Hello everyone! Welcome to The Alchemy Lab, Doula Alchemist Healing’s blogsite. I post educational and motivational content focused on spiritual wellness and reproductive health and justice. Today I want to share some information about a topic that is really important, but I don’t see discussed very often – at least not in the doula and reproductive justice that I have been in. The topic is driving while pregnant.
Overview
According to research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there were approximately 245.3 million drivers in the U.S. in 2021, which was an increase from the number of drivers in 2020. That’s a lot of people on the road! As you can see, driving is a very important aspect of life for many people in the U.S., and driving while pregnant is an activity that is generally safe to engage in. Of course, if you have received medical advice to not drive during your pregnancy please follow it. Otherwise, your pregnancy status alone should not be a hinderance to your autonomy. Having a baby is a life event, and there are some precautions you should be aware of to safely drive while pregnant.
Also, every pregnant person may not always have someone to transport them to needed services. Therefore, getting a rideshare or driving yourself may be necessary sometimes. So, whether it is a drive to work, a prenatal appointment, or just some me time at one of your favorite places, I want to you feel informed, safe, and empowered when driving while pregnant.

Cooper Hurley’s “Driving While Pregnant” Guide
I have found Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers’ “Driving While Pregnant” Guide to be very informative, thorough, and free of commercial influence. I highly recommend you read through the entire guide. Further, I would also like to issue a content warning for any queer, trans, and gender expansive parents who may be reading that the guide contains gendered language only. The guide takes a balanced approach. It notes that there are no specific laws that prohibit people from driving during their pregnancy, while also sharing that one should consider not driving while pregnant if experiencing comfort issues, nausea, fatigue, or gestational hypertension. While there is nothing wrong with allowing others to drive you at any point during your pregnancy, it is especially crucial to have a loved one, friend, or rideshare transport your if experiencing any health issue that makes you feel unsafe to drive.
Cooper Hurley’s guide also includes a list of adjustments and best practices to prioritize safety for you and others on the road. There is even a bit of a deeper dive for long drives and road trips with extra safety tips for planning for those experiences. I think that one of the most important considerations raised in the guide is how to wear your seatbelt correctly during pregnancy. This is important regardless of if you are the driver or a passenger. According to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the lap belt should be positioned as far under the belly as possible, and the shoulder belt should be on the shoulder running across the middle of the chest away from the neck.

Birth and Postpartum
Other important information contained in the guide is what to do if you are in a car accident while pregnant and some common recommendations from doctors about timelines for being able to drive after giving birth. Lastly, there is a section about car seats. The recommendation is to install a rear-facing car seat in your vehicle a few weeks before your due date. In addition to a car seat, I recommend my doula clients have the following items in a bag or their car before their due date. This is especially important if planning to give birth at a hospital or birth center:
- A going home outfit for newborn
- Blankets or swaddles of your own
- Your pediatrician’s info if already identified
- Your birth plan
- Personal toiletries
- Extra comfortable clothes
- Snacks and drinks
- Items for comfort measures
- Nipple cream
- ID and important documents
- Phone charger and other important technology

Closing Thoughts
Well, there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed this brief overview of Cooper Hurley’s “Driving While Pregnant” Guide. Please make sure to check out the full guide at the link provided earlier in the post. I will make sure to discuss driving safety with all of my doula clients during prenatal visits. If you want to learn more about me and my approach to supporting people on their self-determined family creation journeys as a full spectrum doula, please check out my about page. If you want to learn more about the services offered by Doula Alchemist Healing, please check out my services page. Thank you for reading!
***Disclaimer*** This material is for informational purposes only. It does not replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or healthcare professional.