Driving While Pregnant: What to Know for a Safe Journey

With all the restrictions placed on pregnancy, it’s natural to wonder if you’re still allowed to enjoy everyday activities—like taking a shower, strolling along the beach, or driving a car. Is it safe to be driving while pregnant?

In most cases, the answer is a confident yes! Pregnancy doesn’t mean putting your life on hold. However, there are some legitimate concerns about the safety of driving while pregnant. Here’s how to determine whether you should buckle up and hit the road or pass the keys to your partner, mom, best friend, or even your local Uber driver.

Pregnant and Behind the Wheel

Typically, you can stay in the driver’s seat as long as you fit there. Moving the seat back and tilting the wheel up will help. Driving short distances is fine until delivery day if you have the room and aren’t having dizzy spells or other symptoms that might interfere with safe driving.

Car trips that last more than an hour, though, will probably be too exhausting at this point in your pregnancy (no matter who’s driving). If you have to take a longer trip, make sure to get your doctor’s OK first and shift around in your seat every so often. Stopping every hour or two to get up and walk around will help, too. Stretching may also keep you more comfy.

Driving During Your First Trimester

During the first trimester, it’s common for pregnant women to deal with some pretty tough symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and extreme fatigue. These feelings can pop up out of nowhere, which can make driving a bit riskier. Plus, those hormonal changes can really mess with your mood and concentration, making it not the best time to be behind the wheel.

To stay safe during this time, here are a few tips:

Make sure to stop and take breaks often to recharge.
Try to avoid long drives when you can.
Keep a water bottle and healthy snacks nearby to stay hydrated and avoid low blood sugar.
Adjust your seat and mirrors to feel comfortable and secure while driving.
Consider using seatbelt adaptation devices designed for pregnant women.

Be Careful in Your Second Trimester

A study indicated that women in their second trimester were 42% more likely to be involved in serious car accidents than their non-pregnant counterparts. This heightened risk is specific to the second trimester; during the first and third trimesters, the risks are the same as those typical of non-pregnant people. This increased risk doesn’t extend to pregnant women riding in cars as passengers or to their participation in other physical activities often linked to injury during pregnancy.

Why is it riskier to drive during your second trimester? While the researchers of the study didn’t look into the reasons for such an increase, experts suspect that pregnancy-related hormonal changes may play a significant role. During the second trimester, many women experience fatigue and sleep deprivation due to these hormonal changes, which could affect their alertness while driving.

Staying Safe Behind the Wheel in Your Third Trimester

When you hit the third trimester, your growing belly can make it tough to reach the car controls and really get comfortable while driving. Plus, being tired and having those Braxton Hicks contractions can make it tricky to stay safe on the road. There’s also a higher chance of running into pregnancy-related health issues during this time.

It’s super important to know when you should probably take a break from driving. Connect with your doctor for personalized advice that fits your health and where you are in your pregnancy.

To keep driving safe during this stage, try these tips:

Limit your driving time and take breaks often.
Make sure your seat belt is snug and positioned right—lower part under your belly and the upper part between your breasts.
If you’re having strong contractions or feel uncomfortable, it’s best to avoid driving.
Always keep your phone charged and have your doctor’s contact info handy, just in case.

Using a Seat Belt While Pregnant

Always remember to fasten your seat belt, whether you’re the driver or passenger. The best way to avoid a car crash (as well as serious injury to your baby) is always to buckle up.

Research involving pregnant women involved in car accidents indicates that correctly wearing a seat belt offers significant protection for both the mom and her baby. When both the lap and shoulder belts are secured properly, the likelihood of the baby surviving—and even flourishing—after a crash increases by 4.5 times.

To maximize your safety and minimize any discomfort, here are a few tips:

Position the lap portion of the seat belt as far under your belly as possible, across your pelvis and upper thighs.
Move the driver’s seat as far back as possible while still being able to access the brakes, gear shift, and headlights.
Adjust the angle of your steering wheel upward. You want it so the bottom edge of the wheel isn’t directly parallel with your stomach.
Wear the shoulder portion of the belt correctly, over your shoulder (not under your arm) diagonally between your breasts and to the side of your belly.

Don’t worry that the pressure of an abrupt stop will hurt your baby. Your baby is well-cushioned by amniotic fluid and uterine muscle.

Fastening your seat belt on planes when the seat belt sign is lit isn’t only required by law; it’s your best protection against being thrown from your seat during turbulence. So buckle up in the air, too.