It's safe to wear a seatbelt during pregnancy – in fact, it's dangerous to not wear one. Research has repeatedly shown that the best way to protect your growing baby is to protect yourself by wearing a properly positioned seat belt every time you're in a car or truck.
To avoid injuring yourself and your baby, make sure your seat belt is properly fastened. Use a three-point restraint, meaning your seat belt should have a lap belt and a shoulder strap.
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Secure the lap belt under your belly, low and snug on your hipbones. Never wear the belt across or above your belly. During a crash, the sudden jolt from a belt in this position could cause a placental abruption (when the placenta tears away from the wall of the uterus) or other injuries.
Always use the shoulder belt, too, which should fit snugly between your breasts and off to the side of your belly. If the shoulder belt cuts across your neck, reposition your seat or the belt so it fits better. Don't place the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back.
Experts recommend against using seat belt positioning devices marketed toward pregnant women. There are no safety standards for any of these devices, and – by repositioning the seat belt or how it functions – they may put you in an unsafe situation if you get in a crash. If your seat belt doesn't fit comfortably, you can use a seat belt extender to give you a little extra room.
If you're wearing a heavy winter coat, it's recommended you remove it before buckling up, since heavy clothes can make it harder to fit your seat belt securely.
Are air bags safe for pregnant women?
You may be concerned that an air bag could be dangerous during pregnancy, but when used with a seat belt, air bags offer additional protection if you're in a car accident. An air bag can be dangerous if it opens and you're not securely buckled up, though, so be sure to wear your seat belt.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) says that the combination of air bags and seat belts offers a pregnant woman the highest level of protection, as long as she's properly belted and sitting as far back from the front air bag as possible. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agrees, saying the benefits of an air bag outweigh any potential risks to a pregnant woman and her baby.
When you're driving, adjust the front seat so it's as far away as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard while still allowing you to reach the pedals comfortably. Sit back against the seat with as little slack in your seat belt as possible. This will minimize your forward movement in a crash and let the air bag operate correctly.
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If your steering wheel is adjustable, aim it up and away from your stomach. That way, the air bag will deploy toward your chest, not your belly.
Side air bags haven't been shown to pose a risk to passengers. In most cases, the biggest danger is from whatever object your car collides with – for example, another car or a tree. Still, it's safest not to rest against the side air bag storage compartment, in case the bag deploys suddenly.
Whether you're pregnant or not, the safest place for you to sit as a passenger is in the back seat. (In general, injuries from car crashes tend to be less serious for people who are sitting in the back seat.) Be sure to wear your seat belt regardless of where you're seated in the car.
If you're in a car accident – even a minor one – see your healthcare provider as soon as possible after the crash. Although you may feel just fine, it's important to make sure both you and your baby are unharmed. If you're 24 weeks pregnant or more, you and your baby may need to be monitored for several hours so your provider can watch for complications and signs of preterm labor or placental abruption.
To learn more about staying safe on the road, visit NHTSA for its recommendations and visual diagrams on car safety during pregnancy.
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