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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

I can't drive!

26 replies

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 15:02

I am 30 and can't drive, had some lessons in my early 20's but didn't finish as I moved to London, worked long hours and didn't really need a car.

However, I am now 3 months pregnant with twins and think I will really struggle without passing my driving test.

Do you think I'll be able to learn in time?, is it safe learning whilst pregnant? will I have concentration issues?

Any advice gratefully received

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

nagoo · 30/05/2010 15:06

My friend did it after finding out she was pg when 6 months gone, so it's possible.

I found learning to drive really hard when I was older (23 after giving up when I was 17) but that is because I'm used to being good at things and I was shit at driving.

Why don't you book a lesson to see how you feel?

sunndydays · 30/05/2010 15:08

If you can find the money there are week intensive courses you can do, I wouldn't be able to survive without my car (but then I live in Sussex and buses only run every hour between 8 and 6 and that's if you're lucky!) I think you should have plenty of time if you do two hours a week? hth

japhrimel · 30/05/2010 15:14

I'd learn quickly before you get too big. If you can't fit comfortably behind the wheel, you're supposed to stop driving so it depends on the car, how long your legs and arms are and how big your bump is. I have to sit quite far under our steering wheel to reach the pedals so don't think I'll be driving in the 3rd trimester at all!

weegiemum · 30/05/2010 15:14

You can survive without it.

I have 3 kids now aged 6, 8 and 10 and have never been able to drive.

Even with 3 under 4, I used buses, trains etc ... it s was never a problem.

But I had a pretty "can do" attitude - always have.

If not, you do still have time. I'd like to learn sometime, but at pushing 40, I'm not sure it will ever happen!

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 15:33

Thanks, I think I'll book a lesson and see how I feel. Nagoo - the real reason I think I didn't finish my driving lessons the first time, was that I also didn't enjoy not being good straight away and found it quite frustrating

weegiemum - I too have a "can do" attitude and pretty good transport links where I live, so I'm sure I'll be ok. I just think if I don't do it now maybe I never will. Think you should have a lesson too and we can start a leaving to drive club

OP posts:

Lia1977 · 30/05/2010 15:48

I passed my test when I was 21 yrs old (im now 33) but Ive never driven after that. Im nearly 23 weeks pregnant and have booked 10 lessons. Hopefully it will be enough! It's never too late!

MrsRhettButler · 30/05/2010 15:54

lia, you passed your test but never drove!?

whoingodsnameami · 30/05/2010 15:56

I started driving lessons at 30, and passed my test the day before my 31st birthday.

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 16:21

Thanks

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LadyintheRadiator · 30/05/2010 16:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lia1977 · 30/05/2010 16:43

My parents paid for my license (I was a student). When I passed the test I couldnt afford a car and my dad didnt trust my driving skills to lend me his. Slowly I just lost my confidence. I can still drive, a couple of weeks ago I had a go at my husband's car in a quiet road but I lack confidence in traffic.

LittleSilver · 30/05/2010 19:10

I took lessons throughout my last pg, including taking 7 tests through the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (including one lesson at 40+2) Why wouldn't it be safe just because you're pg {confused], you're as safe as you are ever going to be in a car.

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 19:28

Worried I will be rubbish at it I suppose and trying to use pregnancy as an excuse , going to bite the bullet and book a lesson!

OP posts:

sunshiney · 30/05/2010 19:32

Some people, such as me, fit fine behind the wheel all the way through but I have two issues with driving at 40 weeks. Namely pregnancy related loss of concentration, and also that it's very difficult to twist in your seat to see behind you when reversing.

Granted the loss of concentration may not afffect everyone!

You could certainly get your licence in 3 or 4 months, but you would have to really push yourself in terms of building road confidence.

Two years ago I had not driven for ten years since moving to the uk. I got my road confidence back in two weeks but I really had to challenge myself to be brave and take journeys I didn't feel ready for.

Good luck with the twins!

carolondon · 30/05/2010 19:35

I would advise you to book your theory test now. I did this and passed it 5 months preg! im am going to do the practical part in a weeks intensive course when baby is here. (mum has kindly offered to baby sit). The reason i did the theory is you can't book a practical test until you have done the theory.
Good luck!

MrsChemist · 30/05/2010 19:38

I started learning when I was pregnant, and it's taken me over a bloody year to be good enough to actually pass (but that's just me not being good).

I drove up until about 37 weeks though without trouble.

Have my driving test in a week.

Wish me luck!

littleducks · 30/05/2010 19:41

I think you might find it a struggle to get twins on and off public transport, i didnt pass till dd was 3 and ds 1 so did take a phil and teds on and off public transport (and it contributed to me getting organised and passing!) but i think two small babies would be harder

Egg · 30/05/2010 19:49

I passed my test age 18 but stopped driving age 20 (my car died and could not afford a new one, and lived in London so no real need). I didn't drive for ten years.

When I was pregnant with DS1 at the age of 30 I did some refresher lessons and re-learnt to drive. I found it really scary (had never found it scary when young) but was determined not to not be able to drive once I had DS1.

I did then have twins two years later. I am eternally grateful I can drive, even though we only use the car once a week or less (am lucky enough to live v near town / nursery / park etc so can walk everywhere).

I would definitely try it. You can definitely learn in time, or could do those crash courses and learn in a week of intensive lessons. I was 5 months pregnant when I had my refresher lessons.

Double buggies on buses etc are not fun .

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 19:58

Thanks everyone, I am lucky in that I am in walking distance of most things really, and I love to walk. Don't think I'd need to use the car that much, but think it's definitely time.
The year of turning 30 is going to be my year, so far I've got engaged, got pregnant and now found out I'm expecting twins. Going to add learnt to drive hopefully [hmmm]

OP posts:

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 19:58

OP posts:

Egg · 30/05/2010 20:04

Just to add, my BIL only learnt to drive in the UK (had US licence but then didn't drive here for ten or more years) last year aged 40ish and he passed first time.

My sister had spent years being the only driver, and having to ferry the children to various events etc, always being the one driving for holidays and days out etc, and now BIL drives too it has made life so much easier for them.

Whereabouts are you in London?

Original poster

Lavitabella · 30/05/2010 20:13

In between St Margarets & Old isleworth, but it's a 25 minute walk into Richmond or Twickenham. Very close to the river

OP posts:

DomesticG0ddess · 01/06/2010 13:22

You should definitely try to do it now, while you can! I was in the same position and passed my test when I was 7 months pregnant and 31. I was due in November and started lessons in the June I think. I had 2-3 2 hour lessons per week, didn't really do much other practice, but the 2 hour lessons were really good. I passed in the Sept. I had learnt before, about 5 years before that and failed a test, but really hadn't been ready or had as many lessons, so didn't actually expect to pass, and this time round I felt much more confident.

I didn't drive much after I passed, but a year later we moved out of London and I was so glad I had done it!!!

Good luck!

MadameG · 01/06/2010 13:46

I'm 6 months pregnant and started learning at 3 months- I'm now at test level after having about 3 or 4 lessons a week. So you can do it quite intensively. Not sure if I'll pass my test but if I don't I'll just have another bash.

I have found it okay, there was one day when I cried at the end of a lesson because I was putting way too much pressure on myself to master it all before the birth- hormones can make some days very emotional! If I were you, I'd just get started on it but not put yourself under the I-must-pass-before-the-baby-comes deadline, because the last thing you need while preggers is pressure, and if the worst comes to the worst, you can have a go or another go at the test soon after the baby is born, and it doesn't matter as you won't feel like going far soon after the birth anyway!!!

HelenaCC · 01/06/2010 14:57

I only passed at 26 and never really got into driving (cant park, hate motorways ) now 5 years later and pg I have been forcing myself to drive a lot more and having the motivation of being able to safely drive my nipper to nursery and drive to go to baby groups etc is really helping me do it. Its a good motivator and would highly recommend that you take this oppurtunity to at least start learning to drive now. If you do book theory test (a good idea) remember that you have a certain time limit before it expires.

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