The demands on life are much more significant than many years ago, and often pregnant women have no choice but to keep on driving for as long as possible. Read more to discover how pregnant women can mitigate any risk of injury through daily driving, including car accidents.
How do pregnant women wear safety belts?1
Research has shown that pregnant women should always use a lap-shoulder belt, allowing the lap section to run across below her belly and hips. The lap section should not run across the waste, which could seriously harm the mother and baby. The sash section of the belt crosses between the breasts. Below are some further tips to follow.
Avoid driving if you can1
Pregnant women are encouraged to drive as little as possible, especially towards the last stages of pregnancy. During long drives, plan for having regular breaks at, e.g. garages along the way.
Drive defensively1
Avoid tailgating and thus the risk of crashing into the car in front. Drive slowly and avoid cell phone discussions.
Sit correctly1
After belting up, ensure you are seated correctly about 25 cm in front of the steering wheel, pointing towards your breastbone and not your belly. Avoid any slack in the safety belt, thus preventing your abdomen from hitting the steering wheel while also considering how the airbag will open.
What happens if you are in an accident? 1
Irrespective of how minor the accident may be, have your baby’s heartbeat checked as well as any possible placental abruption. In this way, the risk of premature labour can be avoided.
Stop regularly1
You need to take a break often and walk around a bit, as circulation to your legs is important.
Avoid driving at night1
Night driving is dangerous for any motorist, but the risk of collision is increased through poor visibility and encountering bad drivers. The chances you are tired are greater compared to day driving.
Have some snacks1
Pregnant drivers need to have a meal before leaving the house and have a snack while driving to ensure their blood sugar stays at correct levels. This especially applies to longer trips. Keep a bottle of water and fruit with you to stay hydrated.
Be prepared for any eventuality1
Pack a pillow, clothes, toiletries, and a fully charged cell phone should your baby decide to do something earlier than expected and cause you to check in at the hospital. This applies particularly to those mothers in the advanced stage of pregnancy.
Stop driving closer to the date1
It isn’t easy if you are still working to stop using the car, but it is safest to do so when you are close to the baby’s birth date. Most women stop driving at about the 30-week stage.
If you do happen to be involved in an accident, you need to ensure that your car is safely covered. PMD will happily provide you with more information on a range of car insurance products to suit your budget. Enjoy affordable car insurance with unique benefits such as car insurance premiums that don’t increase* with PMD. Ts and Cs apply.
Source:
1https://www.news24.com/Wheels/10-tips-for-pregnant-drivers-20120714
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Also View: