From the moment you find out you’re pregnant, you’ll worry about keeping your baby safe. Although your body provides some protection, your baby is extremely vulnerable to outside forces—especially collision forces that result from car accidents.
So what can you do? You will have to drive during your pregnancy, but you want to make sure your baby is safe. What precautions can you take to accident-proof your baby while driving?
Baby Bump Safety Tips for Driving While Pregnant
Although the risk of getting into a serious car accident is relatively low for non-pregnant women, pregnancy can actually increase your chances. According to a study recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and reported by NPR, pregnant women are almost 50% more likely to cause a car crash during their second trimester due to the fatigue, insomnia, nausea and stress caused by hormone fluctuations.
The disastrous effects of even small fender benders can lead to placental abruption, internal bleeding and miscarriages. In order to properly protect your baby you need to know how to safely drive (and ride) during your pregnancy. By following these simple rules, you can potentially avoid an unimaginable catastrophe:
- Limit your overall driving. The bigger your baby gets, the more difficult it is going to be to drive and concentrate. Decrease your odds of causing an accident by being chauffeured instead of driving yourself.
- Drive safely. Make sure whomever is driving is following all traffic safety signs, obeying all laws, using appropriate driving techniques and avoiding risks.
- Wear your seat belt properly. Many pregnant women incorrectly place their safety belts across their bellies, instead of underneath them. In order to protect yourself and your baby, you need to wear your seatbelt below the belly, snug against your pelvic bone. The shoulder strap should likewise be away from the belly and placed across the chest, preferably between your neck and collarbone.
- Make sure you have enough room. The more room you have between your baby and the steering wheel, the better. Remember to adjust your seat, even as a passenger. Move it back as far as possible to provide at least 10 inches between your bump and the steering wheel or dashboard.
- Avoid expressways. Take local roads as much as possible; higher speeds create higher risks.
- Get medical help immediately. Following an accident, seek medical attention immediately even if your injuries don’t appear to be severe. You never know what the collision could have done to your baby.
Making the Right Calls for Your Baby’s Protection
Have you already been in an accident that injured to your unborn child? Contact us today for a free consultation and review of your case. Our experience and knowledge will help give you the confidence to pursue an injury claim and get the compensation you and your baby deserve. Call now!
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