for the rest of the day. I couldnt manage without the car at all.

TooImmature2BMum · 02/02/2011 17:45

I saw this thread yesterday and thought I was fine, until this afternoon when I had my first road rage incident. I'm 35+6, and I only passed my test about 4 months ago, so I can't compare it with my non-pregnant driving style. Basically, I'm not sure who was in the wrong, me or a taxi driver, but his reaction was to gesticulate angrily at me while mouthing aggressively, so I gave him the fingers...Yes, I know. It was highly mature of me. He then threatened to get out of his car (he would have had to abandon it in the middle of a busy road, so it wasn't exactly rational of him either), by opening his door and making threatening gestures, while I went come on then! Want to make something of it? Seriously, you're going to get over here and try to punch a 5'2" 8 months pregnant woman in front of the giant queue of fascinated onlookers? He backed down and drove away, and I proceeded to sob almost all the way home. I can go from furiously angry to unquenchable tears in a nanosecond even when I'm not pregnant.

So perhaps the time has come to stop driving...unless I'm very well-rested.

zebedeethezebra · 02/02/2011 19:34

I didn't stop either.

oooggs · 02/02/2011 19:36

I drove myself to hospital in labour with dc1 & dc4 and I drove to my induction at 38 weeks with dts.

I didn't realise people stopped driving - maybe it depends on your car. I have an MPV so high up and lots of room.

bibbitybobbityhat · 02/02/2011 19:37

How does being pregnant stop you driving?

bandgeek · 02/02/2011 19:38

I drove up until I had DS, and stopped at about 30 weeks with DD as I wrote the car off

Catsmamma · 02/02/2011 19:43

I was having lessons, all through my pregnancy....passed my test at 8½ month pg! :D

We think that's why ds1 sailed through his lessons and passed first time! :D

sleepwhenidie · 02/02/2011 19:44

Clutch issues? That would be the clutch you operate with your foot ? - how would belly stop your leg working?!

thisisyesterday · 02/02/2011 19:51

i didn't stop driving at all with any of them.

Eglu · 02/02/2011 21:36

sleepwhenidie I'm not sure who mentioned clutch issues, but when pg with DS1 I had a car with a very heavy clutch that hurt my back. I think because of loosening ligaments. It didn't stop me driving but was prettty uncomforatble.

hastingsmum · 02/02/2011 22:58

I must admit using the handbrake can be a bit tricky, struggling to get that far down with my big bump

preghead · 02/02/2011 23:03

The day I went into labour. Driving againfew days later. I didnt realise people did either. Still had to do school run. TBH I used to find driving comparatively less uncomfortable than walking towards the end (SPD) and drove everywhere, even round the corner to shops.

Hattie05 · 02/02/2011 23:06

Why do you ask? are you supposed to?

I never do stop driving, although my first was 2 weeks late and i stopped past my due date, because someone mentioned you may not be insured. Any truth in it i don't know, but i didn't need to use the car so didn't back then.

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