is it true that a woman can't drive a car after a certian point in her pregnancy?

PETA - posted on 08/29/2010

i;m 35 weeks and still drive every day.
i have my seat belt bucked up all the time so when i get in i just pull it over my head. i drive an auto so this helps.
i think as long as the s/wheel is not touching your belly, and you can still drive safetly. go and see the police and talk to your doctor, they will tell you

Barbara - posted on 08/12/2010

Samantha one of two things.
1). She tells you this to control you and keep you home
OR
2). In her day when she was pregnant it was believed that you couldn't drive.
I drove my care everywhere when I was pregnant with my two. The only thing that held me back a bit was my second was the horrible 24/7 nausea I had for the entire pregnancy. In fact when I got my stitches removed (c-sections both times) I was driving the next day like nothing. I was doing laundry, cooking etc etc like nothing. Talk to your doctor and tell her/him what your MIL told you. You might just give your doctor a good laugh. :-)

Belinda - posted on 08/07/2010

That's funny. I drove up until the day I went into labor. You can drive as long as you want but if you're already having contractions pretty regularly or your water has broken you may want to avoid driving because you wouldn't want to end up having an accident as a result of swerving or something form the pain of a contraction (you get the idea). Otherwise, it's fine to drive.

After you give birth, it varies based on your birth experience. I had a natural vaginal delivery with no issues and was instructed not to drive for 2 weeks. If you have a traumatic vaginal birth or a c-section your doctor may had different advice for you.

Amanda - posted on 08/07/2010

When I was pregnant with my so I drove the entire time with no problems. I probably could of driven myself to the hospital as well. I think ur mother in law is def tryin to scare u.

Samantha - posted on 08/07/2010

i drove all the way through my pregnancy u just have to have the seatbelt right and after giving birth its not that u cant drive u wont feel like driving

Raquel - posted on 08/06/2010

this is completely untrue. I was able to drive until the night before I went into labor. You aren't able drive if you are talking certain pain medications. I didn't drive until I was 3 weeks post delivery, but that was because we didn't really go out and my husband insisted on driving every where and still does.

Elizabeth - posted on 08/06/2010

it's bull. I'm 34wks as of yesterday and still drive. I prefer not to as it's uncomfortable to turn to look over my shoulders to my blind spots but other than that there are not issues to prevent me from driving. Belly deff doesn't get in the way for me as it only sticks out a little past my BB's. I even drove myself to the hospital the other day when I was having contractions (PTL since 28wks) with no issues.

Not sure about afterwards but I don't see any issues with it as long as you feel up to it and don't do any long trips.

Nicole - posted on 08/06/2010

With my second daughter I drove myself to the hospital the day I was induced but I was told NO driving for 2 weeks after birth.

Angelique - posted on 08/06/2010

Hi Samantha. My little one is 7 weeks old today. I found that a week before my due date I couldn't drive any more as it was becoming SUPER uncomfortable for me as it felt as though the little one was bracing herself against every possible organ in my body! That was the only reason I stopped driving before the birth. I also had a C-Section and didn't drive until 6 weeks afterwards... I must admit that I was seriously surprised at the strain put on your insides by just driving! I drove the day after my 6 week check up (which was a Thursday) and then landed up being sore and achy the whole weekend! I also thought that it was just a ploy... But seriously - I wouldn't drive before my 6 week check up if I were you as the strain is quite severe.

Good luck and all the best!

Autumn - posted on 08/06/2010

Well half was correct for me. I drove and continue to drive during my pregnancies and everything was fine! I did have a c- section and it is true that it is very hard for a woman to drive after having a c-section or at least it was for me. I have no idea how driving is after you give birth if you delivered vaginally but it could be something to ask your doctor about! Good luck!

Carina - posted on 08/05/2010

i have never heard of that. i am pregnant with my third and my doctor has never told me that. so best bet would be to ask your doctor. i know for me at the moment that my stomach is just starting to touch the steering wheel, but then again i can still move my seat back slightly if i want to.

Maria - posted on 08/05/2010

i drove myself to the hospital when my water broke... so i would say not true

Amy - posted on 08/05/2010

One of the first questions I asked my doc was about driving, and she looked at me like I had two heads! Lol! When I explained that I commuted to work thirty miles at 4 am every day she realized what my concerns were and said that barring any complications I would be fine to drive up to my 36th week and then we would have to see how things were going. Every pregnancy and every doc is different, I am 28 weeks now and driving is pretty uncomfortable by the time my commute is finished, I will most likely be happy to carpool if I am restriced, also my belly almost touches the steering wheel already! But deffinately trust your Doc's oppinion over anyone else's!



I was also only concerned about my commute to work I never asked about things like picking children up from school or going to the store...I just sort of assumed that if I wasn't on bed rest and I actually fit into my car then it would be fine :) I guess we will see!

Julie - posted on 08/05/2010

in my experience and I have had two kids with two different doctors. I was never told I could not drive while I was pregnant with mine. Now after the advice not to drive as much because you are still bleeding but they never said dont drive. I know if you are having complication they will tell you not to drive sometime, I would talk to your doc about this but most of them will tell you that you can drive all the way through. Hope this helps

Lorraine - posted on 08/04/2010

i agree with everyone else if you feel like you can then go for it but in some country's where i'm from Australia and if you have a c.section you are not aloud to drive for 6 weeks because if you have an accident you will not be covered. weather you go along with it is all up to you, but me personaly i would be lost without my car plus if you have to and have no other way like getting the kids to school what can you do.

Melanie - posted on 08/04/2010

i drove myself to hospital to have my 3rd baby (im currently pregnant with my 7th) i then drove me and my son home :) If you feel comfotale driving, drive...

Rachel - posted on 08/04/2010

I have had 2 c-sec and drove a week after both and actually right up to the birth. I think the M-I-L is just a laod of crap personally..

Delta - posted on 08/03/2010

I am now 8 months pregnant and my Dr has not told me not to drive. I wasn't told I couldn't drive 10 years ago either. After having my daughter 10 years ago they only told me I couldn't drive for 2 weeks cause of my stitches from being cut down there, but I drove anyway after a week of having her and had no problems. Just as long as your Dr as not told you that you can not drive you still can. I know at 7/8 months they say not to travel out of the area just to be safe in case you do go into labor.

Keara - posted on 08/03/2010

i agree that its complete bull... i am 37 weeks pregnant and still driving... no one is gonna tell me to stop... i do agree that you shouldn't be driving long distances tho but u shouldn't be in the car for long whether you are driving or passenger but thats just cuz it'll get really uncomfortable and can cause some other issues...

Edit**

i've also heard that women after a certain point in pregnancy or right after having a baby, whether natural or by c-section aren't supposed to wear their seat belts... i actually got into an arguement with my cousin who was at the end of her pregnancy while i was at the beginning of mine... she refused to put on her seat belt in my car and told me i shouldn't be wearing mine either, and i refused to not wear a seat belt and insisted she put hers on too no matter how pregnant she was, because if we got into an accident she'd go thru the windsheild and then even if the baby survived and she didn't then the baby would not have a mom, if she wore her seat belt then she and the baby would likely survive a crash... it ended up that i called the police station and asked and they kinda told me off for even having to ask because the law says that you have to wear your seatbelt... so please people! wear your seatbelts... if worn properly it shouldn't be uncomfortable or hurt in any way.... the lap belt is actually supposed to go across your lap not your belly and the shoulder strap is just that... across your shoulder not under your arm or any other variation!!

Laura - posted on 08/03/2010

i drove all the way until i went into labor which was 3 days ago. i was only 3 days overdue. and it was fine, i dont know about after the birth but no one has told me i cant. i dont really want to right now anyways but i definitely will be before 6 weeks. hope this helps.

Christina - posted on 08/03/2010

As far as not driving after the baby arrives...they don't want you driving *long* distances as that can cause you to hemorrhage. I thought that they didn't want you to take long trips due to the baby's health after just being born...but the pediatrician gave me the "what?" look and said that the baby would be fine, but the mother can begin to bleed and hemorrhage :) Hope this helps

Lori - posted on 08/03/2010

if you have a typcial pregnancy theres no reason you cant drive. as long as you can comfortably reach the wheel and pedals theres no restrictions....unless you have some other issue, but pregnancy alone is not it. i had a csection with my son and wasnt allowed to drive for 2 weeks, not 6. shes trying to scare you. dont worry. youll know if you feel uncomfortable driving or not. and by the way...my friend drove herself to the hospital when she was in labor..and then drove herself and her baby home.

Samantha - posted on 08/03/2010

were you high risk?

Aicha - posted on 08/03/2010

when I was 7 and a half month pregnant the doctor told me no driving because my stomach was so big it got in the way of the steering wheel. After birth the doctor said no driving for 6 weeks to give me time to heal