Buckle Up Properly During Pregnancy: Buckling up "properly" every time you ride in a motor vehicle will help to keep you and your baby safer during a crash. The American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommend that women who are pregnant to always wear seat belt “properly” while riding in a motor vehicle. This means lap belt flat on your lap, tucked under your tummy, and with the shoulder strap flat across your chest, between your breasts, and crossing between your neck and shoulder. When women who are pregnant, wears their seat belt “properly”, they are three times safer, protecting the mother and baby from physical injury and death, compared to pregnant women who were not buckled up properly during a crash (Hyde et al., 2003). Follow the diagram below to learn how to correctly wear your seat belt throughout pregnancy will help to protect you and your baby (Schellenberg et al., 2020b).
31st and 38th week of pregnancy. Car Seat Installation & Education Service: When looking for a car seat, call us at 323-491-6197 to answer questions on the best type of car seat that is compatible to your vehicle and child. A NHTSA certified educator can teach you how to install, test, and use your car seat properly, as well as how to buckle your newborn up correctly. Call the National Telehealth Car Seat Call Center for Certified car seat services throughout the United States.
Questions call 323-491-6197
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PREGNANCY & CAR CRASHES
Motor vehicle crashes are among the leading cause of injury-related death and hospitalizations in the U.S. among women who are pregnant (Vladutiu & Weiss, 2012). Wearing a lap shoulder seat belt “properly” in a motor vehicle throughout your pregnancy is shown to protect you and your baby (Schellenberg et al., 2020b). IF A CAR CRASH HAPPENS?
If you are in a car crash, you should see your doctor right away, even if you think you are not hurt. Most injuries to the baby happen within a few hours after a crash. So it is best to see a doctor to check you and your baby as soon as possible after a crash. Especially if you are more than six months pregnant. If right after the crash, you have any of the following, call 911:
AIR BAG PROTECTION:
Air bags are designed to be effective with proper use of vehicle seat belts (lap and shoulder belt). When seat belts are used properly, airbags have not shown to be a risk during pregnancy (Schiff et al., 2010b). Seat Belt Use During Pregnancy (NHTSA) |
References
Hyde, L., Cook, L. J., Olson, L. M., Weiss, H. B., & Dean, J. M. (2003). Effect of motor vehicle crashes on adverse fetal outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 102(2), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(03)00518-0
Schellenberg M, Ruiz NS, Cheng V, et al. The Impact of Seat Belt Use in Pregnancy on Injuries and Outcomes After Motor Vehicle Collisions. J Surg Res. 2020;254:96-101. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32422432/doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.04.012
Schiff, M. A., Mack, C. P., Kaufman, R. R., Holt, V. L., & Grossman, D. C. (2010b). The Effect of Air Bags on Pregnancy Outcomes in Washington State. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 115(1), 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0b013e3181c4e94f
Vladutiu, C. J., & Weiss, H. B. (2012). Motor Vehicle Safety During Pregnancy. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6(3), 241–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827611421304
Hyde, L., Cook, L. J., Olson, L. M., Weiss, H. B., & Dean, J. M. (2003). Effect of motor vehicle crashes on adverse fetal outcomes. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 102(2), 279–286. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0029-7844(03)00518-0
Schellenberg M, Ruiz NS, Cheng V, et al. The Impact of Seat Belt Use in Pregnancy on Injuries and Outcomes After Motor Vehicle Collisions. J Surg Res. 2020;254:96-101. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32422432/doi:10.1016/j.jss.2020.04.012
Schiff, M. A., Mack, C. P., Kaufman, R. R., Holt, V. L., & Grossman, D. C. (2010b). The Effect of Air Bags on Pregnancy Outcomes in Washington State. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 115(1), 85–92. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0b013e3181c4e94f
Vladutiu, C. J., & Weiss, H. B. (2012). Motor Vehicle Safety During Pregnancy. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 6(3), 241–249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827611421304