How to Wear a Seatbelt Safely When Pregnant

Wearing a seatbelt correctly during pregnancy matters more than ever, both for you and for your baby. The good news is that a properly worn seatbelt is still the safest option throughout pregnancy, including the third trimester. The key is positioning it correctly.

The correct position

• Lap belt: position the lap portion of the belt low, under your belly, across your hips and upper thighs. Never place it across or above the bump.
• Shoulder belt: keep the diagonal shoulder strap positioned between your breasts and to the side of your belly, not across the bump directly.
• Snug fit: the belt should sit snugly against your body, not loose. A loose belt gives your body room to move forward in a sudden stop, which increases risk.

What not to do

• Don't tuck the shoulder belt behind your back or under your arm. This removes upper body protection entirely and is actually more dangerous than not wearing a seatbelt correctly positioned.
• Don't position the lap belt across your belly. In a collision, this can put direct pressure on the baby.
• Don't skip the seatbelt altogether, even for short trips. Unrestrained occupants are at far greater risk in any collision, and this applies to both mother and baby.

Adjusting the seat itself

As your bump grows, you may need to move the seat back slightly and recline it a touch to keep a comfortable distance from the steering wheel, while still being able to reach the pedals properly. Some cars also allow the steering wheel itself to tilt away from the belly for extra clearance.

When in doubt

If you're finding it hard to get a comfortable, correctly positioned fit as your pregnancy progresses, a seatbelt positioning device (sometimes called a maternity seatbelt adjuster) can help hold the shoulder strap in the correct spot. These are widely available and are a genuinely useful addition rather than a replacement for wearing the belt correctly.