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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Will I get so big that I can't drive?

30 replies

wawabear · 31/08/2014 12:50

This may sound a bit silly so bear with me... but I am scared that I will get so big that I won't be able to drive my car.

I am around a size 16, I have a Mercedes A Class. Will I get so big that the steering wheel goes into my bump. If I move my seat back then my feet won't reach the pedals!

What if I can't get to work? There is a train station near us but it's not walkable and my husband works shifts so he could collect me but not drop me off.

I'm only 8 weeks so there's plenty of time to work it out but I just wondered what other people's experiences were.

Many thanks and sorry if I sound silly xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

InculKate · 31/08/2014 12:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

wingcommandergallic · 31/08/2014 12:52

My bump was all at the front but I managed to get behind the wheel ok. Mind you, by 36 weeks or so, it was a bit uncomfortable so I let DP drive everywhere as I'd finished work at that point.

LocalVelvet · 31/08/2014 12:53

You'll be fine. I am not a delicate flower and had a giant bump at the end and could always drive

Lally112 · 31/08/2014 12:53

I doubt it. When I had my first I had an old banged up A reg escort and I fitted fine, even with the twins I still fitted in the jeep and in the same situation there - if I move the seat I cant reach the pedals. If it helps you actually do get pedal extenders thought, we looked into these when we thought it might come to it with the two of them.

Original poster

wawabear · 31/08/2014 13:01

Thanks all.

Wow pedal extenders might be the way forward - I had no idea you could get such a thing.

You won't believe this but I have been stressing about this all week. I thought I was going to have to get a taxi into work. My parents have a car but my mother has been remarkably disinterested and my father hasn't bothered himself to get in touch since he found out I was pregnant, so asking for a lift is kind of out of the question!

Many thanks again, one thing less to worry about xx

OP posts:

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 31/08/2014 13:01

I had a Mercedes SLK when pregnant. Getting in and out was difficult because of the low seat and long doors but I was fine to drive once I was in there. Drove myself to hospital at 38+5 then ended up having the baby. I was a size 16 pre pregnancy.

Mintyy · 31/08/2014 13:03

I'm really short and had an enormous bump with my ds. Strangers queued up to comment on it. But I could always drive.

InculKate · 31/08/2014 13:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TestingTestingWonTooFree · 31/08/2014 13:06

Probably off topic, but expecting to be the centre of attention just because you're pregnant is only likely to cause you heart ache. My dad is an excited and devoted grandad, I'm not sure that he particularly contacted me while I was pregnant. We spoke and saw each other quite often but generally at my instigation. I wouldn't keep a tally on it. My own grandparents have never phoned me I don't think, I phone them. Being pregnant is unlikely to limit your powers of communication.

wingcommandergallic · 31/08/2014 13:13

Don't worry, you stress about all sorts of mad things with your first baby.

Original poster

wawabear · 31/08/2014 13:21

Thanks for the advice really appreciate it.

I'm not expecting to be the centre of attention just because I am pregnant but I had expected my dad to at last pick up the one once in the past two weeks to congratulate me given that he is quite able to do so when he wants something! You're right, being pregnant has not limited my ability to communicate.

OP posts:

weebairn · 31/08/2014 13:40

Never had any problems driving right up to the end, just a bit uncomfortable sitting for long periods in the last weeks.

Bunbaker · 31/08/2014 13:41

Does your car have an adjustable steering wheel?

I had no problem driving when huge. I would think most people wouldn't.

Fairylea · 31/08/2014 13:44

I'm a size 16-18 and had a huge bump and still managed to drive myself and dh (non driver) to the hospital the day before my c section for my pre med appointment! (Didn't actually take any medication then, just a talk etc).

And I was in my Fiat seicento which is like the inbetweeners car!

DannyShouldHaveChosenRizzo · 31/08/2014 13:48

I am clearly in the minority then!
I couldn't drive from about 30 weeks as I couldn't physically fit behind the wheel and still reach the pedals.
I am short though and I was pregnant with MASSIVE twins.

Waggamamma · 31/08/2014 13:49

I'm a size 16/18. I'm now 39wks with massive bump (last baby 9lb+). I'm still driving with no issues at all. I wouldn't like to do a long drive now for comfort reasons, but local trips are not a problem.

slithytove · 31/08/2014 13:58

I'm fine, I think it's more of a height thing.
I'm size 16/18 and 5'5.

I do have a 5'1 friend who couldn't drive in the last month or so

squizita · 31/08/2014 14:30

I'm 5"2 and 38 weeks and can drive perfectly well. Had to lean back the seat a tiny bit, adjust the seat... but my feet easily reach the pedals and the seatbelt works fine round the bump. Getting in and out of the car is fricken hilarious to behold though and I have to be careful where I park (no walls or cars close by the driver side).
When not pregnant I go to CAMRA beer festivals, if some of those impressive beer bumps can drive so can we!

MagpieMama · 31/08/2014 14:47

I drove my MX5 right up until the day before my induction. I've always been strangely proud of that

polkadotdelight · 31/08/2014 14:52

Almost 38 weeks here, predicted big baby and it's all up front but driving is no problem. Getting in and out isn't much fun though. Are you planning on working all the way up to your due date? I finished at 34+4 so am just pootling about now.

Catsmamma · 31/08/2014 15:17

I passed my test at eight and a half months pg....and right from 4 months the midwife and GP had been forecasting a GIANT baby

In the end he was over 10lbs and second longest baby for the maternity hospital that year.....I am tall though so there's was plenty of room for him

Only difficulty I had was when pg with dd2...but that was a renault and I hate renaults, it was to do with manoeuvring rather than driving, bump wise she was not nearly as big.

Eatscones · 31/08/2014 16:32

I was overdue and still driving fine. Like others said, getting in and out of my car took a lil time...but I fit fine at 40+8 (all bump out front) into a lil car and I'm 5'2. This time still good to drive and I'm at 37+6.

amy83firsttimer · 31/08/2014 18:23

Wawabear - the lack of interest early on is.common amongst the older generation. They don't seem to really admit you're pregnant until 12 weeks - for one we always find out really early whereas they probably had to wait 2 missed periods then wait for an appointment with the GP. Secondly mums like to get past the "danger zone" before they let themselves get excited. Congratulations by the way - I'm sure the car situation will be fine though.

Shroomboom · 31/08/2014 19:22

I would have thought you should be fine to drive I had a massive bump, and was still driving the day before dd was born!

KitKat1985 · 31/08/2014 19:27

I'm 37 and a half weeks and still able to drive my fiesta without too much trouble. I have a fairly big bump too. I think most people manage okay but obviously it depends exactly on your size , height and what car you drive.

If you're worried about getting to work etc it might be worth factoring that in when planning your maternity leave.

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