WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., SEPT. 17, 2002 -- Now that you’re pregnant, take a moment to think again about how to securely buckle your seat belt properly for travel by car or truck, says the March of Dimes.
“Pregnant women still need to wear a seat belt – in fact, they need it more than ever,” says physician Scott D. Berns, M.D., M.P.H., national director of Chapter Programs for the March of Dimes and a specialist in pediatric emergency medicine. “In case of a crash, the seatbelt will prevent you and your unborn baby from crashing full force into the steering wheel, dashboard, and windshield or from being thrown from the car.” Dr. Berns recommends using a shoulder and lap belt combination and offers the following tips:
- Position the lap portion of the belt low and snug across your hips, below your abdomen.
- The shoulder portion of the belt should fit snugly between your breasts and cross your chest and abdomen diagonally.
- Sit at least 10 inches back from the airbag or dashboard of the vehicle.
- Don’t disable the airbag – in a serious crash, it can provide further protection for you and your baby.
“In a crash, seat belts are the best protection for both a pregnant mother and her unborn child,” agrees Jeffrey W. Runge, M.D., Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “We thank the March of Dimes for spreading this important life-saving message.”
If you are involved in a crash, even a minor one, tell your health care provider about it right away, the March of Dimes advises. Your doctor or nurse may want to examine you even if you don’t notice any obvious injuries, just to be sure.
For more information on seat belt safety or child safety seats, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education, and advocacy to save babies. For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at www.marchofdimes.com, its Spanish Web site at www.nacersano.org, or call 1-888-MODIMES. For more information on the annual March of Dimes WalkAmerica, visit the Web site at www.walkamerica.org.
