Driving while you’re pregnant can be a stressful thing to do. There is always the worry of an accident, your baby bump can get in the way, and what happens if your water breaks while you’re driving? Luckily, there are ways you can keep yourself and your baby safe while you’re on the road.
Check Your Seat Belt
First and foremost, make sure you’re always wearing your seat belt. Don’t refuse to wear it simply because you feel uncomfortable with your seat belt on. If there is an accident, your seat belt can save your life. However, while you’re pregnant, you may need to adjust the seat belt slightly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggests the best way for a pregnant woman to wear a seat belt. Position the shoulder area over your collarbone, between the top of your arm and your neck. The lap section of the seat belt should be placed under your abdomen, across the tops of your thighs. Make sure it is as low as possible on your hips.
Move Back
You may find that your usual position in the car is a little uncomfortable as the baby grows. Make sure to reposition your seat away from the steering wheel. Move the seat back as far as comfortably possible while still being able to hit the pedals of your car. It’s best to try to stay about 10 inches from the steering wheel. If you find that you simply can’t get a safe and comfortable position, it may be best to become the passenger for the rest of your pregnancy, for safety’s sake.
Stay Alert
Many women find their minds tend to wander more while they’re pregnant. If this is the case for you, make sure you take extra steps to stay alert while you’re on the road. The best way to keep yourself and your baby safe is to keep an eye on the road. You’re less likely to get into an accident if you know what’s happening around you. Keep your eyes on the road, change lanes early, and drive as safely as possible. While this isn’t a foolproof way to avoid an accident, it certainly helps.
Calm Down
Before getting in the car, make sure that you’re calm. If you find yourself stressing out and becoming anxious every time you have to drive, it may be a sign that you need to take a step back. Take a look at what is causing your anxiety. If it’s something that you’re able to fix, take steps toward remedying your stress. If you can’t fix it, consider being the passenger for a while. Stress while driving not only makes you more likely to get into an accident, it is also not good for your baby.
When you’re pregnant, you have many things on your mind. You need to think about your baby, your health, and the safety of your family. Taking steps to ensure you’re driving safely is a great step toward keeping everyone safe and happy.