Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

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

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Would you drive yourself to appt at 40 weeks?

54 replies

LateBear · 25/11/2013 19:42

How far into your pregnancy are you intending to drive? I have an obs appt for 40 weeks, I've been driving myself to all appointments so far but suddenly thought I might get DH to take me to that one (if I'm still going at 40 weeks!)

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MirandaWest · 25/11/2013 21:12

I drove up until 40+3 with DD - went to hospital appointment about 15 miles away and ended up having a sweep. XH (then DH) either had a migraine or was at work. Did let him drive me he next day when I was in labour though

Jbck · 25/11/2013 21:29

DD2 I had a sweep at 39 +1, wasn't planned so on my own, never even thought about driving home.

Drove to Morrisons at 40 + 5 with DD1, my Dad was phoning frantically as I was out for an hour.

If there's no physical reason (can't reach the wheel, SPD) it's more about how you feel.

Doctorbrownbear · 25/11/2013 21:32

I drove until the day I had DD at 41 weeks...

Eastpoint · 25/11/2013 21:37

I drove up until 41+5 with dd1, until the day when I had ds1 I sold my car at 11am & went into labour at 1.30, baby was born at 1940, until 41+6 with dd2, waters broke in the night.

Ditsydebs · 25/11/2013 22:17

I drove while in labour! Wouldn't advise it though!

Xmasbaby11 · 25/11/2013 22:25

I wasn't v comfy after about 36 weeks and think I just walked and took taxis.

thenightsky · 25/11/2013 22:38

Drove right up until 6 hours before DD was born. For the last 3 weeks I drove around with a plastic sheet on my car seat though, just in case my waters went.

123rd · 25/11/2013 22:53

Was driving right up to the day of both DC 40 + 5/6

NancyinCali · 25/11/2013 22:57

I drove all the way up to 41w. Had acupuncture that day and contractions on the drive home. Baby took another 2 days to arrive though.

breatheslowly · 25/11/2013 22:57

My DM insisted on driving me after about 38 weeks and I couldn't be bothered to argue. However I think I might have been safer driving myself .

ceeveebee · 25/11/2013 22:59

I couldn't drive after about 32 weeks - I'm 5ft tall so need the seat moved as far forward as possible and I had twins so was wider than I was tall! Had to get the bus/train to my antenatal appointments instead

ElectricalBanana · 25/11/2013 23:01

I drove myself to hospital on a Sunday for a daily ctg and bp check. I stayed in.

I drove home with new baby two days later

H didn't drive.

I went home and scrubbed the kitchen floor and within 2 weeks I was in a mother and baby unit with puerperal psychosis

BrianTheMole · 25/11/2013 23:02

Yes I drove whilst I was having contractions. Got caught out there! But I found it amazingly easy to ignore them and concentrate on the road. Needs must and all that. Luckily I was only a few mins from home when it started. I drove again the next day after ds was born. But we are all different. Just don't go too far from home.

ElectricalBanana · 25/11/2013 23:07

Sorry about my outburst....

Katiejon · 26/11/2013 05:56

I wouldn't drive to appt in case u have sweep. V painful afterwards.
Electrical, how r u now?

ettiketti · 26/11/2013 05:59

Yes definitely. I drove myself when they finally realised I was 42+2 and needed inducing that day

MiserableCowWhenUpTheDuff · 26/11/2013 06:14

I'm 9 days overdue and it hadnt even crossed my mind until I read this that I shouldn't be driving!

Ive got 3 other boys and they play sports almost every day so I've been taxi'ing them around and watching them play without a thought... But what a great excuse! Hmmm?! ;-)

Monkeyandanimal · 26/11/2013 06:44

Yes, i'm still driving every day at 39+6 and i see no reason to stop; i've got a 3.5 year old and a 2 year old and we have to get out and about; things have to get done! Nursery runs etc. They have been coming to all my midwife appointments too (fun and relaxing they are not), and will be coming to the next if baby hasn't arrived before that. Might put a towel on the seat at this stage though...

peachypips · 26/11/2013 12:01

Of course! Even if you start contracting you won't have the baby so quickly you couldn't get home.

Windywinston · 26/11/2013 22:27

I think the guidance is that if you can fit behind the steering wheel you're ok to drive. I had to stop driving at 38 weeks as I'm very short so need my seat to be pretty close to the steering wheel. If the bump is touching the steering wheel I personally wouldn't drive.
It was a pain not being able to drive though!

Ohhelpohnoitsa · 26/11/2013 23:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CointreauVersial · 27/11/2013 00:21

I drove while in labour. I got bored during the early stages, and drove round to a friend's house for tea. After a couple of hours, things were starting to speed up, so I got back into my car to drive home. I then scraped the whole side of my (new) car against her garden wall.

It was such a shock my labour stopped completely for two hours. It started again eventually, and DD2 arrived at 4am the next morning.

Not recommended.

schokolade · 27/11/2013 04:39

Personally I probably wouldn't at 40 weeks if there was a reasonable alternative (DH/Mum driving, very easy bus route). I'm 32 weeks and it's just starting to get awkward to look over my shoulder. I can imagine that in a few weeks it will be nearly impossible.

But it doesn't really matter what everyone else did or didn't do. It all depends how YOU feel in the car. If e.g. you can't reach the peddles easily then of course you shouldn't drive. If you feel out of control or unsafe, don't drive.

QuietNinjaTardis · 27/11/2013 08:26

I'm 39+2 and baby is down low which is a bit uncomfortable now and also the braxton hicks are quite distracting so a, cutting down as much as I can. I stopped driving before I stopped work with ds as very painfu spd and carpal tunnel which meant I didn't feel safe or comfortable.

rallytog1 · 27/11/2013 08:45

I drove until 40 + 11 with no problems (dd arrived at 40 + 12).

Flip

1 2 3