Wearing a seat belt correctly while pregnant 'is not harmful'

Date: 16/9/2011

Pregnant women have been advised to buckle up when they are driving or a passenger in a car.

Amanda Smith, Staff Examiner and Quality Process Manager at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, says some women do not like the way their seat belt feels across their bump but that, when worn correctly, the strap does not cause any harm to their baby.

She points out that the restraint is the only thing that can prevent a woman from being thrown forwards and knocking her abdomen on the steering wheel while driving, which is why it is important to put it on.

Ms Smith suggests wearing the strap below the bump so that it runs over one hipbone to the other, while the diagonal part of the strap should be placed between the breasts and around the side of the abdomen.

It is important to wear it in this way as if a collision occurs it could cause damage if it is placed across the actual bump, rather than over and under it.

In order to fit comfortably behind the wheel, Ms Smith notes that pregnant drivers can move their seat back and invest in after-market pedal extenders, which will allow them to still reach the clutch, brake and accelerator safely.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the UK's introduction of a new child seat law, which dictates that babies and toddlers must be placed in the appropriate seat for their weight.

Posted by Sarah Bailey