Image Credit : Etsy

Automobile safety would always be a major topic to discuss no matter how advanced we are in technology.

Apart from old people and children ,pregnant women are very fragile.Most pregnant women might have their spouse driving them or they result to public transport .

What if there is an emergency or you have no option and you just have to drive while pregnant ?.

Here are some tips to help keep you safe.

1.Avoid Driving

Yeah , I know you don’t have a choice .Just avoid it as much as you can especially when you are very close to delivery .

2.Avoid Major Roads

Just take the internal roads ,you don’t want to get into a situation where you have to get into a tussle with Danfo drivers.

Its also safer to take internal roads ,because there is a reduced chance of you getting into an accident .

3.Make Sure The Air Bags Are Working

Always make sure the air bags are working and do routine checks .

Always make sure its fully functional and not deactivated.

4.Use A Three-Point Safety Belt Properly

Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women use a three-point safety belt .

When making use of a three-point seat belt always place the lap belt portion below the abdomen and on your upper thigh as low as possible on the hips.Never place it over your belly or across your waist.Also position the shoulder belt along the sternum(just below your collar bone).

5.Minimize Driving In Harsh Weather

Try as much as possible not to drive in unclear weather ,such as rainy or foggy weather.

6.Avoid Leaning Forward

Leaning forward when driving would increase the risk of injuries to you or your baby in the event of a crash.

Always rest your back on the chair and make sure the seatbelt isn’t slack .

7.Keep A Safe Distance From The Steering Wheel

Always tilt your chair away from the steering wheel and maintain a safe distance of at least 10 Inches(25cm) from the steering wheel.Also ensure the steering wheel is tilted towards your sternum and not your abdomen .

8.Be Prepared Always

Always have every thing you might need in your car in case of an emergency.

Make sure your phone is fully charged and loaded up in case you have to make a call,toiletries and clean cloths might also come in handy when you least expect it.

9. Don’t Take Anything For Granted

If you are in a crash even a minor one, make sure you check with your doctor to make sure everything is ok.

10. Share Your Location At All Times

Make sure someone knows your location at all times, especially a family or loved one.

There are apps that can enable you do that easily .

Hope you learnt a thing or two.

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References :

ACOG. Undated. Travel during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

CDC. 2002 PRAMS Surveillance Report: Multistate exhibits prenatal care counseling, seat belt use during pregnancy. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/PRAMS/2002PRAMSSurvReport/MultiStateExhibits/Multistates6.htm

NHTSA. Undated. Specific needs, pregnant women. National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration.

NSC. Undated. NHTSA questions and answers: What if I’m pregnant, should I disconnect my air bag? National Safety Council.

www.michigan.gov

www.babycenter.com

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