Safety for Women – Protecting Pregnant Women in Car Accidents

Car accidents happen every day and the most defenseless from serious injuries is pregnant women. Most parents are diligent enough to buckle up children when driving, but the challenge remains on protecting a pregnant woman. Data recorded over time reveals that approximately 300 – 1000 unborn children die each year in car accident related injuries. Actually the mortality rates for unborn children is much higher than that of infants, this is the reason that pregnant women need to take more precautionary measures to protect the unborn child.

The risk factor

The highest risk factor in pregnant women is in the uterine attachment called the placenta. The placenta is a delicate tissue and it takes very little impact for it to detach itself from the uterus. When this happens, the baby lacks oxygen and this is the primary reason an accident leads to the loss of a fetus. The biggest culprit to blame for these kinds of accidents is the steering wheel, as the belly grows larger, it gets closer to the steering wheel and consequently an accident impact will result in the steering wheel hitting the belly.

The regular seat belt

The regular car seat belt is a three point and is perfect for regular individuals. However, this does not work very well with a pregnant woman. Many women are ill informed on how to use it, more so when pregnant. The belts feel very uncomfortable in these circumstances. It combines best with an air bag for enhanced protection.

The driver is at a higher risk if they are pregnant than a passenger who is pregnant. The pregnant woman is better off in the passenger seat than when driving herself. They are more likely to die in a car crash than they would in delivery.

How to make the car safer for a pregnant woman

A pregnant woman should always buckle up each time they are driving. They key is to ensure that you wear the belt appropriately. Consider using a lap shoulder sort of seat belt rather than a lap only seat belt. The lap only seat belt causes more harm than good to the pregnant driver. In spite of the discomfort, therein a woman will be more comfortable if they are using this kind of a belt. Wear the belt with the lap bit sitting across the hips and below the belly, you do not have to press the belly with the belt, which in the end will prompt you to remove it. Also wearing the belt in the wrong way could also cause injuries to the fetus.

On the other hand, ensure that the strap crosses over the shoulder and across the chest and move the car seat as far back wards as possible. One thing that you should never do is deactivate the air bags, ensure they are active, as they are secondary protection to impact. Used together, the seat belt and airbags protect the pregnant woman from fetal and personal fatality.

Other precautionary measures for women when driving

• Ensure that all the car occupants have seat belts on.
• Put children in infant car seats rather than the adult seat belts.
• Ensure that all the children are well strapped in.
• Always wear the lap and shoulder seat belt.
• Ensure that the seat belt fits properly.
• Two people should never wear the same seat belt.
• Never disable the air bags
• Always keep the maximum possible space between you and the steering wheel.
• Never use the cell phone when driving, do not answer calls, do not call, do not text.
• Never drink and drive
• Always obey traffic signs and signals as well as using your own appropriately.