Seat belt safety and other tips for pregnant women
In normal daily life, car safety is second nature to most people. You get in, fasten your seatbelt, adjust your seat and mirrors, and drive away. Often it becomes something you don't think about until you become responsible for someone's safety. Then there will be something to think about.
The physical changes during pregnancy can bring many problems of their own, but not least is how they can affect your driving and safety features, which we often take for granted. Since you are protecting two people and not one, you should take extra care when riding in a car as a driver or passenger. The CDC estimates that approximately 33,000 pregnant women are involved in car accidents each year, which is one of the leading causes of injury and death during pregnancy. But the risk can be minimized with the right technique, so you don't have to completely compromise on driving comfort.
Seat belts must be properly fastened at all times without exception. A swollen belly can make this a little more difficult, but it can be done. The lap belt should be worn under the belly and the shoulder belt should pass over the chest and shoulder without touching the neck. Never put the shoulder straps behind you - if they touch your neck and you can't adjust them, try moving the seat further or straightening the back.
Airbags do not replace seat belts. They are designed to support the seat belts but cannot protect you from being ejected in the event of an accident. On the other hand, they are an important safety feature and will help mitigate any potential impact. For this reason, it's best not to disable them, even if the option is available.
Whenever possible, the seat should be moved as far back as is comfortable and safe, especially while driving. The biggest threat to the safety of an unborn child is hitting the steering wheel, so a space of at least ten inches between the chest and the steering wheel can help prevent blunt force trauma in the event of an accident. If you are short, ask your local dealer about installing pedal extensions. If that's not an option either, you may have to give up driving for a while!
If you can avoid driving at all, do it. The passenger seat allows you to lean back and relax at a safer distance from anything that could hit you in the stomach in the event of an impact or even a sudden stop. You will be able to sit further away from the dashboard in the event of an airbag deployment, which can actually help improve their effectiveness and make seatbelt wearing more comfortable without forcing you to reach further for the pedals or gearshifts.
If you are involved in an accident as a passenger or driver, no matter how minor, seek medical attention immediately. Even if you are not injured, there may be internal trauma that you may not immediately detect. Better to err on the side of caution, and better for your peace of mind.
Of course, it goes without saying that the safest course of action would be to give up driving altogether, but that's also an option that's far from comfortable. While pregnancy can often change our view of the world and make us much more aware of potential dangers, now that it's not just about our own well-being, there's no reason to forego our usual comforts. Even if it takes a little more risk awareness than before, just consider it a practice for the future.
