Mobility Scooters for Pregnant Women (Temporary Aid)
For Obese | Pregnant and Shopping, Long Rides, Comfort Features, Disability Featues 
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Pride Mobility Maxima For Obese | Pregnant and Shopping, Long Rides, Comfort Features, Disability Featues 
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Tall / Obese / Pregnant People, Luxury + Portability 
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Mobility scooters for pregnant women must include features for their safety and comfort.
WIth the right options, the mobility scooter ride can be enjoyable and pain-free. With the wrong ones, you’ll feel every bump in the road transferred from the solid tires to the hard seat.
In this article, I will show you how the scooter’s tires, tiller, throttle, seat type, seat features, seat accessories, deck height, suspension, brakes, storage, and mobility aid storage add-ons can help you with choosing the best mobility scooters for pregnant women.
Key takeaways:
- Not all feature options apply to pregnant users, but I will teach you about the choices that matter to any rider so you can be an informed buyer.
- A throttle can be one-handed or ambidextrous (use either hand)
- A deck height determines how high a step you make to board your scooter
- The seat rotation feature can make it easier to get on and off the mobility scooter
- The brakes can be automatic (good) or manual (requires you to squeeze a lever)
- The seat can be significant and cushioned or small and less comfortable; if you’re in pain, seat choices matter.
- Armrests can be padded and adjustable for your comfort
- Mobility aid storage gives you a proper place to put your oxygen, cane, or crutches.
- Suspension coils protect you from feeling the bumps and dives in the road.
- The tire type can impact whether you feel the bumps in the road, which are, I promise you, annoying when you’re not feeling well.
Mobility Scooters for Pregnant Women: Why You’ll Enjoy This Choice
Pregnancy is full of fun, like pelvic girdle pain, sciatica, and severe swelling.
It can make walking difficult or painful.
Pregnancy can cause fatigue, making doing the most basic or essential tasks difficult.
If you have pre-existing conditions such as chronic illness or disabilities, you might find your mobility further reduced during pregnancy.
Perhaps due to placenta previa, your doctor requires you to limit physical exertion to avoid the risk of preterm labor.
If you carry twins or triplets, you might encounter these mobility issues earlier than other women.
A mobility scooter can help with pregnancy-related pain and disabilities.
It can help you get from place to place on the job, and navigate shopping centers and hospitals.
A mobility scooter can help the pregnant woman who has balance issues without engaging a caregiver for help.
It can even be an alternative to bed rest because it saves you so much exertion.
Which Features Make a Pregnancy-Friendly Mobility Scooter?
A mobility scooter can add joy to your life so long as it doesn’t add to your existing problems.
Let’s put together a pregnancy-friendly mobility scooter.
Controls
Throttle
Whether mobility scooters for pregnant women include one throttle type over another doesn’t matter much. I include it for your information as an informed buyer.
The throttle is like the gas pedal on a car.
Most people will do best with the wigwag throttle (also known as ambidextrous) because it allows you to drive with either hand.
The throttle options are:
- Thumb lever: A small lever you push with your thumb. Great for those with limited hand strength or dexterity.
- Twist grip: This grip is similar to a motorcycle throttle. You twist it to go. It’s ideal if you have good grip strength.
- Wigwag: A see-saw style lever you can operate with either hand (ambidextrous). Perfect for users with strength on only one side.
The thumb and twist throttles are usually right-hand only.
This can sometimes be arranged when you order for people who want a left-hand operation.
The wigwag throttle is ambidextrous so that you can use either hand.
Usually, it’s set up so that to move forward, you pull toward you with the right hand or push away from you with the left.
The opposite goes in reverse. You push with your right or pull with your left to reverse the mobility scooter.
Yes, it gets confusing sometimes. But when you start going wrong, you correct your actions by doing the opposite.
Tiller
As with the throttle, whether mobility scooters for pregnant women include one tiller type over another doesn’t matter much. I include it for your information as an informed buyer.
The most popular tiller type is the delta wraparound.
Choosing the delta can help you avoid uncomfortable positions when steering.
Here are your tiller choices and more about the delta’s advantages.
You can choose a tiller shape, height, and angle.
- Adjustable angle tillers allow you to bring the steering closer or push it further away.
- Adjustable height tillers allow you to raise or lower the steering apparatus.
- A delta tiller (a wraparound) is a triangle with a large surface area for easy gripping.
- A T-bar tiller is a crossbar atop the vertical pole with much less surface area to grab.
A delta wraparound tiller is the best choice because you can use either hand to steer it.
The alternative is a T-Bar tiller.
This T-Bar handlebar has the smallest surface area, just enough to host the throttle and a manual brake lever.
The delta is preferable for hand issues because delta wraparounds have a large surface area.
You can control the steering by nudging anywhere along a big triangle, and honestly, you could do it with your feet if you were so positioned.
The delta tiller is usually wrapped in a soft neoprene that also helps you hold on to steer.
A third reason a delta is better is that it is closer to you as a rider.
The T-Bar sits atop the tiller pole, while the delta enters the space between the seat and the rod.
In other words, the T-bar makes you reach more to steer.
An angle-adjustable tiller allows you to bring the steering apparatus closer to you or push it away for more legroom.
You might find that angling the tiller toward you makes it easier to sit comfortably while riding.
A height-adjustable tiller raises up or down, so it’s for taller or shorter users.
Brakes
The braking system you choose can significantly impact avoiding pain-triggering events.
There are two types of brakes:
- Automatic brakes: You let go of the throttle to engage the automatic brakes. The cool thing about automatic brakes is that they are “on” by default.
- Manual brakes: You squeeze a lever to control whether the manual brakes are on or off.
The automatic brake is safer and easier to use than the manual brake.
If your power shuts off (say you’re going up a steep hill and the motor is overloaded), the mobility scooter will throw a fuse to save itself.
If the mobility scooter has a manual brake, you will squeeze the brake lever to prevent going backward.
Automatic brakes are much safer because they automatically kick in without power.
The scooter comes to a complete stop, brakes fully engaged, and there’s no rolling backward.
Some larger mobility scooters have auxiliary manual brakes, but automatic brakes are the first line of defense.
Automatic brakes are usually listed as “Electromagnetic” or “Automatic.”
The automatic variety saves you from reaching for the brake, squeezing its lever, and maintaining that squeeze when you’re on an incline.
Seats
The seat options affect your comfort (via cushions) and positioning.
I have three mobility scooters at the moment. All have the half seats, and the scooters do not have suspension systems.
I can feel every bump and hole in the road and sidewalk.
If I were already in pain, this would be intolerable.
For people in pain, the best defense is a comfortable seat (the Captain’s seat is best), a suspension system, and air-filled tires (we’ll get to this below).
Seat Types
Captain’s Seat
A Captain’s seat is the most padded and the largest of the mobility scooter seat options. It is designed for comfort.
It has a tall backrest topped with a headrest, adjustable padded armrests.
It has a swivel function allowing you to rotate the seat for easier boarding/unboarding, and for using the seat while attending events.
The recline feature allows you to move the backrest back at an angle as you would with a recliner chair in the living room.
Stadium Seat
A stadium seat is a full-sized, cushioned seat with armrests, a high backrest, and ample padding, similar to what you might find on office chairs or car seats.
Its padding and comfort options are better than a half seat, but not as nice as a Captain’s seat.
A stadium seat typically has nice padding, a full back, and some subset of the reclining, swivel and slider functions.
Half Seat
A half seat is usually smaller, with less padding and lower back support.
It might have padded armrests and movement functions, but the lack of padding and coverage make it best for shorter trips.
Seat Movements
Swivel Seat (Rotating)
A swivel seat can rotate 360 degrees.
You can use this feature to point the seat toward you before sitting down.
It allows you to sit down first, then put your feed on the floorboard.
This saves you the step up if that is a problem area for you.
Your feet will naturally be higher as you sit down, and you can rest them on the floorboard.
You can also use the seat swivel when using your scooter at a restaurant table or hanging out at the park or a concert.
Seat Reclining
A reclining seat allows you to angle the seat back backwards.
This is the same movement as you get in a living room recliner chair.
Larger people can use the recline feature to add room to their ride.
For some people (myself included), reclining is an excellent way to relieve back pain.
Slider Seat (Sliding Seat)
A sliding seat reduces or enlarges the space between the seat and the tiller, depending on how you slide it.
This is the movement of your car seat when you slide toward the steering wheel to get closer, or away from it to make more room.
The slider helps taller and shorter people create the correct distance between their arms and the steering controls.
Seat Options and Add-Ons
Some mobility scooters include seat upgrades, and you can also buy some upgrades in the aftermarket.
Seat Cushions
Many mobility scooters offer optional padded seat upgrades, such as going from a default half-seat to a stadium seat.
You can also purchase excellent seat cushions at medical stores and on the web.
I find the standard full-size mobility scooter seats to be much too hard, and will be buying cushions for comfort soon.
Armrests
Armrests are often standard on full-size and heavy-duty mobility scooters.
They’re usually padded for comfort.
Many mobility scooters (especially those from Pride Mobility) have width-adjustable armrests.
You can make them wider or narrower to the seat.
Once in a while, you’ll see height-adjustable armrests.
Another option is removing the armrests if that works for your comfort.
Suspension System
A suspension system puts coils above the wheels (and sometimes under the seat) to cushion the bumps and jolts of the road.
If you are in any pain, this, combined with seat cushions, will make riding a pleasure instead of a pain.
Suspension is one of the three components of a pain-free, comfortable ride:
- Suspension to soften the bumps
- A Captain’s seat for a cushioned experience
- Air-filled tires to prevent vibrations up the chain
Tires and Wheels
Large, air-filled tires absorb shock better than small, solid tires.
However, solid tires are safer for off-road riding, because they don’t go flat after punctures.
If you are choosing air-filled tires for pain relief and comfort, avoid terrain that might puncture them.
You will likely find air-filled tires on “bariatric” mobility scooters for heavy people.
Seat Belt
A seat belt is optional on some mobility scooters.
The seat belt can help you stay in place if the you are experiencing instability, weakness or dizziness.
This seat belt looks like it will work on a mobility scooter, so long as the chair is solid in back.
Deck
Deck Length
The typical full-size mobility scooter deck is 40 inches long (3 ft. 4 in.). This is the distance from end to end. The seat and controls are closer because they’re inside this space.
Longer mobility scooters typically have more legroom than shorter ones.
The more room there is, the further you are from the controls. This might work well for you, or it could be a problem because the controls are too far from your hands.
To create the correct distance between your hands and the controls, look at the deck length and whether the tiller angle is adjustable.
A longer deck is better for a tall person, but a short person might find the controls too far away. If the tiller angle is adjustable, you can bring the controls to you without sacrificing the comfort of a longer deck.
Deck Height
The deck height refers to the distance from the ground to the floorboard. A lower deck height requires fewer steps to get on board.
Look for a low ground-to-deck height for the smallest possible step up onto the mobility scooter.
This value is only sometimes stated in the specifications.
In that case, look for a low “ground clearance,” which is the distance from the ground to the lowest part under the mobility scooter.
Ground clearance is not the size of the step but a proxy for how high the deck is. Look for a ground-to-deck of 6 or fewer inches.
If using the ground clearance, use a value of up to 3 inches.
This minimizes how high of a step you will make to get onto the mobility scooter.
Another way to handle issues boarding your vehicle is to get a swivel seat option.
Mobility Aid Storage
Some mobility scooters have storage options for mobility and health aids, such as canes, crutches, and oxygen tanks.
When you see “hitch” accessories, that refers to optional mobility aid attachments.
Which Size and Type of Mobility Scooter Should You Get?
The choices of which size mobility scooter to get include small, medium, and large, which the industry refers to as:
- Compact
- Full-size
- Heavy-duty
You would choose a compact or full-size for indoor or indoor-outdoor use.
Most heavy-duty mobility scooters are outdoor-only because they’re too big to use indoors.
The compact and full-size mobility scooters can be portable as well.
If you want to put the mobility scooter in the car, you may want a take-apart (disassembly) portable mobility scooter.
These break into smaller pieces so you can lift the pieces into the car.
Some folding mobility scooters are also light and small enough for car portability.
For cruise ships (when you’re not getting a handicapped room), look for a mobility scooter less than 24 inches wide.
For airplane portability, look for a compact or full-size mobility scooter with an “airline-approved” battery. This battery has 200 or fewer watt hours and will be marked “airline friendly” or not.
How to Identify the Type of Mobility Scooter
I have my head in mobility scooters 10 hours a day, so it’s obvious to me when I’m looking at a heavy duty bariatric or a portable folding travel scooter.
I made this slideshow for you so you can see what I see.
This should make shopping much easier.
Top Pregnancy Mobility Scooters
Here are my favorite mobility scooter choices for pregnant women dealing with pain, balance issues or exertion fatigue.
1. Shoprider Enduro XL 4: Luxury + Comfort
Popular and Reliable  Pride Go Go Elite Traveller 2 4-Wheel Best for average-size and short people
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12-inch wheels, air-filled tires, a full suspension system and that soft but supportive Captain’s seat make the Shoprider Enduro XL my choice for a comfortable, pain-free mobility scooter experience.
Rather than feeling every bump in the road through small, solid tires and a hard, cushion-less seat, you can safely ride on the Enduro knowing it won’t add to your back pain and sciatica.
The automatic brakes stop the wheels as soon as you let go of the throttle, so you don’t even need to think about stopping. The seat adjusts in every direction,
and you can bring the tiller closer to rest your arms. while maintaining impressive legroom.
With a 28 inch width, you CAN use the Enduro indoors, but it will make a tight fit going through 32 inch-wide doors.
However, it is not a portable mobility scooter. It doesn’t disassemble or fold. The battery is airline-friendly, you can ask if they’ll place the scooter in cargo for you..
The seat adjusts in every possible direction, including height, sliding back and forth, and rotating, to make it easy to get on and off.
The hitch accepts mobility aid options for your oxygen, crutches, or cane.
The armrests are width-adjustable and padded.
The throttle is an ambidextrous wigwam, so you can use either hand to drive.
The brakes are automatic, requiring no squeezing. Just let go of the throttle.
The delta wraparound tiller gives you plenty of soft neoprene to hold for steering.
If I were looking for a comfortable ride through pregnancy, I’d jump on the Shoprider Enduro.
Conclusion
A mobility scooter brings you back to people, fresh air, and sunshine.
If you get a mobility scooter with the right accommodations for your situation, you can enjoy life like the person you once were.
The choices are pretty easy because they’re often the default (auto stopping breaks, delta tiller, and ambidextrous throttle) are industry default options.
Now, you can confidently shop for a mobility scooter, knowing you have the best possible chances for success.
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