Many questions come in a pregnant woman’s mind while driving a car or traveling in it, like, can the seatbelt cause an injury to me or my child? Here are Car Safety Rules Every Pregnant Women Should Know...
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11 critical car safety rules every pregnant women should know
1. 11 CriticalCar Safety Rules Every Pregnant
Women Should Know
June 18, 2018
Becoming a mother is the most beautiful feeling in the world. There is
nothing more important in the world than the baby that is preparing for
this world. However, pregnant women should be a lot more careful
when they are in a car because if an accident occurs they can easily
get hurt, moreover, they can hurt the baby as well.
Many questions come in a pregnant woman’s mind while driving a car
or traveling in it, like, can the seatbelt cause an injury to me or my
child? Are there any medical objections to driving? and many more.
Now that road travel is so frequent during the holiday period, some
pregnant women may have concerns regarding whether or not to get
behind the wheel. If the doctor does not suggest otherwise, it is
perfectly safe to drive. Also, don’t ignore and forget things that are to
be taken care of, as safety is an extremely crucial thing during
pregnancy. Nothing can go wrong as long as some recommendations
that are given below are followed.
2. Car Safety Rules for Pregnant Women: 11
Tips for a Safe Trip
Always wear your seatbelt
Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory for pregnant women. Most of the
pregnant women are using their seat belt in a wrong manner and that
can be dangerous for the child. You should wear one belt up to the
chest and another one under the belly because if you wear belt up to
the belly it can cause damage to the child. The lap belt must be placed
as far down as possible in order to restrain the woman at the pelvis
and avoid putting pressure on the fetus. The diagonal shoulder belt
must go over the abdomen, between the breasts and rest on the
collarbone.
3. Be a passenger
You should avoid driving during the pregnancy. Because in most
cases the belly is big enough so there is a very little gap between the
belly and the steering wheel. In such a case, even a minor crash can
be dangerous for your baby.
Don’t lean forward
While you are traveling you should always wear your seatbelt because
if you do that, you don’t need to lean forward. Also, keep your belly
about 25 cm away from the steering wheel because, sliding your seat
back away from the steering wheel helps prevent injuries in the event
of an accident if the lower part of the wheel comes into direct contact
with your abdomen.
Reduce by half, the risk of serious fetal injuries
according to the latest studies, half of all possible serious fetal injuries
in the case of an accident could be prevented by correctly wearing the
seatbelt. Without this safety device, a direct impact with the steering
wheel could cause serious injuries, such as placental abruption or
uterine rupture.
Always activate the airbag
Experts point out that it is advisable to activate both front seat airbags
when a pregnant woman is either driving or sitting in the front
passenger seat. This safety feature coupled with appropriate seat belt
use can protect a pregnant mother and her unborn child from crashing
into the vehicle’s interior, other passengers or being thrown from the
car in the event of an accident
Comfortable and safe, month after month
There is a huge difference between driving during your first trimester
of pregnancy and between months, four to nine. For this reason, it is
4. important to adjust the position of the seat as the months go by, adjust
the seat back as vertical as possible and adopt a correct sitting
position.
Wear a complementary pelvic band
Some women, especially if they are in late pregnancy, optionally
choose to wear a pelvic band below their belly. Although it is not
mandatory, it can make your trip more comfortable.
Loose, comfortableclothing,flat shoes, and relaxed
driving
As in any other normal circumstance, pregnant women are advised to
wear flat, comfortable shoes when driving. It is also advisable to
increase the safety distance to avoid any sudden maneuvers and
unpleasant surprises.
Make frequent stops
It is generally advisable to avoid making long trips. Constant hunger
and the need to take frequent bathroom breaks are common among
most pregnant women, so it is recommended to stop often and take
advantage to walk around and activate your blood circulation.
When to stop driving
There is no explicit prohibition in the case of a healthy pregnancy. A
pregnant woman must exercise “common sense” and stop driving
when they no longer feel comfortable behind the wheel. For this
reason, many pregnant women often stop driving during the last
month of their pregnancy.
5. Carry some snacks
Whenever you are traveling make sure that you carry a few bottles of
water and some fruits so that you can eat, whenever you feel low.
Things to remember
Rehydrate the body and have a light snack, also, avoid another
journey without having ample rest. Though car travels are safe but
there is always the possibility of sudden jerks and stops. If the road is
bad, you are sure to have an uncomfortable time. Intercity car travel
usually poses no bigger problems than nausea and can be undone
easily with a little extra care. For shorter trips, car journey is the best,
you can halt every two hours and have something to eat, drink, visit
the bathroom and walk a few steps every time to get out of the car. A
cushion to support the lower back will be a great asset. Never forget to
wear a seatbelt in spite of the airbag. Sitting in a particular position for
longer periods of time can cause your feet and ankles to swell and
cramp, so make sure you take a break every few hours, especially if it
is a long journey. During pregnancy, your urine output tends to
increase so you may need to stop frequently to visit the bathroom too.
Always remember that you need to stay alert while traveling during
pregnancy, by a car. Keep important things handy and make sure you
focus on your well-being in case of any chaos. Get rest where
required and be stress-free.