Driving for work while pregnant

[EJT91]

Hi everyone, I’m just looking for some advice on where I stand with my job whilst pregnant. I’m currently only 9 + 4, but the other day I did a total of 8 hours of driving before I’d even done any work. I also had to keep stopping because of nausea, needing the toilet and just generally needing to stretch my legs. It naturally made me think about how things will be when I’m further along? Will I still be expected to drive for that amount of time. I’m currently out 2-3 days a week and the hours of driving can vary between 5-8 hours, depending on where I’m going. The other 2-3 days I work remotely. I’ve tried looking online but from what I can see, it says unless you have a medical reason as to why you can’t drive then you should be fine, right up to 36/37 weeks. I just can’t help but think it can’t be good for you sat in that position for such long periods of time when pregnant? I’m then still expected to carry out meetings on top of those driving hours, which is a full working day in itself. I’ve obviously not told my employer I’m pregnant yet and don’t intend on doing until after my 12 week scan, so just looking for some advice really!

Until you tell your employer there isn't much you can do. Once you tell them, they need to do a risk assessment with you, during which you can discuss if there are alternatives (shorter driving distances? more breaks? not driving at all).

I can't see any reason why it would be harmful, but doesn't sound comfortable. I don't think it's OK you should have to do all that driving on top of your work hours, pregnant or not. Until you tell them, you can't do much though - once you tell them, they should do a risk assessment. Do you have the option to take public transport instead, so you can move around and also do work whilst travelling.

I don’t mind the driving so much as it’s not everyday, I’m just thinking of further down the line when it might become more uncomfortable. Unfortunately public transport isn’t an option as the area I cover is quite remote so would take a lot longer to get there and back, so I’d end up doing a 14-15 hour day, which again is far from ideal! Once I’ve told them and get the risk assessment, hopefully they will come to the conclusion themselves that the amount of travel will be difficult later on.

Thank you. I’ve had 4 miscarriages previously and this is the furthest I’ve ever gotten with a pregnancy so probably just worrying about the impact it could potentially have further down the line the bigger I get. The days are so long when I’m out and the fatigue is only going to get worse!

OP, this might be helpful just for background - its not specific to driving but does cover that they need to consider sitting for a long time without a break (which driving would cover). I'm desk-based but wfh and in my risk assessment is an acknowledgement of more, short breaks for moving around

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/maternity-and-parental-rights/check-your-maternity-and-parental-rights/rights-while-pregnant-or-on-maternity-leave/rights-while-youre-pregnant-at-work/

Also, if you need to take sick leave because of nausea when driving just do it (I wouldn't have been able to be doing those long drives during my first trimesters!)

Thank you, I will have a read of this! I work in a predominantly male environment and I’m the only female in my role, so I’m not expecting a positive response! It was a huge struggle during the first trimester, especially early on and I definitely sat in plenty of service station toilets contemplating my job choice 😂

If you find they are difficult once you tell them, Pregnant and Screwed are meant to be great for helping you advocate for your rights / know your legal position. Hopefully wont be needed

I sometimes do a lot of driving in my job but not as often as you OP but my employer know I'm pregnant now and I have told them it's uncomfortable to do long distance driving for me (as well as the nausea) and they are happy for me to only do what I need to.

They should be reasonable with you once you advise them of the pregnancy and once risk assessment is completed. You can advise them how uncomfortable it is and it definitely will get worse for being uncomfortable when time goes on so maybe set the stall out now.