Pregnant women are advised against riding a vehicle because of the stress and dangers of being on the road. Besides being unsure of unexpected physiological symptoms, it can be dangerous to be pregnant and behind the wheel. This risk is present for both drivers and passengers, no matter how safe driving routes may be.
All car accidents have a degree of danger and risk to passengers. However, it’s even more dangerous for pregnant women, even if they feel like they’re physically free from harm. The impact of a car crash can lead to different internal complications that can compromise their unborn child’s safety.
Understanding Car Accidents and Pregnant Passengers
A car crash can cause preterm labor or force a pregnant woman to give birth 37 weeks too early. Additionally, a pregnant passenger can experience premature rupture of the membrane, breaking the sac around the baby before labor.
A miscarriage or stillbirth is common when women experience severe physical stress. This is why wearing a seatbelt is necessary to prevent the risk of severe internal injuries.
Wearing a Seatbelt Properly
Your lap and shoulder belt combination is a part of your car’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS). Your seat belt works in coordination with different sensors to check if you’ll need a drastic emergency response for your safety. During a car crash, your seat belt’s pretensioners will trigger, tightening the sashes’ webbing to reduce slack and keep you in place. However, this cannot occur if you don’t wear your seat belt properly.
First, you need to secure the shoulder sash across your collarbone and keep it snug between your breasts. Avoid hitting your neck or putting your shoulder belt under your arm. Next, the lap belt should stay under your belly to prevent a suffocating tightening on your stomach.
Since a pregnant woman’s body will undergo various physiological changes, you may need to adjust your sitting posture. Doing so will help you put on your seat belt properly and let you stay comfortable as you wear it. As a general rule, there must be at least ten inches of space between your belly and the steering wheel.
Minimizing Risk of Car Accidents
Although pregnant women are advised to stay at home and avoid physically strenuous activities, most future moms cannot delay their other responsibilities. Going to the office and heading to the grocery are tasks that require them to use public transportation or their own vehicle. While it’s still best to limit driving, here are some safety tips you can follow if you need to travel in a vehicle:
- Limit your driving hours to 5-6 hours a day. If you can have someone else drive for you, the better.
- Have an emergency contact on hand in case you can no longer keep driving due to pregnancy-related pains or symptoms.
- If your belly is too big to fit the safety allowance above and you can no longer reach the steering wheels safely, it’s best to take the passenger seat.
Conclusion
Seat belts are lifesavers, especially for people particularly vulnerable to physical impact. If you want to maintain your safety while inside a vehicle during a car crash, you need to ensure that your seat belts are working. Thankfully, you can receive repair services to diagnose and replace your car’s damaged webbing.
It’s important to put your car in the right hands to ensure that it receives the proper care you need, especially for your specific condition. This is why our team at Safety Restore is committed to delivering quality service. If your car needs seat belt repairs to ensure your safety, contact us today.
