Driving in third trimester

[Motherof1and2dogs]

I was just wondering what others would do in this situation, so I am 34 weeks pregnant today, I am due to go to my friends UK hen do which is an hour away and then will be driving back that same day, however I have just read somewhere that you should avoid going out alone and avoid driving if in your third trimester which has put me off a little. How true is this?
I just feel like I can’t miss this and let her down again! I have already not been able to go to her hen do abroad last month, and cannot attend her wedding in August which is also abroad and I was supposed to be a bridesmaid :( she is my best friend but of course if it is far too risky I will try to get a lift there and back.

I couldn't fit behind the damm wheel.

I also couldn't cope with gear changing and peddles up and down. Baby didnt like it. It was alright in the automatic.

OP is saying she has ‘heard’ women in their 3rd trimester shouldn’t go out or drive alone!! It’s objectively mental.

I think where you are driving too is the issue more than whether or not you are driving. I'm 34 weeks and yesterday needed to drive 90 minutes for work. It was an hour down motor way and 30 minutes down rural country roads. I felt fine but now won't be doing it again in case anything was to happen and I panic. I wouldn't want to get myself into a position where I have to pull up on hard shoulder or somewhere far away and unfamiliar. However I am comfortable continuing to drive to families houses, supermarkets, local dog walking spots etc, as if anything was to happen I'm local, it's easy to pull up. And I can just ring someone to meet me or leave car get taxi etc.

So basically you don't need a blanket ban. But from 34/35 weeks onwards I woild be apprehensive about how far from home/hospital i travel on my own.

One of my neighbours when I was a child cycled to the maternity hospital for the birth of her second and third children.

I really hope not as I'm about to sit my driving test at 39+2!

It's totally fine

I was driving up until the day I went into labour (41 weeks). I credit a bumpy pot hole road for kick starting labour!! I also regularly drove an hour and a half for days out between 35 and 38 weeks (when I started mat leave) with no issue. Just had plans in place in case anything happened. Hospital bag and car seat in the car. Knowing where the nearest hospital was to the location etc.

I'd go. Take your notes and maybe plan a stop half way for a break. I found the hour and a half drive I did I needed a break at a services for a toilet stop and leg stretch.

I drove until about 10 days before DD due as I was a bit worried about getting myself back if I went into labour whilst I was out. In third tri I was still commuting 1.5 hours each way several times a week by car then train, but I did carry my notes and I had a plan with my partner regarding how to get back, have my car collected from the station etc.

I’ve never heard this. I’m 38 weeks and I’m still roaming around in my car as normal. Was working until yesterday. The third trimester starts at 28 weeks, what are people who work supposed to do , get chauffeured everywhere ? I live an hour away from work.

That seems madness. At 38 weeks I did notice that my reaction times on my bicycle were off and I was making mistakes. I wouldn't have fancied driving then. I live somewhere where cycling is safer than driving before everyone jumps on me for being irresponsible

I drove up to the day I gave birth at 42 weeks.

Maybe bring someone with you?

I drove to a growth scan at 41 weeks. I decided to stop driving longer distances at around 35 weeks as I had awful brain fog. I drove for about an hour and had zero recollection of the journey afterwards, which scared me a bit, but I was fine short distances. Another friend stopped earlier as they were only 5ft 2 and had a really huge bump so she couldn't reach the pedals to drive without her bump being uncomfortably squashed against the steering wheel.

If you're comfortable in the seat and confident you are fine. If you aren't feeling it, also fine.

Where did you read that? From a health professional or someone else?

My DH doesn’t drive so I was driving until the day before I had the baby and next drove with a nine day old (had to get a taxi home from the hospital!). Many women are driving to work until 38 or 39 weeks so it wouldn’t be practical to avoid driving in the third trimester?!

For goodness sake you’re pregnant not incapable of driving an hour away, you’re not going to mars. Use your common sense and don’t listen to whatever waffle some people have to share. If you’re low risk having a normal pregnancy and feel up to it then you’re fine 🙄

I convinced DP to let me drive to the hospital because I didn’t know when I’d be able to drive again 😂😂😂

You’ll be fine, just plan for toilet breaks, pack water and a snack in case of traffic, and take your maternity notes. Enjoy!

I stopped driving more than an hour away at week 37 (had all of my babies at week 38), no worries before that for me

I drove myself to hospital to have my 2nd. My waters had broken at home and I was due an elective section due to DS2 being breech and big, I was having contractions and just pulled over to get through them. It was only a short drive along a residential road at approx 3am, and my Ex had to stay at home to wait for our childcare to arrive. I think DS2 was delivered about 2 hours after I drove in

I drove the day of delivery in both my pregnancies. Only stopped once in active labour. But could have got myself to hospital if needed.

I flew long haul twice at 8 months. It’s not a disease.

I stopped driving around 36 weeks but I'm shorter so need the sear close to the wheel, and it was no longer comfortable. You should be fine.

If u can go to a hen do u can drive dear me u r pregnant not an invalid Ur well enough to go to hen do but not well enough to drive

No it isn't. But 2 of my friends had emergencies in the 3rd trimester, one had a severe bleeding episode at 35 weeks which meant she was rushed into hospital and had to stay in hospital for 2 weeks till baby was delivered, and another went into labour at 36 weeks and baby was out within 2 hours of labour starting. So it's quite reasonable for women to want to consider how far from home they are comfortable being in late pregnancy.

I had no idea? My friend had to stop as she couldn’t fit behind the wheel, so I had to drive her to work 😂and back.