Securing your Precious package

Laranzo Dacres • Gleaner Writer

At a time when moms-to-be have a ton load of other things to worry about, driving comfort and safety should never take a back seat.

Sherraine Smith, 29, said she drove her '90 Honda Accord Coupe until she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant as she had no alternative.

"When I was pregnant, driving was nothat comfortable. I had to sit so close to the steering wheel in order to reach the gas pedal," Smith said.

"As I got closer to my due date, driving became intolerable at times because of shifting of gears and pedal pushing. All those actions caused my unborn baby to move and shift into awkward positions that were painful at times," she continued.

Dr Gareth McDonald, resident in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital, Kingston, said in pregnant drivers the emphasis is placed on their comfort level and their safety and that of the unborn child.

"We do advocate the use of seat belt for pregnant women, even though it might be uncomfortable for them," Dr McDonald told Automotives.

The doctor explained that motor vehicle accidents were responsible for 60 to 75 per cent of all blunt trauma cases in pregnancy and was the most common cause of foetal death related to maternal trauma.

Taneshia Chambers, 35, confessed she did not buckle up the seat belt of her '96 Toyota Tercel and had to adjust her seat due to her enormous size.

"I avoided all roads with potholes and drove very slowly. I felt very sick at times and had to stop frequently to buy sweets or take a bathroom stop," she said.

Frequent stops

Dr McDonald recommended that on long journeys mom-to-be take frequent stops and walk around for a few minutes.

That tip was a bit late in arriving for Smith.

"My legs got swollen whenever I sat for too long and that was very irritating," she said.

While Dr McDonald said there is no clear recommendation as to what stage of pregnancy a woman should stop driving, midwives and physicians encourage the moms-to-be to minimise driving around the last trimester, which is from seven to nine months.

Driving recommendations

Seat belts should go under the belly (not over it) going to the middle of the chest and over the shoulder, avoiding the neck.

Use a pillow as cushion for your back while driving to cause less strain on the upper body during turns.

Wear support stockings to prevent swelling of feet if you know you will be in traffic or will be driving for more than an hour.

Be sure to take the necessary air bag precautions by making sure that there is at least 10-12 inches between the front air bag and your belly.

Maintain a safe distance between your belly and the steering wheel by using the pedal extender and make sure to adjust it accordingly as the foetus grows. Adjust the seat for comfort.

Avoid long trips after seven-and-a-half months.