LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I'll be about 29 weeks when we drive up to NY from FL (and back). The drive is about 18-ish hours so we'll split it into two days and drive 9 hours each day. Anyone take a long drive while pregnant? DH's parents offered to drive us and they do the drive several times/year. I'm kinda nervous but ecstatic that I don't have to fly.

I know I should pack snacks, water, pillows, etc and stop every 2-3 hrs (my doc said every 4 is fine) to walk around and go to the bathroom. Just wanted to see if anyone had experience doing this in early 3rd tri?

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I never took a drive like that during my pregnancy, but I think as long as your feeling alright and your doctor doesn't have any concerns (at about that time), you should be fine.

As far as being comfortable, stop every so often like you have planned.

And lastly, you better come visit all 3 of us when you are here!!!!!!

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

We drove from NY to southern Georgia when I was 28 weeks pregnant. I hate road trips to begin with, and I was dreading it while pregnant.

But honestly, I had plenty of room in the car, and we made lots of stops. I had a very easy, uneventful pregnancy, so that helped, but it was a VERY easy & comfortable ride! I mean, I got a little achy in the lower back towards the very end both ways on the trip, but that's to be expected.

I drank lots of water (therefore, lots more bathroom stops ), that really helped. And I brought one of those little pillows you wear around your neck on the airplane,etc.; that definitely helped keep my neck comfy for naps

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I took a 6 hour drive (each way ) with DH up to Syracuse when I was 35 weeks pregnant. As long as you do not have any complications, and your Dr. clears you, you should be fine.

We only stopped once each way, and I was just fine.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I cannot imagine making such a long trip while PG. I started to feel more tired around that time and things getting harder.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I think if you handle the drive as planned (frequent stops, etc.) it will be tiring, but do-able.

I know for me, it would be easier if it was just me and DH because I would hate to be stuck in the back seat the whole trip if someone else was driving.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I drove from Florida to Philly at 30weeks pregnant for my babyshower at my inlaws.
Honestly it kind of sucked since I didn't want to pee every 30 miles I limited my water intake which meant I started to have some cramping/contractions. Also every single bumped sucked big time and was uncomfy. But we stopped in NC as a midway point which I suggest doing. I'm in the panhandle so it took about 21 hours.

Since Dh felt bad for me I flew home by myself and he drove the following day straight with the baby's loot in his truck. He didn't want to stop since 1. he is a man..lol 2.we were iffy about leaving the truck in a parkinglot with the gifts in it.

I doubt you'll even be able to make it anywhere near 4 hours without having to stop to use a restroom! lol

Message edited 3/23/2009 5:09:50 PM.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

Posted on Parenting!!

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

My only issues with driving long distances while PG is the barfing. I barf for 9 months so that =lots of quick pull overs

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I was 24 weeks with twins when we drove to NY-we drove about 13 hrs. I stopped about every 3 hrs or so to stretch and avoid blood clots. You will be stiff and sore but it should be fine-I would check with your Dr just to make sure-also make sure you have gps so if you do need a hospital you can get there quickly

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I start my 27th week today and just came home on Sat.
We drove from LI to Boca Raton and back home.
We split it as well. We stopped every 2-3 hours.. I walked around, stretched my legs.
I sat in the back seat most of the time with DS so I can "put my feet up a bit"..Sometimes I alternated to the passenger seat and I even did some of the driving.
I was so nervous, but, it was great.
Very important to keep hydrated, get out and stretch, pack snacks, etc.
We even spent a day at Magic Kingdom

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I've never done it myself but your plan sounds great...don't forget some good tunes!

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

Message edited 3/23/2009 6:15:37 PM.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I've done long flights while preggo, but earlier on. When I was preggo with DD we drove to Charleston, but that was in the 2nd trimester.

Honestly, I'd rather fly since it's such a quick flight. I wouldn't do the drive based solely on the fact that I now (at 32 weeks) and during my last pregnancy would literally have needed to stop every 30 minutes to pee. At least on the planes I just go to the bathroom and go back to my seat.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

i felt fine around that time and i honestly don't think i would have had a problem. DH and i went to CA when i was 19 weeks and we were in the car a lot, and i was just fine.

i would say that you might be more comfortable in the back seat for part of the drive so you can really stretch out.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

i moved from nyc to chicago during my mid 3rd tri. my obgyn advised me to stop every two hours to stretch and walk around. it was funny, DH would literally stop at 2 hrs exactly and make me go around the gas station a couple times so that i could stretch even if i didn't feel tired. it helped though, the ride didnt feel long at all (15hrs!) and i made it home safe and sound good luck!

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I think you'll be fine as long as you make stops along the way. We drove 5 hours to Cape Cod while pregnant.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

We live in NC (a 9-hour drive from NY) and I drive home every month. This week I'm 21 weeks and I'll be driving home and back myself. Then on Memorial Day weekend I'll be 30 weeks and we'll be doing the drive again (for my shower). And then in July when I'm 37 weeks I'll be doing the drive again one last time.

I never find it to be a problem -- you have to stop more frequently to use the restroom, and we bring snacks and drinks in the car. I would bring a pillow with you for when you;re not driving -- it will help your back and neck. But other than stopping more frequently than normal, its pretty much the same as driving when you're not pregnant.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I did a long drive in my 2nd trimester. I was miserable. My tailb ne killed. But, I made it.

My midwife was upset that we didn't stop very often. She said that you need to get out and walk a lot. Something abou the movement preventing clots which can develop if you sit for long periods of time.

But, I don't think it's bad. Can you lie down in the backseat if need be?

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

We drove and flew from NC to NY a few times during my pregnancy.

The last 2 trips were both in my last trimester and I have to say the drive was much easier than the flight. With the drive we could stop whenever we wanted and felt more roomy. The flight I wanted to scratch out the eyes of the person sitting in front of me.

In any case, I think you will be fine, just get out and stretch whenever you need to and bring a pillow for your lower back.

Re: LONG drive while pregnant (early 3rd tri)?

I've done about 8 hours -
I didn't even think twice about it to be honest - I just got in the car and went like it was any other day ..........It gets uncomfortable more quickly I guess, but doesn't everything ??
it's not unbearable or anything ..........