Driving while Pregnant - Were you required to have a medical certificate?

[MissM]

Hey all,

This is stemming from a convo in another area - but just wanted to know how many of you were required to carry a medical certificate past a certain point (around 34-36 weeks) based on a 'healthy' pregnancy

I've asked a few people I know who have had children in the past few years (one with an 8week old) if they had to carry a medical certificate and all said no.

Obviously once my belly touches the wheel I wont be driving and as long as I feel good enough to drive I plan to.

I've read my PDS for my insurance and cannot find anything 'pregnancy' related.

I want to make sure I do the right thing and if i need one am happy to get one, but everyone I've asked said they never had a med cert and it sounds odd.

[Little Chicken]

Never heard of needing one and never had one for either of mine.

[~Kim~]

nope, I've never heard of needing one either. I drove myself to hospital after my waters broke last time...

You can ask for a medical certificate if you have had a ceasar and the seatbelt is too uncomfortable and that exempts you from seatbelt laws for a week or two, but I've never heard of before hand....nor would I go without a seatbelt no matter how uncomfortable...would rather not travel by car then.

[HotI]

Why do you think pregnancy might impair your driving?

[MissM]

Why do you think pregnancy might impair your driving?

The only reason I believe I wont be able to drive is when my belly touches the wheel - which is fair enough. I dont believe just 'being' pregnant impairs my driving ability.

there is/was a conversation being held about being covered for insurance (which I think how the convo came about) and it was suggested you require a medical certificate from 34 or 36 weeks incase you do get pulled over by the police.

I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing I think I will still ask at my appt as well.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your feedback.

[delphmoon]

Wow I never thought about insurance...never heard it really mattered but maybe it is in the fine print?

[HotI]

The only reason I believe I wont be able to drive is when my belly touches the wheel - which is fair enough. I dont believe just 'being' pregnant impairs my driving ability.

Do you need a doctor to tell you that your belly is touching the wheel? Most car seats and steering wheels can adjust these days.

[Mildez]

nope, I've never heard of needing one either. I drove myself to hospital after my waters broke last time....

Same here.

[feeb]

Never heard of that before. I drove up until day I had cs at 39+5 weeks.

[starangelk]

I drove until 40+2, the day I had my CS. I never gave it a second thought........

[zap]

No drove right up until a few hours before I went into labour with ds3. When pg with the twins I stopped driving from around 34 weeks as I no longer fit behind the wheel!

[Taurean]

Never heard of that one either. I drove comfortably up until the day before I gave birth (38+5) - DH had to drive me to the hospital

[delphmoon]

I drove right up until the day I gave birth at 40+7 weeks. Why do you think you need a medical certificate?...I have never heard of that before.

[Pandora]

Just ring your insurance and ask.
I did. So I can tell you that neither RACV or AAMI have any different requirements for pregnant women than any other drivers.

I drove myself home from the pool while in labour and having 4cx every ten minutes.

Not advisable believe me, even if you are insured.

[nickle730]

I wonder... now there are some women who for some reason I can't quite remember (!) don't wear a seatbelt in late pg... something in the back of my mind which I can't quite put my finger on! Helpful much? Anyway, if you were to not wear a seatbelt for a pg. related reason you would need to carry a medical certificate to support such. Maybe that is where the suggestion stems from???

[Aimee89]

I wonder... now there are some women who for some reason I can't quite remember (!) don't wear a seatbelt in late pg... something in the back of my mind which I can't quite put my finger on! Helpful much? Anyway, if you were to not wear a seatbelt for a pg. related reason you would need to carry a medical certificate to support such. Maybe that is where the suggestion stems from???

It is believed that a seatbelt can cut off the babys life supply if the pregnant mother were in an accident and wearing the seatbelt incorrectly. It is still illegal for a pregnant woman to not wear a seatbelt, medical certificate or not.
If you put the belt that goes across your body under your bump not across it then it is safe, or you can get something that you put on your seat that will hold the belt off your bump, putting it over your legs instead. I forget what its called.

[Liz]

Must be a myth that's circulating lately. I've had a few people ask me this time around if I'm allowed to drive when this pregnant LOL. Have never heard of any laws or insurance problems.

As for not wearing a seatbelt while pg... umm... just put it under the bump. I don't think a mangled mummy in a carwreck due to no seatbelt is going to be much better for the baby!