The correct positioning of the seat belt during pregnancy is important for driving without discomfort, even when the baby bump begins to grow.
Of course, when getting into the car, appropriate precautions must be taken: if correctly positioned, the seat belt in pregnancy cannot cause harm to the fetus and is effective in reducing the consequences of a road accident.
In detail, the horizontal band should be fastened as low as possible, so that it rests under the belly and does not exert pressure on the fetus. The diagonal belt of the belt should instead be placed on the collarbone, away from the neck, passing it between the breasts and sideways to the abdomen.
and maternal injuries reported (including death) are of greater magnitude.Failure to use the seat belt during pregnancy is also related to a higher risk of:
- Give birth in the 48 hours following the accident for:
- Detachment of the placenta;
- Premature rupture of membranes;
- Delivering a low-weight and / or premature baby.
These consequences derive from the sudden increase in pressure on the abdomen, caused by the impact with the steering wheel or by the bending of the woman's body without a belt due to the sudden deceleration of the car.
It should be noted that even the incorrect use of the belt during pregnancy can result in adverse outcomes for the fetus, including intrauterine death, resulting from the trauma. For example, the positioning of the horizontal belt alone will not restrain the torso and the impact will not be cushioned.
and the steering wheel should be about 25 centimeters).
To achieve maximum safety and experience the least possible discomfort while driving, the horizontal belt of the seat belt should be fastened under the belly, passing it over the pelvis and through the upper part of the thighs. The transverse part, on the other hand, must pass over the shoulder, away from the neck, diagonally between the breasts and to the side of the belly.
If worn with these precautions, in the event of an accident, the safety belt during pregnancy protects the fetus from any trauma, without causing damage to the uterus and placenta which, together with the amniotic fluid, perform a "natural protection".
