Fitting Behind The Steering Wheel

[LouisaJF]

I'm 26 weeks at the moment, and trying to work out how you cope in the car when you get bigger.

My bump is already substantial, and I am quite concerned that because of stubby legs I have to sit quite close to the steering wheel. What do I do when I get bigger? If I move the seat back, my legs won't reach the pedals. I have tried to lower the back of my seat but have found I already have it on the maximum.

I work 25 miles from home so I really need my car.

Check and see if your steering wheel is adjustable - you may be able to make it higher which would move it away from the bump.

I had this problem. Our steering wheel went in and out so I drove up to 38+1 (when I finished for Mat Leave), but it was getting tight. See if yours does the same, x.

I've checked and the steering wheel is as high and far back as it will go.

Looks like I'll have to resort to a shoe horn to get me in and out soon!

If the steering wheel rests against your bump then its dangerous to drive and you are advised not to. Mostly because if you have an accident the steering wheel can do all sorts of untold damage . As a long legged and long armed person Ive never had to worry about it and have been able to drive right up until the end.

Confused.coms advice on driving whilst pregnant

as a fellow shortarse this has been one of my concrns, at 25/40 it already feels like a bit of an effort and im in and out of the car all day. Am ditching work at 34 weeks so driving becomes optional!

I have twins and managed to drive up to the day i went into hospital at 36 weeks. I was huge. The trick is to wear boots or shoes with a thick sole to give extra length, im 5ft 2 and to play with the seat and steering wheel. You can also recline the seat slightly just to give a wee bit more space. When i was about 20 weeks i really thought i only had a couple more weeks before i just wouldnt fit anymore but i managed

can you lower your seat? that should give you some more room.

Remember your bump shape changes during the day. I used to adjust my seat in the morning and after work I would notice that my bump was touching the steering wheel. Or vice versa.
Also, if as you get bigger you may find it easier to put your seat back to get in and out of the car.

i had this issue. i about about 5'1 to 5'2, have to have my seat as far forward as it will go in order to safely reach/use the pedals. I have a focus with an adjustable steering wheel, but it was already as high as it would go. Apart from very necessary journeys like going to my midwife appointments, i did not drive from the 3rd Sept (DS was due mid nov but was born 5th Nov) so i guess i would have been about 30 weeks when i stopped? this was on the midwife/doctors orders, they said if the wheel is close to your bump (in my case it wasn't just close, it was pressing into the bump slightly!!) then if you were involved in an accident, it's not just about the damage the steering wheel could do to your unborn baby, but also the damage that the airbag would do.

Sadly i could not find any solution to be able to keep driving, and am wondering if there is a better car for us to own that would have an even higher steering wheel or more inset into dashboard so that i can drive safely for longer in my next pregnancy. Bit drastic but that is all we can think of.

Mine is a focus too, and I'm the same, I've moved every setting as far as I can. At the moment the wheel is about an inch from my bump. I really don't know what I'm going to do if I can't drive.