pregnant/seatbelts

[pmac]

what is the law regarding whether u can or cannot wear a seat belt whilst pregnant please?

[redcrx]

you do have to wear a seatbelt when pregnant, there is no way around it.

They arent comfortable to wear when your'e large but I used a maternity belt adaptor which basically pulls the seat belt so that it sits below your bump and doesnt ride up.

it was similar to this http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/serv let/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&cat alogId=10151&productId=182315&categoryId=31395 and was great. It meant i could drive up to 42 weeks of pregnancy and never be uncomfortable or taking the risk of the belt causing harm to my unborn child.

This sort of things means that you both remain safe. I cant understand why anyone would not want to wear a belt other because of comfort. Its a dangerous risk to take.

[Grunty]

This is what the Department for Transport say about it (confirming what redcrx says). There is no automatic exemption, but if you think you have special reasons you should speak to your doctor about a Certificate of Exemption. You should also consider what could happen to the baby and you if you do not wear a belt.



Pregnant women

The lap strap should go across the hips, fitting comfortably under the bump, while the diagonal strap should be placed between the breasts and around the bump.

Like any other driver or passenger, pregnant women must wear a seat belt. There is no automatic exemption for them. Wearing a belt may not be comfortable, but it improves safety for both mother and unborn baby.

[dave1969]

http://www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/se atbelts/pregnant.htm

Seat belts save lives

Pregnancy is an exciting time of change for you. But don't change your habit of wearing a seat belt - buckling up now is just as important.

Wearing a seat belt saves lives. Did you know that wearing a seat belt reduces the injury risk to your unborn baby by up to 70 per cent?

Wearing a seat belt may not always be comfortable but the law does require you to wear one, even while pregnant. This is to protect you and your baby - and other adults and children travelling with you.