Wearing a vehicle seat belt "properly" during pregnancy will help to keep the mother and baby safe in the event of a motor vehicle collision. The leading cause of hospitalized injury and injury-related death among women who are pregnant in the U.S. is motor vehicle crashes. Wearing a seat belt “properly” during pregnancy can significantly reduce both maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality a following motor vehicle collision. (1) The American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend to women who are pregnant to always wear seat belts “properly” while riding in a motor vehicle. Pregnant women who wear a seat belt “properly”, in the event of a crash, have lower rates of personal injury and fetal death, compared to women who were not buckled up properly during a crash. (2) Select the image to the right to see how to "properly" wear a seat belt while pregnant as well as guidelines to follow if a motor vehicle collision occurs during pregnancy. |
1. Am J Lifestyle Med, 2012, 6(3): 241-249.
2. Hyde LK, et al. (2003). Effect of motor vehicle crashes on adverse fetal outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 102(2): 279–286).