Tips For Driving During Pregnancy In Comfort And Safety
In general, there are a lot of questions about driving during pregnancy. Pregnant women feel uncomfortable as their condition requires a number of precautions which obviously include all those to be taken behind the wheel. But there is more. For this reason, in this article you will find tips for driving in pregnancy.
To drive while pregnant, you must first wear a seat belt, as is always the case when driving. However, you should know that there are two high risk periods for both you and your baby during pregnancy. These two periods are as follows:
- During the first trimester of pregnancy. It is when there is a greater risk of placental abruption or uterus rupture, as there is almost no amniotic fluid.
- During late pregnancy . In the event of an accident, there is a high chance that the birth will occur in the next 48 hours.
If you are planning to drive during pregnancy, you need to be aware of the risks and not over-trust your abilities. Furthermore, during pregnancy, mothers-to-be must keep in mind that they are much more fragile and that they also have the responsibility to carry another life with them, in addition to their own.
Tips for driving in pregnancy
Early in pregnancy, many women experience nausea and fatigue. These symptoms can affect your ability to concentrate. Therefore, if you are not feeling well in the morning, it is best when possible to take public transport to get around.
If you want to drive, here are some tips:
- Always consult your doctor. It is not advisable to drive in case of contractions, discomfort or risk of premature birth.
- Comfort and safety behind the wheel. A pregnant woman must adapt the distance between the seat and the steering wheel to her new situation, right from the start.
- Always wear the seat belt correctly.
- Take breaks. To drive during pregnancy it is best to avoid journeys longer than three consecutive hours. We recommend that you stop every hour to stretch your legs, drink and go to the bathroom.
- Keep the right distance. The correct distance between the body and the steering wheel should be approximately 25 cm, especially if the vehicle has an airbag, which must be oriented towards the chest and head, never towards the abdomen.
- Good posture. The backrest should be as straight as possible.
- Avoid abrupt maneuvers, such as sudden acceleration or braking. If you have chosen to drive during pregnancy, you have to take into account the fact that you are on the one hand and all the other drivers on the other. Warning!
Other recommendations
After giving birth, your doctor will decide when the time is right to drive again. Better not get back behind the wheel before its ok.
NOTE: The airbag is not dangerous as long as the minimum distance from the body is about 20-25 centimeters. In the event of a collision, the bag inflates only in front of the woman’s head and chest and prevents the seat belt from pressing too hard on her stomach.
How to wear the seat belt
The seat belt is worn as follows: the horizontal belt must never be placed on the stomach, as the pressure could hurt the child in the event of an accident. It should be located under the abdomen, at the level of the groin. The upper band should cross the chest, between the breasts.
The best solution for driving during pregnancy is a seat belt with three anchor points, as it offers more safety and comfort.
Additionally, changes in the pregnant woman’s metabolism create changes in blood sugar, circulatory problems, impaired vision or mood changes that hinder the ability to drive.
To prevent the seat belt from moving from side to side while driving, you can put a cushion. Another more convenient variant is a special adapter that fixes the system in three places. The pregnant woman sits on a flat pillow, from which a double pin protrudes that surrounds the lower belt and holds it in place.
Either way, it’s good to see your doctor whenever you have symptoms. And we reiterate that wearing a seat belt reduces the severity of injuries for you and your child in the event of an accident.
