Is it Safe to Wear Seatbelt during Pregnancy

Wearing seatbelt during pregnancy is actually a must. It would be dangerous if an expecting mother were to travel without wearing it. Make sure of wearing a seatbelt every time you get into a car or truck. There is no dearth of research which shows that you have to protect yourself in order to protect your baby. The only question is how to position the safety belt during pregnancy.

To ensure that you protect yourself and your baby from injury, ensure that your seat belt is fastened properly. The lap belt need to be placed beneath your belly, fitting low and comfortably on the hipbones. Wearing the seatbelt above or across your belly is forbidden. If that is the case, an abrupt jolt from the car can be very dangerous for you and the baby. It could jerk the placenta away from the uterus.

Another precaution for women's travel during pregnancy is to warm the inside of the car if it happens to be cold. This will allow you to take off warm clothing that may lead to sliding up of seat belts. If it happens, risk of getting a jolt during car travel arises. Don’t forget to use shoulder belts too. They should fit comfortably between the breasts. The shoulder belts should not go across your neck and this can be ensured after a few adjustments to position your seat and belt correctly. Another incorrect way of doing this would be to place the shoulder belt beneath your arms or behind the back.

For additional protection, make sure your air bag is turned on. They are not a substitute for seatbelts though. You need to wear your seatbelt always and air bags can only be a means for additional protection. Not wearing seatbelt can actually make the air bags dangerous after opening up.

Seat belt use during pregnancy is even more important if you are driving. You should adjust the seatbelt away from steering wheel and dashboard and yet allowing your feet to reach the pedals. If your car meets with an accident, make sure you visit your healthcare provider as early as possible. Even if you feel there is nothing wrong with you, why take risk? Make sure that nothing is wrong with you and your baby.

Read more articles on Traveling during Pregnancy