Risks of taking lessons while pregnant
Are there any of you who are concerned about whether or not you can attend driving school while pregnant, such as those who realized they were pregnant while on the way to driving school?
If you understand all the points introduced here, you will be able to imagine what your teaching life will be like even during pregnancy.
In addition, we will teach you useful points not only in your classroom life, but also in your daily life, such as how to spend your time during the important period of pregnancy.
By understanding the risks explained here, you will not only be able to get rid of any concerns you may have about your own health when you experience pregnancy for the first time, but you will also be able to understand what the driving school that accepts you will think. Also, during the entire process from enrolling at a driving school to graduating, you may have to cancel due to severe morning sickness, which may disrupt your original plans and cause your plans to change significantly.
Therefore, here we will introduce you to each point whether it is possible to attend a driving school even if you are pregnant. After reading this, you will know how to spend your precious time during pregnancy and the points you should be careful about.

[First part of school entrance]

Tell them you're pregnant!

Are you confused when you find out that you are pregnant when you were thinking about getting your driver's license?
It is possible to obtain a driver's license even if you are pregnant. Also, many driving schools have precedents of pregnant women who have had similar problems in the past and have attended driving schools. Therefore, if you notify the driving school in advance, they will probably accept you, but some driving schools will not accept you unless you submit a doctor's certificate or write a consent form. In addition, there are some driving schools that do not accept pregnant women at all, regardless of whether they are in the early or stable period.

Chart 1 Status of accepting pregnant women and childcare centers

(Source) As of March 2018, based on our telephone interview
In some cases, the Q&A on each school's website includes information such as whether it is possible to attend school while pregnant. If you are unsure, please contact the school directly!

Do you write a pledge?

You may be asked to submit a written oath stating that our school will not be responsible for anything that may happen.
Additionally, you may need a letter of approval from your doctor or a school that does not accept admission during pregnancy. Also, there are some driving schools that take into consideration the fact that you are pregnant, and I actually have a friend who went to a driving school and got her license while pregnant. Each driving school has different policies regarding enrollment during pregnancy.
Please contact the driving school you are considering directly.

Check out the school facilities!

Find a driving school or take a tour! There are some checkpoints unique to pregnant women. You will also want to check what kind of facilities are available in and around the school.

[Checkpoint] Is there a Western-style toilet?

Have you ever heard that when you're pregnant, you're closer to the toilet?
It is said that the symptom of being too close to the toilet often lasts from early pregnancy until about the fourth month of pregnancy. Many people experience so-called morning sickness, such as stomach pain and heartburn.
Also, in the later stages of pregnancy, stomach pain and heartburn subside, and the growing belly puts pressure on the bladder and intestines, so many women end up moving closer to the toilet.
If you only have a Japanese-style toilet at that time, it will be difficult to maintain your position, so be sure to check to see if there is a Western-style toilet!

[Check point] Is there an elevator?

During pregnancy, your physical condition changes significantly, especially in the early stages, and in the later stages of pregnancy, as your belly grows, it becomes difficult to see your feet. Also, depending on the driving school, you may have to move to the 3rd or 4th floor.
Also, even if there is no elevator, it is important to check whether the driving school is barrier-free and whether there are handrails on the stairs. Let's check this out as well!

[Check point] Is it a bench chair?

During pregnancy, you want to take care of your body. Some of these chairs are made of wood and can make your butt hurt if you sit for a long time.
Also, some of the chairs in the break room are high chairs, so be sure to check if the chair has a firm foothold and is not hard like a pipe chair!
If your chair is hard, it may be a bit of a burden, but you may want to bring something like a cushion.

[Checkpoint] Is there a separate smoking area space?

During pregnancy, you are very sensitive to smells. In my case, I realized I was pregnant because I became sensitive to smells. The smell of perfumes and foods you used to like becomes unpleasant.
This is said to be due to the effects of hormones that are activated during pregnancy.
Even the slightest smell can make you feel unwell, so you may want to check to see if the environment is comfortable for you to spend your time at school, such as whether smoking is prohibited in areas other than smoking areas!

[Check point] Is there a snack space?

Some driving schools may not have a break room or snack area, and there may not be a place to sit. Therefore, be sure to check if there is a snack area!
Some driving schools provide snacks (bread) and drinks.
Also, since you may get hungry during pregnancy, it is recommended that you bring something easy to eat, such as gummy bears or candy, in addition to snacks, although this is not recommended during lessons.

[Checkpoint] Check the surrounding environment!

The thing that bothers me the most is when I feel unwell in the middle of class. If you research the emergency hospitals and gynecology clinics near the driving school you are attending, you may be able to move smoothly if you become unwell.

Be careful of the cancellation fee terms! !

You will be able to take classes at a time that is convenient for you, but you must reserve skills in advance. However, your physical condition is particularly susceptible to changes during pregnancy, so if you suddenly become unwell on the morning of your skill reservation, you may have to cancel. Cancellation fees may apply at that time.

Case 1: If you are unable to attend lessons the night before and the next day.
Naturally, the driving school is closed, so I can't contact you.
Approximately 4,000 yen may be charged as a skill cancellation fee.

Case ② In case of cancellation on the same day
Full skill cancellation fee may apply.

Case ③ If you cancel on the same day but it does not apply
If you tell the school that you are pregnant when you enroll, and the school knows about it, they may take your pregnancy into consideration and you may not be charged a cancellation fee even if you cancel on the same day.

In this way, the response will differ depending on the school, so it is safe to check before enrolling at the school you are considering.
In addition, some driving schools may offer a plan with peace of mind and no additional charges in case you suddenly become unwell. If you are not yet enrolled in school, consider a security plan that does not require additional fees!

Has anyone attended a driving school while pregnant?

There are many people who went to driving school and got their driving license even while pregnant.
Here I would like to introduce some of my experiences.

• I didn't go when I was having morning sickness, but I went when I was in a stable period.
• I found out I was pregnant right after I went to the driving school, but my morning sickness wasn't that bad, so I just kept going!

Source: http://mamastar.jp/bbs/comment.do?topicId=1409366

• It's almost 8 months old, but I'm still in the middle of going there☆
  When I started going, I found out I was pregnant and couldn't go for a long time due to morning sickness, so I recently started going again.
  Is it okay because they don't say anything in particular at the driving school? He worries about that.
• I also got pregnant just after I started attending driving school. I took a break until things stabilized, and continued going until I was almost due.
  I was really nervous during the driver's license exam, and my stomach was in a lot of pain. Also, it was difficult for me to sit on the table and chair as a pregnant woman...I was so fat due to my last month of pregnancy that I was embarrassed to show my driver's license photo...but I'm glad I got my driver's license before I gave birth!

Source: http://mamastar.jp/bbs/comment.do?topicId=548568

If you go there, is it a stable period? !

If you are not feeling well, you may end up canceling on the same day due to poor health, causing inconvenience to others.
Physical condition varies greatly from person to person, but in general, when a person reaches a stable period, their baby will grow considerably and their physical condition will stabilize.
However, as your stomach grows larger, you may find it difficult to be tightened by the seatbelt. Even if you say it's a stable period, it becomes difficult to move around in the second half of pregnancy when your belly really grows.
Also, it is not impossible to continue attending a driving school after giving birth, but it varies greatly from child to child until the child's rhythm stabilizes. Driving even though you are sleep deprived from crying at night can be dangerous. Don't push yourself too hard after giving birth.
As introduced in Figure 1, some daycare centers at driving schools may not be available until the child is 6 months old and cannot be used without further reservation. Just be sure not to push yourself too hard and consult your own physical condition before deciding.

[Training version]

Is the interval only 10 minutes?

At the driving school, the entire process from enrollment to graduation is determined by a timetable, and the school operates on a strict schedule, from the entrance ceremony to Driving Lessons and academic training, certification exams, and graduation ceremonies. One lesson period for both Driving Lessons and academic training is 50 minutes. If you are even slightly late for each lesson, the lesson will be deemed to be less than 50 minutes and will not be completed. Therefore, be sure to take your time and take your time.
Also, if the time following Driving Lessons is academic training, it is a good idea to know in advance which classroom the lecture will be held in.
The restrooms may also be crowded, especially since the intervals are 10 minutes, so please take that into consideration.

Is sitting for a long time during classroom lectures one of the causes of swelling? !

Swelling is caused by water retention in the body, and blood volume increases during pregnancy, especially to nourish the baby. Furthermore, as the baby grows, it is said to put pressure on the blood vessels in the lower body, slowing blood circulation and causing swelling. Therefore, you need to be careful if you stay in the same position for a long time. I also recommend wearing compression socks. There are also other exercises that you can do while sitting on a chair.

1. While sitting on a chair, place the soles of your feet on the ground and raise and lower your heels.
2. rotate the ankle
3. swing one's legs
   I think this alone can make a big difference, so if you're concerned about swelling, please give it a try!

Is the emergency relief system difficult?

When you advance to the second stage, there is a department called "first aid". First aid refers to the measures you take when you suddenly find yourself at the scene of an accident, until an ambulance or other vehicle arrives. In an emergency situation where every minute and every second counts, the way you deal with the situation will be different depending on whether you know the resuscitation measures or not.
Specifically, what we do is to learn how to perform cardiac massage and artificial respiration, and then the trainees actually perform cardiac massage and artificial respiration.
This first aid training requires 3 periods (50 minutes x 3 periods) in a row.
We do not accept teaching styles such as taking up to two classes on the day and only taking the third class at a later date. A requirement to complete the course is to take the course on consecutive days on the same day. Also, once your stomach grows, the position may become difficult, so try to undergo it as soon as possible after you progress to stage 2.

Can I choose my supervisor? !

Chart 2: Presence or absence of instructor nomination system [Tokyo area]

[Source] As of March 2018, according to our company's telephone survey
However, Driving Lessons generally involves a different instructor each time. Since one-on-one training is carried out, some driving schools have recently introduced a system in which you can nominate a female instructor or one with whom you are compatible, if you are not comfortable with a male instructor, or if you feel uncomfortable with a male instructor, especially if you are pregnant. There are many.
Consider using the instructor nomination system!
However, please note that it is not always the case that the desired instructor will be on vacation, so it is not always possible to get the desired result.
Also, even at driving schools that don't have a nomination system, there are many places where you can ask for advice if you think, ``I'm not good at this instructor.'' If you have any trouble while studying at the driving school, please consult the reception desk first!

Let's know that there is a 100 minute lesson!

The first stage is mainly one-on-one lessons, but when you move on to the second stage, you will begin group lessons in which you will work with other students.
One of these is high-speed training, which is said to be a 100-minute training course. As the name suggests, high-speed driving lessons are lessons that take place on the expressway from a driving school.
The main difference from regular roads is the speed limit. Also, many people say that the most stressful time is when merging onto the main line from the tollgate.
Also, this will probably be your first time riding in a car driven by the same trainee. During pregnancy, you tend to be less alert and feel more tired than usual, so try to take it when you are feeling well.

Can I leave my seat during the lecture? !

Both Driving Lessons and academic training are 50 minutes long. Afterwards, we take a 10-minute break, but the time seems to be tight. Lecture start times are very strict, and even if you are even a few minutes late, you will not be allowed to enter. Furthermore, even if you leave your seat for reasons such as going to the restroom during a lecture, you may not receive the stamp you receive at the end of the lesson.
However, even if you are pregnant and need to go to the toilet, the lesson may not be considered completed, so be careful!

Let's wear the maternity mark!

Wear the maternity mark when you find out you are pregnant. The maternity mark serves to protect the pregnant woman and her baby from all dangers. There are times when you can't tell if you're pregnant based on your appearance, or when you're on your way to school or class, so you don't know where or what you're pregnant. Wearing a maternity mark can be dangerous as you may be harassed! I've heard that opinion as well. However, if something were to happen, it would be safer to know that you are pregnant. The maternity marks promoted by the government are good, but there are also ones that say "with Baby" or ones with cute Disney designs. It is also recommended to use such goods, as they can convey the feeling of ``The Maternity'' at a glance without being too overpowering. Also, it is a good idea to carry your maternal and child health handbook with you when you go out.

lastly

During pregnancy, you become more sensitive to many things.

• headache or feverishness
• decreased concentration
• Change in food preferences
• upset stomach
• Lightheadedness/dizziness
• Feeling tired
• tinnitus
• I feel very hungry, etc.

In my case, I often felt sluggish and sleepy, and I became especially sensitive to smells.
It was like I could smell it from 10 meters away (lol).
At the time, I had a family member who was a baby smoker, so it was quite difficult. . .
Drowsiness is a big enemy during training, especially when it comes to driving, so it's best to take the training when you're feeling well.
Also, your physical condition varies greatly depending on the day, so if you have any concerns, please consult your doctor and don't overdo it!