Tips For Driving Pregnant – Parenting
First of all, being pregnant is not in itself a contraindication for you in your vehicle. However, there are a few precautions you should take to keep you and the baby safe at all times.
If you are a mother driver you must always fasten your seat belt, when this is not contraindicated by any case of force majeure. You should know that there are two riskier periods for you and the baby during your pregnancy. These are the two following periods:
- During the first trimester . This is a time of high risk for placental abruption or uterine rupture, when there is very little amniotic fluid.
- During advanced pregnancy. In the event of an accident, the possibility of a premature delivery within 48 consecutive hours is doubled.
If you are going to be a mother soon and driving, you need to be aware of this and not overconfidence.
During pregnancy, mothers should keep in mind that they are much more fragile. They also have the responsibility to carry within them another life, in addition to their own.
Tips for mothers who drive
At the start of pregnancy, many women feel nauseous and tired. These types of symptoms can affect your ability to concentrate. Also, if you do not feel well in the morning, we recommend that you take public transport to get around.
If you decide to take your own vehicle to get around, we recommend a few things about:
- Always consult a specialist doctor. It is not advisable to drive when you feel contractions, disturbances in your pregnancy or the risk of premature labor.
- Comfort and safety at the wheel. A pregnant woman must adapt the distance between her seat and the steering wheel to her new situation, from the first moment. It is important that the clothes always remain under the seat belt, in order to avoid uncomfortable pressures.
Always use the seat belt correctly
- Take breaks. Pregnant women should avoid journeys longer than three consecutive hours. They can make stops every hour to stretch their legs, hydrate and go to the bathroom.
- Maintain a gap. The distance between your body and the steering wheel should be at least 25 centimeters, especially if the vehicle is equipped with airbags. These should be oriented towards the thorax and the head, never towards the abdomen.
- Good posture. The back should be as straight as possible.
- Avoid abrupt maneuvers, such as sudden acceleration or braking. If you are going to be a mother driver, you need to take into consideration not only your driving but that of other drivers as well. Warning !
We strongly recommend that you do not drive during the last period of your pregnancy, or make your trips by car.
After childbirth, the doctor will decide the best time for you to start driving again.
NOTE: Airbags are not dangerous as long as you maintain a minimum distance from your body of approximately 20 to 27 centimeters. In the event of a collision, the airbag will trigger around your head and chest. It prevents the seat belt from putting additional pressure on your stomach as much as possible.
Some additional recommendations
The way to fasten the seat belt should be like this: the horizontal part should never be placed on the stomach. Indeed, in the event of an accident, the pressure of the belt could cause damage to the baby. You must pass it under your stomach, at the level of the groin. The top band should go across your chest, between your breasts.
We recommend that pregnant women opt for the seat belt with three attachment points, which therefore offers better security.
Pregnant women should know that the correct use of seat belts reduces serious fetal damage by more than 50%. Not using it implies an increased risk of expulsion of the mother in the event of an accident.
So that the belt does not move from side to side while you are driving, you can place a small pad to keep it in place.
Another more comfortable variant, you can use a special adapter that incorporates the three-point system. The mother conductor sits on a flat cushion from which a double band emerges from the thighs to the top. This wraps around the lower part of the belt and keeps it in place.
Above all, do not hesitate to consult a specialist in the event of the appearance of symptoms. Remember that seat belt use greatly reduces the severity of injury to you and baby.
