Written by: Elissa Lauber on September 4, 2023
In this post I'll go over some recommendations related to driving while pregnant and after giving birth. *Note. I was contacted about writing a post about this topic, which led to me realize how little I knew about the subject despite having 3 children. Hopefully, this information will be helpful to those of you who are pregnant or who have recently given birth.
Driving During Pregnancy
Did you know that cars, seatbelts, and dashboards were designed for the average man? Yep, you read that right. It's 2023 and yet the standard crash test dummy (i.e., the Hybrid III) most commonly used to test car safety is based on the measurements of the average man from the 1970s. Given this information it may not shock you to learn that despite the fact that more than half of drivers in U.S. are female, women are 73% more likely to be severely injured in the driver's seat and 17% more likely to die in a car accident than men. Additionally, if your BMI is > 30, your risk of dying in a car accident increases by 80%.
Related to pregnancy, there are, unsurprisingly, few recommendations. Consumer Reports does a nice job of explaining how to properly wear a seat belt while pregnant (i.e., below your belly). The site also details how the risks of fetal injury or death related to car accidents are currently hidden due to: fetal injury or death related to car accidents not being well-documented in crash reports, fetal death records not typically being created if the pregnancy is > 20 weeks, and there not being a specific code in medical or vital statistics programs for fetal injury or death due to a car accident.
Consumer Reports suggests the following:
Adjust the seat. Sit in an upright position and put as much distance as is comfortable between your belly and the steering wheel/dashboard.
Adjust the steering wheel. You may need to move the steering wheel up, for example, depending on your bump.
Position the lap belt under your belly. This is the safest position for the seat belt to rest while pregnant.
A law website, Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers (*Note. To be transparent, this is who contacted me and asked me write about this topic and share their site on my blog.), also does a nice job overviewing what to consider when driving while pregnant and post-delivery.
Cooper Hurley suggests the following:
Let others know your plans. In case something happens, someone will know when and who to reach out to for help.
Prepare for emergencies. Have your insurance and important contact information (e.g., your OB-GYN) on hand.
Pull over safely. Stop at well-lit rest stops, and be sure not to leave your car if you are on a highway or busy road.
Plan for frequent breaks. Plan to take frequent breaks to rest, stretch, use the restroom, etc.
Bring food and drinks. Remember to eat and stay hydrated while driving or riding in a car.
Wear comfortable clothes. Wear comfortable clothes so you are not distracted while driving or riding in a car.
Driving after Giving Birth
*Personal Story. I was never told anything about driving after giving birth for either of my pregnancies other than that I could not drive while taking pain medication after my emergency c-section (duh!). I surmise many women aren't talked to about driving after giving birth because women in the U.S. receive very little medical attention other than the 6-week OB-GYN check-up. I started driving 5 days after my emergency c-section because I was completely off of the pain medication and didn't want to wait on my husband to drive me to the NICU each day.
Driving after a Vaginal Delivery
There are no legal restrictions for when you can drive after a vaginal delivery, but remember you cannot drive if you are taking opioid pain medication. Parents suggests waiting 1 week post-vaginal delivery, but remember this is just a guideline. Before driving, consider how you're feeling, and also consult with a medical professional if you have concerns.
Driving after a Cesarean (C-Section)
Again, there are no legal restrictions for when you can drive after a c-section, but remember you cannot drive if you are taking opioid pain medication. Heathline suggests waiting at least 2 weeks post-c-section to allow your muscles to heal. Some sites suggest waiting up to 6 weeks to drive as a c-section is considered major surgery. Again, before driving, you should consider how you're feeling, and also consult with a medical professional if you have concerns.
Summary
Remember, each pregnancy is unique. While there are no legal restrictions for driving while pregnant or post-delivery, you should consider your health and do what's best for you. And, as always, talk to a medical professional if you have specific concerns.