Safety tips for pregnant drivers

Experts say as long as you are feeling well, driving while pregnant is safe. In fact, most mothers-to-be rely on their cars to carry out their daily tasks, particularly as their bumps grow and walking becomes more of a strain.

In the final few months of pregnancy, your ever-growing bump could start to affect your movements and you might find it tricky getting in and out of the car, while your bump may start to get in the way of the steering wheel. Not only that, but your pregnancy might tire you out, which can affect your driving ability. However, here we give you some of the safety guidelines to follow.

Seatbelt
According to Dr Rogers Ssekulima, a gynecologist at Mulago Hospital, being pregnant does not mean you are exempted from wearing a seatbelt. He says the only instance where you do not need to wear a seatbelt is if you have received a medical exemption certificate from your doctor that you will need to carry in the car just in case you are stopped by the police. Ssekulima says three-point seatbelts are the safest for expectant mothers and advises them to avoid lap-only belts as they can put unnecessary pressure on your unborn child, particularly if you have to brake suddenly.

He says the diagonal shoulder part of the belt should be placed over your collarbone and between your breasts, resting against your shoulder as opposed to your neck.
According to Johnson Oboth, a traffic officer, if you are stopped by the police and you are not wearing your seatbelt, being pregnant will not exempt you from penalty unless you produce your exemption certificate or a doctor’s letter.

Ensure comfort
This will help you to remain fully focused on the road when driving. In terms of your driving position, sit as far away from the steering wheel as possible while still being able to reach the pedals. According to Simon Lukwago, a driving instructor, in some cars, the pedals can be adjusted. He says pregnant women can also recline their seats a little to leave a gap between the stomach and the steering wheel.

He adds that although cars fitted with airbags are considered safe for pregnant women, to be safe, you should move your seat back and tilt it to put some distance between your bump and the steering wheel.
However, Dr Ssekulima says if you are involved in an accident, no matter how minor, it is best to get a proper medical checkup.

Long distance travel
According to Dr Ssekulima, if you do have to take a long journey, travel with another person who can share the driving responsibilities with you. He says pregnant mothers should plan to stop at least every 90 minutes for a toilet break and to stretch.
According to Lukwago, for added peace of mind, you should try to always drive with a passenger when nearing the end of your pregnancy. If you have to drive alone, make sure your phone is fully-charged and pack your pregnancy documents, just in case. “Be sure to eat and drink regularly too,” he advises.

Wear comfortable clothes
These include light tops to keep you cool and trousers with elastic waistbands. “Like all other drivers, make sure your car is maintained and serviced, and your phone is fully charged especially if you are driving on your own and at night. The top priority is to make sure you and your baby are both safe and comfortable in the car,” Lukwago advises.

Others
Do not drive if you are unwell
Dr Rogers Ssekulima, a gynecologist at Mulago hospital, says many mothers-to-be can suffer from morning sickness and other ailments that come with pregnancy. He advises against driving in the morning as feeling nauseous could impact your concentration. If you need to drive, see if you can make other arrangements until the sickness has passed.

Stretch
Dr Ssekulima adds that a little movement can work wonders for relieving driving discomfort. “If you have got cramp in your legs or swollen feet and ankles as it is common for pregnant women, stop for rest and stretch your legs. There are also some in-car movements you can do when you are parked, such as flexing your feet, rotating your ankle and wiggling your toes,” he advises.