Pregnancy Seat Belts

BeSafe

As our bodies' change during pregnancy, we women become increasingly aware that most things were not designed to accommodate our burgeoning bellies. It’s better than our mumu donning mothers had it. We at least have cool maternity outfits. But mostly we have to make due. And I think many will agree that one of the most uncomfortable prenatal experiences is driving. Even if we can fit behind the wheel, we still have to contend with an uncomfortable seat belt. And many moms even wonder if they’re safe to wear.

Well stop wondering. First, in most places it’s illegal not to. But consider this. In a collision, a mother’s body can develop a mass weight of several tons, making her a virtual projectile missile. Therefore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and most pediatricians strongly recommend wearing a seat belt "properly positioned" below the belly. Well there's the rub. Anyone who has tried this knows the belt tends to ride up, which is both uncomfortable for mom and can put your baby at risk. Thankfully, there are two products on the market now that eliminate this dilemma.

These are the BeSafe pregnancy belt, readily available in Europe, and the Safe "N" Comfy belt, for our US readers. Their designs are simple. By running the lap portion of your car’s seat belt through a loop between your legs, the belt remains securely positioned BELOW (not across) your belly, making the ride much safer and comfier for mother and child. BeSafe and Safe "N" Comfy are also easy to install in any car. You simply secure their belts behind your seat and sit on the pad with the attached loop.

Safe "N" Comfy

It’s a big improvement. Now if only car manufacturers could figure out how to make seat belts more comfortable for NON-pregnant women!

(NOTE: Visit the NHTSA website to download a brochure on how to properly position your seat belt during pregnancy. Also check with your auto insurance company for their policy about using a specialized pregnancy belt. Sometimes they're weird about covering devices like this.)