Is Driving During Pregnancy A Safe Option?

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Driving is a routine activity that comes under the scanner when you get pregnant. There is a divided opinion on whether or not driving during pregnancy is safe. However, many women do travel in their own vehicles when they are expecting and believe that it is the safest mode of travel during pregnancy. There are many things that are in favour of and against the concept of women driving during pregnancy.

There are certain factors that determine whether or not you should be driving during pregnancy. Here are the most important ones.

First stage of pregnancy: In the early stages of pregnancy, you have morning sickness and dizziness. A sudden bout of nausea might be detrimental when it comes to driving during the early pregnancy. So, you need to take the first trimester symptoms into account before you get into the driver's seat.

Later stages of pregnancy: While you lose the irritating symptoms like morning sickness in your second and third trimester, you gain some substantial weight. So, as you and your baby bump grow larger, getting in and out of the car becomes a problem.

Swollen Legs?: Most women have varicose veins or swollen legs during the later half of their pregnancy because of increased blood volume in the body. So, if your legs are swollen or you have muscle cramps, them driving during pregnancy could be extremely uncomfortable.

Low/high blood pressure: If you have any special condition like low or high blood pressure, then driving during pregnancy is a taboo. You need to look for some other mode of travel during pregnancy if your blood pressure is fluctuating.

High risk pregnancy?: If your pregnancy has been termed 'high risk' by the doctors then you need to stop driving for your entire term. High risk includes conditions like low lying placenta, weak placenta, gestational diabetes etc.

Lack of options: When we advise women to stop driving during pregnancy, then we need to do a reality check first. What are the options available to pregnant women. Traveling during pregnancy has to be done very carefully. If the public transport like buses, trains and cabs do not offer safe options or there is too much rush involved, then driving is a relatively more comfortable option for traveling.

So, driving during pregnancy is permitted for women but it is subject to special conditions. Did you drive when you were pregnant?