Why Should I Wear a Seat Belt While I’m Pregnant?
Wearing a seat belt is the best way to protect you and your baby during a vehicle crash. Being ejected from the vehicle during a crash is almost always fatal. Research shows that unbelted pregnant women are three times more likely to lose their baby in a crash than if belted. They are also two times as likely to have excessive maternal bleeding. Even in a minor crash where people are not seriously injured, there is a chance of losing the baby. Always wear a seatbelt to protect your baby and yourself.
What’s the Right Way to Wear My Seat Belt While I’m Pregnant?
Shoulder Belt
Place diagonally across the center of your chest, between your breasts, and rest on the center of your collar bone. Place down the side of your belly. No twists in webbing.
Lap Belt
Place below the curve of your belly so it fits snugly across your hips and pelvic bone.
To help with fit, try:
- Turn the center section of the lap belt flat against the top of your thighs.
- Slide the webbing under the curve of your belly until it rests on your hips and pelvic bone. Lifting your belly may additionally help with snug placement
- Remove any excess slack.
Is it Safe to Use a Maternity Seat Belt Adjuster?
No. They are not regulated and they are not crash-tested. Such devices introduce excess slack into the seat belt, reducing the seat belt’s ability to work properly.
Vehicle and seat belt manufacturers go through extensive testing and are required to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Using the vehicle’s standard three-point seat belt correctly every time is proven to keep you and your baby safer during a crash.
How Do I Adjust the Settings in My Vehicle for a Better Fit?
Safety first- make sure your vehicle is safely parked while making adjustments.
Use all available vehicle options to get into a comfortable and upright position. Consult your owner’s manual for more information about your vehicle’s features.
Depending on seating position, you may be able to adjust your recline angle, seat height, shoulder belt height, distance from the dashboard, and head rest.
Remember to:
- Avoid gapping between the shoulder and seat belt webbing.
- Keep your back flush with seat back, avoid leaning forward.
- Keep as much space as possible between your torso and the front airbag.
If you are driving, your vehicle may also allow you to adjust the steering wheel angle or steering column length.
Ensure you can still:
- Reach the brake pedal with the ball of your foot.
- Control the steering wheel. Test for distance and range of motion by grasping the top of the steering wheel. Your elbow should be slightly bent if you’re at an appropriate distance. Drive with your left hand between the 7 and 9 o'clock positions and your right hand between the 3 and 5 o'clock positions on the wheel.
- See over the top of the steering wheel.
- Use your mirrors- don’t forget to adjust after moving your seat.
If you need help, Safe Kids Worldwide — Find A Tech may be a helpful resource. Look for a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician with extra training in Prenatal Vehicle Safety Education.
Air Bags
Doctors recommend leaving air bags turned on, whether riding as a passenger or the driver. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts to protect both mother and child. When driving, tilt the steering wheel so the airbag is directed towards the chest, not the belly. Ensure at least ten inches of space between the steering wheel and your torso.
What Do I Do if I’m in a Crash?
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not feel injured.
Planning for My Child’s First Ride
Get your car seat early. Practice installation in your vehicle and harnessing before your due date.
Need help choosing the correct car seat for your child? You may find these resources useful:
- Car Seats: Information for Families — American Academy of Pediatrics/HealthyChildren.org
- Find the Right Seat — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
If cost is a barrier, help may be available.
Request free training and learn how to use your seat before your due date. Not every car seat fits in every vehicle.
Resources
How to Wear Your Seatbelt — Hudson Center for Prenatal Vehicle Safety
How to Wear a Seatbelt When Pregnant — Buckle Up for Life
Car Safety for Pregnant Women, Babies, and Children — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)