Driving Question

Okay, so it really never occured to me that I should not drive myself places. Today I had my 35 week appointment and had to go myself since my husband had to work, my mother is having surgery tomorrow, and my MIL was the designated babysitter for my daughter. My doctor's office is about an hour away, and I have driven there plenty of times on my own, but today everyone was asking if I was alright to drive myself... I asked my doctor at my appointment about driving or limiting activity and he said do what you feel like doing and feel comfortable doing.

I guess the real question is... Who else is driving and if you aren't driving when did you stop? Also, for those of you around 34+ weeks how are you feeling and what are you doing in general? Are you limiting activity? If so, what and why (doctor's orders or yours)?

Thanks!!!

 

My babies were delivered via csection 4 weeks early. I drove myself everywhere until the day I went to the hospital. I let my mom drive me to the hospital and dh met us there. I probably should have driven though, because my mom's driving was making me really nervous.

If I had gone even a week or two more, I wouldn't have been able to fit behind the wheel!

 

I am still doing everything the same as I have been the whole time really. I'm actually more courageous now than i was in the second trimester. As long as fatigue doesn't get me - I'll do it

 

the only reason I stopped driving at 32 weeks was because I could no longer put the clutch to the floor of my car to shift! I had to put the seat back too far to get my belly behind the wheel :laughing:

 

I am restricted, which means I limit my activity. This is after being admitted to L&D (exactly a week ago) overnight for false labor, which they actually stopped with Morphine, to be safe. The dr. took it pretty seriously. I was found to be 2cm dialated and 60% effaced. Admittedly, there are some days I just don't feel up to doing much anyway, so I don't. However, I walk every other day still and do little errands and chores. I am still driving myself. I have to have some independence.

I can understand if you feel a little leary driving an hour one way. If you feel better driving with someone, than you should. HTH!

 

I'm still driving, but it's getting increasingly uncomfortable to do so... it's really hard to lean forward to check for oncoming traffic or turn my body left or right for more oncoming traffic... I'm also running out of room between me and the steering wheel. As far as other activities or other things I'm doing- does sitting on the couch count?? I'm actually still working, but I see that coming to an end in another week or so. When I get home, I immediately change into a comfy pair of sweats and plop down on the couch where I remain until it's time for my daughter to get ready for bed. I'm still bathing her and putting her to bed, but that's pretty much it. Dh brings all my meals to me on the couch. I'm pretty ready for this pregnancy to be over, but I'm trying to be patient and not complain too much. I know it's better for them to stay in as long as possible (which won't be more than 4 weeks from tomorrow) Yay!!

 

38 weeks tomorrow....and still driving! Not too far-but driving! About to meet my mom for lunch(I can't stand driving in her car!) LOL! And I have a quick errand to run. If you feel comfortable doing so-I say go ahead. My Dr never said I couldn't...

 

My Dr. is an hour away also. My dh started taking me this week, only because he now has the time, if he didn't I would still be driving myself. I do drive myself to run errands and visit friends and such. If you feel comfortable doing so and your Dr. has no restrictions on you then go for it!
I will admit it is nice having a driver! I really hate driving!

 

QUOTE(Jenn G @ Oct 17 2007, 11:59 AM) [snapback]454624[/snapback]
I'm still driving, but it's getting increasingly uncomfortable to do so... it's really hard to lean forward to check for oncoming traffic or turn my body left or right for more oncoming traffic... I'm also running out of room between me and the steering wheel. As far as other activities or other things I'm doing- does sitting on the couch count?? I'm actually still working, but I see that coming to an end in another week or so. When I get home, I immediately change into a comfy pair of sweats and plop down on the couch where I remain until it's time for my daughter to get ready for bed. I'm still bathing her and putting her to bed, but that's pretty much it. Dh brings all my meals to me on the couch. I'm pretty ready for this pregnancy to be over, but I'm trying to be patient and not complain too much. I know it's better for them to stay in as long as possible (which won't be more than 4 weeks from tomorrow) Yay!!


Sounds like we are at about the same point!!! I spend lots of time on the couch and although I don't work outside the house I have an eBay buisness that I wish was making more $$$ for us that I run on my own. I have just informed my husband that I will not be listing any new things until after the babies come and we are settled into a routine. I also have a young child, she is 3.5 and takes a lot of energy! I too am anxious to get this pregnacy over with, but I am hoping to keep them until my scheduled delivery date. I just wont miss the swelling, joint pain, pelvic pain, irritability and irrational thoughts Hey just out of curiostiy, when I was pregnant with my daughter I LOVED being pregnant and felt great... this time around it is the TOTAL opposite, is this the same for you too?

 

I drove until the day before my scheduled c-section at 38w3d. AS long as you sitll fit behiond the wheel I don't think there's any indication to limit yourself. You will be MUCH less mobile once the babies arrive!

 

I drove myself around all the time. I didn't drive myself to the hospital (I delivered at 38 weeks 1 day). As long as you can fit behind the wheel and it doesn't bother you (and the doctor says okay), why not? Of course, after I got back in my car after giving birth. I realized I probably shouldn't have been driving. I realized then that the front seat does not belong in the back seat

 

I had a good pregnancy. I worked 43 hours a week at a desk job until the day before my scheduled c-section at 38 weeks. I could fit the palm of my hand between my stomach & the steering wheel. The seat could have gone one more notch back, but then I wouldn't have been able to reach the pedals comfortably. I drove myself to the hospital for the babies to be born. My dh was THRILLED when I couldn't drive for 2 weeks after the babies were born. (I don't care for his driving.)

 

I'm still driving, though if we're together, DH will almost always drive for us at this point.

 

QUOTE(Stephanie1074 @ Oct 17 2007, 01:20 PM) [snapback]454765[/snapback]
Sounds like we are at about the same point!!! I spend lots of time on the couch and although I don't work outside the house I have an eBay buisness that I wish was making more $$$ for us that I run on my own. I have just informed my husband that I will not be listing any new things until after the babies come and we are settled into a routine. I also have a young child, she is 3.5 and takes a lot of energy! I too am anxious to get this pregnacy over with, but I am hoping to keep them until my scheduled delivery date. I just wont miss the swelling, joint pain, pelvic pain, irritability and irrational thoughts Hey just out of curiostiy, when I was pregnant with my daughter I LOVED being pregnant and felt great... this time around it is the TOTAL opposite, is this the same for you too?


With my DD I thought I was uncomfortable, but knowing what I know now, I was just being a wimp! For me I think I've actually enjoyed this pregnancy more because it's most likely my last and I'm not taking anything for granted this time around (all the good things anyway- the kicks and watching my belly roll.) That's not to say that I'm not totally ready for this pregnancy to come to a safe and healthy end for everyone, it's just been a different experience. I wish I had enjoyed my singleton pregnancy more and not wished it away quite so much, especially knowing what I know now!!

 

QUOTE(fluffhead @ Oct 17 2007, 02:13 PM) [snapback]454868[/snapback]
I drove until the day before my scheduled c-section at 38w3d. AS long as you sitll fit behiond the wheel I don't think there's any indication to limit yourself. You will be MUCH less mobile once the babies arrive!


Well, it's funny you should mention fitting behind the wheel... I do, but was noticing it is becoming a tighter fit . I have definately been thinknig that once there are 2 newborns getting out will be a much bigger challenge and most likely reserved for absolute necessity!

 

I was told last week to stop driving, but I've also been on modified bed rest, and I'm short so I can barely reach the pedals anymore because I have to move the seat back so my belly fits. <_<

 

I'm driving a lot--a lot more than I probably should. But I just got my car back (husband was in a wreck in it shortly after we bought it in July, it spent all of September in the body shop) and it is SO much more comfortable than my old miata. In some ways, its more comfortable than my couch or my recliner. I just try to stop frequently if i'm on the road for more than 90 minutes at a time, and to be sure to drink water the whole time I'm driving.

The other night we went out to dinner to celebrate our wedding anniversary and my hubby had a few drinks so I drove us home and he said "look at your arms, they are so stretched out! Why don't you move the steering wheel closer?" (if looks could kill, he'd never have made it home)

Um, because the belly needs to be at least 6 inches away from the airbag?!?!?

 

I was driving right up until I had the twins at 37 weeks 5 days.

 

I had to stop driving in my 36th week. I could no longer fit behind the wheel comfortably, it was a very tight squeeze and just not safe anymore. I couldn't turn my body. My SIL ended up driving me to my 37 and 38 week appt.

 

I quit driving around 30 or 32 weeks. I could not reach the gas pedal or brake unless my belly was touching the steering wheel -- but I have short legs.

 

I'm still driving but DH drives me to my appointments (an hour away). But I just got a new Sienna!!! The steering wheel goes in and out as well as tilt so I can get it in a good position. I rarely go anywhere though. Actually, it's probably been about a week since I drove!