Driving and the Pregnant Belly

[Teenytoona]

Ok, all you BTDT Mommas, I've got to know...

Has there ever come a time when your belly got too big for you to sit behind the wheel, buckle up and reach the pedals/wheel adequately?

I got in to my car today and had a minor breakdown because I had to scootch the seat back to fit the seatbelt on, but I didn't feel I could reach the pedals, so I scooted back toward the wheel, and didn't think the seatbelt would reach... boohoohoo. Actually Mr Toona helped me buckle in, but it got me concerned: will there come a time when I just can't fit in there and drive safely? Yikes!

[Writerbird]

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I have a Miata. I still fit behind the wheel but I can't get my legs into the car without a certain amount of "ouchie."

[nolonger]

I didn't drive with any of my other pregnancies and am striving towards a car-free lifestyle, but I've had to resort to the car a bit during the recent storms and just because I never get out of granny gear on the bike, it takes forever to run errands, and even my big fat stupid looking touring seat makes me feel like I'm sitting on a newborn's head.

It didn't help. The car is MUCH less comfortable.

I drive a Honda Accord and my dd's dp just bought an Acura Integra and might well be pressed into chauffeur duty, but I'm afraid being a passenger won't help much. Walking is out of the question because of pelvic instability and the public transit sucks here.

Recumbant bicycles are total heaven, though, and I wish I'd never test driven one or better yet, been able to pay for it and never had to get off!

[Carlito's_wife]

Well I haven't had any problems with getting behind the wheel but I have a kind of hard time lifting my legs high enough to get in the car and getting out is absolute torture. Not only do I have to lift my legs which is hard because my belly is so big but also I have to roll all around my seat grabbing at anything I can reach to try and pull myself up out of the car. I can't tell you how many times I have struggled to get out of the car only to find I have a crowd staring in amazment at the round lady trying to roll her way out of a car. :

[Teenytoona]

NOS, I think it's terribly impressive that not only do you bike everywhere, but you do so pregnant!! Unfortunately: I've never learned to ride a bike, so... that option is out (besides I don't think 30 miles in the snow would work out!!).

Carlito's Wife, well at least you do that roll thing too!! I figured I do it just because I'm well over 200lbs and pregnant! Yeah, sometimes I feel like my 77 yo gram, and sayin' "come on body!" when I get in or out!

I just hope the belly vs car battle doesn't keep me from going to work when I'd otherwise be able to do so.

[slgt]

I was doing ok with the car until I pulled my psoas muscle - now the whole affair is just no fun. The biggest problems I generally encounter though are that sometimes Baby wedges in *just so*, and I can't really reach to shift easily and can't even begin to adjust the radio! It's quite humorous.

[firecat]

driving is not impossible, but can be uncomfortable for me.
I have to lean back in order to give baby enough room under my ribs and I am used to sitting up pretty straight while I drive. Lately baby will drop sometimes and even the tiniest bumps make me hold the bottom of my belly and wince a little. Can't wait until baby is on the outside!

[Dea]

Ahhh driving.
Luckily I'm really short and I leave the drivers seat at DH's spot and it's easy for me to get in and out, and at the same position I can still reach the pedals with my toes, and my belly isn't resting on the steering wheel. I do wonder about subsequent pregnancies when my belly will be bigger. My short legs just won't accommodate.
I think the style of car helps too. I don't drive DH's car at all, and I even hate being a passenger in it. It's a sports car, a really low to the ground one and it's so hard to haul my pregnant ass in and out of it. (Personally i think it's time we replace it when the new chevy volts come out.... it's all electric!)

[Jujubie]

I'm lucky i'm tall, so I can put the seat back and still reach the pedals just fine. But, getting in and out is becoming a chore. I have issues with the pubic bone pain, can't remember the correct name for it. I have to get in my car (buick rendezvous so it sits higher than a car) butt first. Sit on the seat and then swing my legs around together--if I do them separately it hurts to much! LOL. I've noticed the "oh shit" handles that are in most cars come in very handy now.