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Pregnancy and seat belt use

When pregnant, wear a seat belt firmly across your lap, just below your abdomen. Position the shoulder belt diagonally between your breasts.

The American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women always wear seat belts while traveling. Pregnant women wearing safety restraints while in motor vehicle crashes have lower rates of personal injury, and of fetal injury and fetal death, than women who aren't buckled up when in a crash.1

1 Hyde LK, et al. (2003). Effect of motor vehicle crashes on adverse fetal outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 102(2): 279–286.

Primary Medical Reviewer Renée M. Crichlow, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated November 30, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: November 30, 2006
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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