Weird question. Forbidden from driving?

[~Boudicca~]

My friend, who is 4 days "overdue", said that her OB has forbidden her from driving a car, even locally, because she is overdue. She lives 15 minutes away from the hospital she'll be delivering at. She has had a low-risk pregnancy so far.

Um...why?

[2xy]

I've never heard of such a thing, and I was overdue with both of my kids.

[sept04mama]

That is weird but I can kind of agree that for ME it seemed dangerous to drive once I was 3+ days overdue. I just had a lot of random contractions that would affect my vision and concentration, but that's my situation. I think it's weird to just make a blanket recommendation like that.

[AutumnAir]

LOL!! I'm almost 43 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) and still driving!! I don't go on long road trips or anything, but I'd never be able to get anywhere otherwise!! That seems very strange...

[MyFullHouse]

I drove myself to my non-stress test at 41w5d, and that was an hour each way. Nothing was ever said to me!

[MegBoz]

I went to 11 days overdue. Starting at 41W (7 days overdue), I drove myself to the hospital for twice-weekly NSTs & AFIs. Then I drove myself again at 11 days overdue to have my membranes stripped.

I had NOT ONE BH ctrx (that I felt.) Yeah, so, obviously if you're having random ctrx that disrupt your vision, it might be a wise choice not to drive, but I think that is the exception, not the rule. So, yeah, as a blanket "rule" - pretty dumb.

[lifeguard]

Seems unreasonable to me. But some people are overly cautious. I had a friend who basically refused to drive her last trimester 'cause she felt it was too dangerous.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

Seems unreasonable to me. But some people are overly cautious. I had a friend who basically refused to drive her last trimester 'cause she felt it was too dangerous.

My parents wouldn't let me drive alone after 30 weeks. (my DH was in basic training)

[donutmolly]

Another vote for overly cautious! I was 2 weeks overdue with DD3 and drove around those 2 weeks with both my big girls -- we would have gone nuts if I had to stay home! I didn't go far, just because I figured I didn't want to have to drive very far if I went into labor on our outings.

[Chavelamomela]

Also, keep in mind that for most women, labor doesn't start with the "OHMYGODI"MINLABOR" type of contractions - it starts with minor contractions that get stronger and stronger. If you're only driving 15-20 minute drives, there's really no real reason to worry that you'll get a huge contraction while driving before you can get home or to another safe place.

I think this doc is off his rocker... I mean, don't go driving 4 hours from home, but to the grocery store, picking up the kids, etc...completely absurd.

[fruitfulmomma]

I've had 4 "overdue" kids and have never heard that one.

[MegBoz]

Originally Posted by Chavelamomela

I think this doc is off his rocker...

ITA.
I mean, especially with the word "forbid." Not that any HCP should ever use that word.
It would be one thing if he said, "If you're having ctrx off and on, especially if you find you have to pause what you're doing while having them, it would be a good idea not to drive." Which is good advice & common sense anyway.

But, "You are over 40W so no driving - period."
Idiotic & insane.

The funny thing is that 37W is term, so why not ban all driving from then on? And of course women do go into labor even way before that so why not ban driving from 32W on? No, wait, I take it back, I knew someone who went into labor at 25W & delivered at 26W, so why not ban driving from that point? Honestly, it would make just as much sense.

Of course it also makes me worry about what other bizarre & antiquated ideas he may have.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Unless this lady has some medical stuff we don't know about, I can't see what would be the problem with driving.

OTOH, I have heard plenty of stuff HCPs tell you not to do in a tongue-and-cheek sort of way: "No housework!"

[happysmileylady]

JUST for being overdue, yeah, I find that weird. Never heard that with either of my previous two pg, with two seperate docs, and there hasn't been a mention with this one, though I am not quite to that point yet.

But, perhaps she has some other issues going on that she didn't tell you about or that might be a consideration. Perhaps she's having contractions that are making driving unsafe-causing vision problems, or happening suddenly causing her to startle or whatever.

[Sudonk]

One of my friend drove herself and her 6 kids home from the beach (2 hour drive) during her birth. She didn't have any problems, and would have pulled over and called someone to come for them if it had been necessary. But, despite being a full-term pregnant woman in early labor, she still had a fully functional brain and didn't need anyone telling her what she could and could not do.

[harli]

Wow that's crazy. I wonder if there is something else wrong with your friend or if the doc is trying to pressure her into an induction by making her life miserable and virtually non-livable (where I live I couldn't go ANYWHERE without driving) so she will say "Yes please" to his offer of an induction at her next visit.

This reminds me of the movie "Father of the Bride 2" when they need to go someplace when they are very pregnant and neither women can drive because they are "too big to get behind the wheel".

[Amatullah0]

I think it's silly. I've had menstrual cramps that were worse than early labor pains, heck, early labor pains are fun.

Oh and I meant to say that those painful cramps occurred while I was driving, and if I was doing anything particularly dangerous at that moment, I would have gotten into a crash. (I was, quite fortunately, stopped at a stop sign)

But after about 10 weeks, I didn't even want to be in a car, let alone drive it! You gotta do what you gotta do though!

[texmati]

Originally Posted by happysmileylady

JUST for being overdue, yeah, I find that weird. Never heard that with either of my previous two pg, with two seperate docs, and there hasn't been a mention with this one, though I am not quite to that point yet.

But, perhaps she has some other issues going on that she didn't tell you about or that might be a consideration. Perhaps she's having contractions that are making driving unsafe-causing vision problems, or happening suddenly causing her to startle or whatever.

yes... I personally feel unsafe driving even now... My reaction times are slower, and vision is worse.

how many times have we seen the advice to just 'blame the doc' when you don't want to talk about it?

[~Boudicca~]

Well, who knows. Doesn't matter now because she had the baby this morning!

Anyway, thanks for chiming in on this thread, I was rather perplexed.

[dex_millie]

oh well congrats!!!!! just notice the last post (I am always late to posts)