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Shelley Parker is still driving a bus at 39 weeks pregnant — she has medical clearance and says it's a great job because she's sitting down. Photo: Manly Daily. Source: News Limited
WHILE most pregnant women are happy to put their feet up in the final weeks, Shelley Parker is still driving buses — and is happy to drive herself to hospital if the need arises.
Now 39 weeks and three days into her first pregnancy, Mrs Parker has medical clearance to keep on driving until tomorrow — her baby girl is due on Monday.
Keeping it in the family, her father also drives buses while her husband and brother-in-law work at bus maintenance depots.
Joining her at the Terrey Hills depot of Forest Coach Lines is another brother-in-law who works in the administration office.
“My father always encouraged me to give it a go and now I’ve been driving for seven years, up to eight hours a day,†Mrs Parker, 32, of North Narrabeen, said.
Photo: Manly Daily. Source: News Limited
“Driving buses is a really pregnancy-friendly job because I’m sitting down.
“I don’t have any signs of labour yet, but there’s lots of movement.
“If I do feel anything when I’m driving I’ll stop the bus and assess the situation — I’ll make a call to the depot on our radio system that all of the other drivers can hear so I’ll have a lot of help available.
“But depending on where I was I would definitely ask for approval to drive to the nearest hospital.â€
She praised Forest for being a very accommodating employer in allowing her to drive the larger “bendy†buses in the latter stages of her pregnancy.
They give her more room due to their adjustable steering wheels, power steering and comfortable seats, which are aerated for the suspension.
Photo: Manly Daily. Source: News Limited
“I’ve been very fortunate to have a good pregnancy other than a little bit of nausea,†she said.
“I haven’t had to take any sick leave and have only had a bit of time off for medical appointments.
“I can take a nap during my lunch break and all of the other drivers, who are mostly men, have been so supportive.â€
Unfortunately Mrs Parker is not eligible for the Federal Government’s paid parental leave because she works permanent part time (but is employed as a casual) and she took 10 weeks leave last year meaning she didn’t work for 10 out of 13 months before giving birth.
She decided to keep on working up to her due date to ease any financial pressure on her family and is planning to return to work about two months after giving birth, starting with one day and building up from there.