Driving when pregnant is something many expectant parents wonder about. Most people can carry on driving throughout pregnancy, but it is worth putting safety and comfort first.
Top 5 tips for driving when pregnant
- Adjust your seat: Position your seat so you can reach the pedals comfortably while keeping a safe distance from the steering wheel. Sitting too close to the wheel can increase the risk of injury to you and your bump in an accident. To ease back pain on longer journeys, you may like to use a lumbar support pillow (affiliate link).
- Wear your seat belt correctly: In the UK you must wear a seat belt when you are pregnant, unless your doctor says you don’t need to for medical reasons. Place the lap belt under your bump, across your hips, and the diagonal belt between your breasts and to the side of your bump. Worn like this, the belt protects you without pressing on your abdomen.
- Take breaks and stay hydrated: Long drives can become uncomfortable in pregnancy, so stop regularly to stretch your legs and have a drink. Dehydration can cause tiredness and discomfort, so keep water with you. Getting out and walking around also helps reduce the risk of blood clots in your legs.
- Plan for toilet stops: As your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus presses on your bladder, so you will probably need the loo more often. Plan your route with service stations or toilets along the way.
- Listen to your body: Every pregnancy is different. If you start to feel uncomfortable or tired while driving, pull over and rest, or ask someone else to take the wheel if you can.
If you have any concerns about driving during your pregnancy, talk to your midwife or GP. They can give you advice based on your own situation and medical history. Stay safe and enjoy the journey!
If you are planning to go abroad, have a look at my blog posts on flying when pregnant and travelling when pregnant.
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Sources and further reading:
- ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists). Travel during pregnancy. FAQ, acog.org.
- Cantwell R, et al. Saving Mothers’ Lives: Reviewing maternal deaths to make motherhood safer: 2006–2008. The Eighth Report of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom. BJOG. 2011 Mar;118 Suppl 1:1–203. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2010.02847.x. PMID: 21356004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21356004/
- GOV.UK. Seat belts: the law. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/when-you-dont-need-to-wear-a-seat-belt
- Hendey GW, Votey SR. Injuries in restrained motor vehicle accident victims. Ann Emerg Med. 1994 Jul;24(1):77–84. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(94)70166-0. PMID: 8010553.
- Johnson HC, Pring DW. (2000) Car seatbelts in pregnancy: the practice and knowledge of pregnant women remain causes for concern. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 107: 644–647. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2000.tb13307.x
- NHS. Travelling in pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/travelling/
- NHS. DVT (deep vein thrombosis): https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt/