WomenhealthandbeautyForum

christina · Joined: 25 Feb 2009 Posts: 44

Hi
Is it safe to use a seat belt during pregnancy?

rethika · Joined: 11 Apr 2009 Posts: 58

hello,

Absolutely! In fact, it's dangerous not to. Research has repeatedly shown that the best way to protect your growing baby is to protect yourself: Wear a properly positioned safety belt each and every time you're in a car or truck.

To avoid injuring yourself and your baby, though, the seat belt must be properly fastened. The lap belt should be secured below your belly, low and snug on your hipbones. Never wear the belt across or above your belly. During a crash, the sudden jolt from a belt in this position could cause the placenta to tear away from the uterus.

If possible, warm up the inside of your car before heading out in cold weather. That way you can take off heavy winter coats and sweaters, which can cause the seat belt to slide up on your belly.

Always use the shoulder belt, too, which should fit snugly between your breasts. If the shoulder belt cuts across your neck, reposition your seat or the belt so it fits better. Do not place the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back.

Air bags offer additional protection, so make sure yours are turned on. Air bags do not, however, replace the need to always wear your seat belt. (In fact, an air bag can be dangerous if it opens and you're not securely buckled up.)

When you're driving, adjust the front seat so it's as far away as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard while still allowing you to reach the pedals comfortably.

By the way, if you're in a car accident — even a minor one and you feel just fine — you should see your healthcare provider without delay so she can make sure that both you and your baby are unharmed.

servinvenitha · Joined: 17 Mar 2009 Posts: 46

hello,
I think it's safe for pregnant women to use seat belts you just have to wear them right

mabal · Joined: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 94

hi,,

Yes, my doctor told me to always wear my seatbelt, and to fix it under my belly.

jenitharosy · Joined: 05 Aug 2009 Posts: 20

hello,

I was wearing my seatbelt correctly & was caught in a rear end collision! It saved my belly from flying into the steering wheel, but also caused some complications. I had a 'false positive' result for the AFP test come back saying my child could have Spina Biffida, well when they did the Amnio they saw the fluid was a rust color (which indicated blood) and they were able to piece together that shortly after the accident my placenta attempted to detach, but didn't (thank goodness) and my pregnancy continued w/ blood in the amniotic fluid, wich transfered in my bloodstream for the AFP test! So the amnio proved that baby was OK and I got to know 99.9% that it was a girl!!! Even though my seatbelt caused harm, it was still little compared to 'what could have been'

aruna · Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 25

hello,

When I was 8.5 months I was in a head on collision. My tightly fastened seatbelt prevented me from moving and from my belly from hitting the stearing wheel. Shortly after I felt the baby move and knew everything was fine. I shudder to think of what might have happened if I wasn't wearing one, or not wearing one right. To this day I still thank my lucky stars for that seatbelt.

jeffivee · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 14

hello,

Even when I wasn't pregnant I would ALWAYS wear my seat belt. A few of my family members' lives have been saved because of wearing their seat belt. I agree that the best way to protect baby is to protect yourself. Please wear it all the time! It's not just you that you'll save if someone hits you.

banurekha · Joined: 07 Aug 2009 Posts: 16

hello,

It is always safer to use a seat belt, but it is important to wear it so that it fits across your thighs and under your bump -- not across the middle of it. If the belt is positioned across your body, pressure from it could hurt your baby if you were in an accident. Experts recommend that the shoulder portion of the belt should sit over your collarbone and the lap portion as low as possible on your hips and across your upper thighs. Never place the lap portion above your abdomen.

As your pregnancy progresses, you will find it uncomfortable to sit in the car for long periods, so if a long journey is unavoidable, plan to have frequent short breaks. A cushion or foam wedge in the small of your back may help to prevent backache.