Behaviours

Pregnant and Properly Buckled In

Seat belts restrict upper body movement and keep pregnant women and their babies as far away as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard.

The whole truth on seat belts and pregnant women

Myths

Some pregnant women don't wear their seat belts because they are afraid the seat belt may crush the fetus in the event of an accident or sudden braking.

Others think that wearing a seat belt may cause the uterus to rupture or the placenta to become detached.

The truth

By restricting upper body movement, seat belts keep pregnant women as far away as possible from the steering wheel and dashboard.

Seat belts distribute the force of impact across the thorax and pelvis, which are the most solid parts of the body.

In addition, the fetus is naturally protected by the mother's bones and muscles, and by the amniotic fluid in which it floats.

In most traffic accidents involving pregnant women, it is the mother's death that leads to the death of the fetus and not the pressure exerted by the seat belt.

Don't risk your life and that of your baby: buckle up!

Properly adjusting your seat belt if you are pregnant

• The lap belt must always be worn low across the pelvic bone, not on the abdomen.
• The shoulder belt should be worn in the usual manner, that is, it should cross over the collar bone, not over the neck.
• The seat belt should be snug with no slack. Rather than being crushed or jostled in any way, the fetus will be well protected.

Last update: June  3, 2022