Driving after 38 weeks?

[Persephone1]

Hi,

I've been told by a few people that I'm not insured to drive after 38 weeks. We're insured with RACV and I can't find anything that suggests that they wouldn't insure me if I drove after 38 weeks. Can anyone advise whether there's any truth to the rumour? I need to know whether I'll be house-bound in a few weeks so I can prepare myself.

TIA.

[black_rose]

Don't know, I know you aren't insured if you drive to soon after a c section.

[feeb]

I have never heard that you are not insured. Often people are to uncomfortable to drive.

I drove to my 39 week appt!!!!!!!!!

Good luck for birth

eta with the driving post cs you need to check with insurance company as they vary not all say 6 weeks. But hospital says that so people dont drive days after cs and people have time to call insurance.

[~breeze~]

I couldnt say, it never even entered my mind whilst pregnant.
DD I drove up until 41 weeks, DS I drove up until the day I had him at 39+2 weeks.

I think alot of woman dont drive past 38 weeks due to either discomfort or they might be scared of going into labour while driving?

I'd check with my insurance compay, I'd call them

[Queen]

TBH I have no idea!
Can you ring them?
I drove myself to my 40 week appointment and the day before I gave birth both times DD1 was 42 wks 2 days, DD2 was 40 wks 5 days

Good luck

[RoyaUK]

Never heard of not being insured pre: birth - but perhaps a quick phone call to your insurer would clarify? I kept driving till the day baby was born at 41 wks.

Afterwards, i've heard some insurers vary in their policy. But the main thing post birth and definately post c-section is not really insurance but your physical state if you had to break suddenly or had a jolt. C-section - you've just had MAJOR surgery and your body is in recovery mode so not a good idea to risk hurting yourself further.

Good luck with your birth!

[Kangaskippy]

I have never heard of this before either...

I drove up to 2 days before I had DS1 (41.5wks) and was driving the morning i was in labour with DS2 (40wks)...so it just never crossed my mind really...:0)

knowing my luck, I will probably have to drive myself to the hospy this time, lol

[Glamourcide]

I've always heard about the driving after c-sec rule, but never about driving past a certain point in pregnancy... my mum always said 'just stop driving when you can't fit your belly under the steering wheel any more' and I know she stopped driving at 34 weeks because she's very petite and literally could not fit behind the wheel, but I've got really long legs so I can always reach the pedals I drove right up until the day I gave birth at 40+7 and never had problems, I believe I drove while in labour on the day (but I hadn't realised I was in labour yet, waters were intact, just had killer contractions lol).
Maybe give your insurance company a quick call and just ask, they have probably dealt with 'sillier' questions before and if it helps put your mind at ease it can only be a good thing Good luck!

[diva det]

as long as you feel safe to drive- i.e you can reach the pedals safely and use the steering wheel OK- then its fine
btw i drove whilst i was in labour- contractions were only 1.30 apart oops- lucky i didnt have far to go and i ended up giving birth 4 hours later lol

[Pandora]

Racv have no restriction, but I believe some insurers do.

I drove up til and including when I was in labour ( not advising this BTW is was not a nice experience!)

[Renee_AW]

I am insured with AAMI and this is what their website says.

Does driving while I am pregnant or after an operation affect my policy?
No. If you are concerned, however, that your ability to drive safely may be affected in any way by your condition, we recommend you consult your doctor. We will not pay, however, for loss or damage caused when driving your car after receiving medical advice that your ability to drive is impaired by your condition or medical treatment.

It makes sense to me. Saying can't drive past a pre-defined point in pregnancy would be pretty limiting, almost like saying you can't drive when you have a cold in case you sneeze!

[Persephone1]

Thanks Ladies,

I'm gonna keep driving until I feel physically unable to...which at the moment, isn't far away anyway