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Women who progress in their pregnancies may wonder if they need to restrict their driving to protect their offspring. The majority of pregnant women do not need to curtail their driving during the course of their pregnancies. Many pregnant women experience increased tiredness and slower reaction times. If you are seeking legal representation regarding a car accident, contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation.
We can discuss the facts of your case and your options for seeking financial compensation for your injuries if you suffered injuries while pregnant. If you are pregnant, it is important to assess how you feel before driving, as common symptoms like nausea and fatigue can make operating a vehicle more challenging. Experiencing these symptoms while pregnant and then choosing to drive an automobile can increase the risk of suffering injuries during a traffic collision.
A pregnancy should not preclude a woman from driving an automobile and carrying out errands. Additionally, a significant number of women continue to drive automobiles throughout every stage of pregnancy. Some women in the latter stages of pregnancy may feel more cautious about driving due to concerns for their own and their baby’s safety.
A pregnant woman may need to understand that, depending on her symptoms or stage of pregnancy, driving may not be a safe option. It is quite common for pregnant women to experience varying levels of nausea and gastrointestinal pain during different phases of pregnancy. If a woman cannot physically sit in the driver’s seat of an automobile, driving may not be advisable for her.
Other pregnant women may only experience severe symptoms during particular times, and these women should limit their driving to those times when they feel stable and healthy. Any time a person travels in an automobile, they are at risk of serious bodily injury or death. Pregnant women should assess these risks and decide if they want to risk their offspring’s health. Minor traffic accidents can cause severe damage to an infant in the mother’s womb. Hence, healthcare providers generally advise pregnant women to seek medical attention promptly after any car accident.
Pregnant Women Should Make Planned And Structured Breaks When Driving
All pregnant women should understand that sitting for extended periods while pregnant can produce physical pain, health issues, and discomfort. Many different types of health problems can arise during pregnancy. For example, pregnant women may be at greater risk of suffering from blood clots. Long periods of inactivity can increase the likelihood of blood clots forming.
Health risks to pregnant women arise when they remain stationary and motionless for many hours. If a woman drives a car to the supermarket and back home, it is unlikely that she will experience any sudden blood clots or other health issues while running such an errand. Therefore, to help mitigate potential health risks associated with prolonged sitting, many pregnant women find it beneficial to plan for frequent breaks during extended periods of sitting, such as during long drives.
Every pregnant woman should get out of the car and walk around several times when traveling long distances. Regular periods of walking can provide health benefits for pregnant women, including improved circulation and reduced discomfort during long car trips. Contact an injury law firm to schedule a free initial consultation if you have suffered injuries while pregnant and need to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and any injuries to your child.
Call our firm at (888) 488-1391 to learn more about our legal services. Our car accident lawyers at Arash Law have years of experience representing pregnant women who have suffered injuries in traffic-related crashes. Pregnant women are often advised to take regular breaks during long car trips to move around and promote circulation. The frequency and duration of breaks should be based on individual health needs and guidance from a healthcare provider.
Eating, stretching, and walking are good activities to engage in during these periodic stops. Short episodes of moderate exercise can help improve the circulatory system, reduce pain, and decrease inflammation. Pregnant women should also wear loose-fitting clothes to make themselves more comfortable during long drives.
Conditions That Commonly Cause Problems For Pregnant Drivers
What follows are some of the common physical and mental conditions that can make it difficult for pregnant women to drive:
- Unexpected contractions during the later stages of pregnancy.
- Extreme tiredness.
- Nausea and gastrointestinal pain.
- Decreased ability to concentrate.
These physical and mental conditions can impair a pregnant woman’s ability to operate a vehicle. The risk of car accidents may increase when pregnant women drive while suffering from these symptoms.
Pregnant Women And Deep Vein Thrombosis
Deep vein thrombosis may arise when a pregnant woman remains motionless for long periods of time. Every pregnant woman should consider the following actions while they are driving a vehicle or traveling in an automobile:
- Pregnant women should move the steering wheel toward the center of their chest and away from their stomachs. Additionally, pregnant women should adjust the seat so that their stomach does not come into contact with the steering wheel. They shouldn’t, however, push the seat back so far that they are unable to use the gas and brake pedals.
- Pull over and walk around in ninety-minute intervals. If a pregnant woman is a passenger in the vehicle, one effective action to take is to perform exercises that involve her legs and ankles. Any movement or brief exercise can help reduce the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis.
- A healthcare provider may recommend limiting solo travel during the final trimester, depending on an individual’s specific health circumstances.
- Pregnant women should have someone else drive if they need to run errands or shop.
- Pregnant women should eat a healthy diet that includes vegetables and fruits. Foods high in fat and cholesterol may increase episodes of tiredness and confusion.
- Remain hydrated and avoid caffeinated beverages.
Pregnant Women Should Not Perform The Following Ten Actions While Driving
What follows are ten actions that pregnant women should avoid performing while driving.
- Placing a Newborn Baby in a Vehicle Without Safety Restraints — Once a pregnant woman leaves the hospital after giving birth, she should put her baby in a safety restraint device. No baby should be allowed inside a car that does not contain a safety restraint system.
- Failing to See a Physician If You Suffer Injuries During a Minor Traffic Accident — It is essential to see a medical professional if you are involved in any traffic accident while pregnant. Even minor traffic accidents can cause serious bodily injury to a newborn baby.
- Placing Blankets or Sheets to Loosen a Seat Belt — Do not place sheets or blankets on the seat belt to alter its length or ability to function properly.
- Not Heeding the Professional Advice of Physicians, Nurses, and Other Medical Staff — Do not brush off any advice provided to you by a physician, nurse, or another medical professional. You may be advised not to travel inside an automobile at all under any circumstances. Pregnant women may need to refrain from traveling by automobile during the entire term of their pregnancy.
- Not Having Any Food or Beverages While Traveling in an Automobile — Pregnant women may be at risk of serious injury if they travel in a vehicle without food or beverages. Proper hydration and a balanced diet can help alleviate painful symptoms associated with long-term travel.
- Failing to Alter the Steering Wheel to Protect an Unborn Baby — Changing the position of the seats in your automobile may be necessary to protect an unborn baby. Extending the distance between the steering wheel and the unborn baby can help prevent serious bodily injury and death in case an accident occurs. Also, the headrest should be situated comfortably against the driver or passenger. The side mirrors should also be altered so that the driver and passenger can see the blind spots beside the vehicle. Furthermore, the steering wheel should be positioned toward the chest, not the stomach. It is also important not to place the steering wheel too close to the driver’s head.
- Not Getting Adequate Sleep or Engaging in Distracted Driving — Pregnant women should not drive if they experience extreme fatigue. Distracted driving can also endanger the life of the baby. Drivers should not text while driving or imbibe alcohol while driving. Applying makeup while driving and eating while driving are also dangerous forms of distracted driving. It is essential for pregnant women to be aware of their physical limitations and consult a doctor to determine which activities are safe.
- Not Ceasing to Drive Once Your Stomach Gets Too Close to the Steering Wheel — Pregnant women should not drive an automobile if the steering wheel is close to the stomach. If the steering wheel and seat cannot be adjusted so that the steering wheel sits away from the stomach, a pregnant woman should not operate the vehicle.
- Failing to Heed the Advice of a Physician or Other Medical Professional – Many pregnant women can drive during their pregnancies without endangering the unborn baby’s life. Sometimes, however, a physician or other medical professional may recommend that a pregnant woman refrain from driving an automobile.
- Failing to Use Safety Restraints – Pregnant women can help protect themselves during accidents by using adequate safety restraints. A lower section of a safety restraint should sit beneath the stomach and away from the hips. Wearing a safety belt in the proper manner can help prevent serious bodily injury to both the mother and the child. The majority of mothers are advised to purchase a baby seat before giving birth. Fitting a baby seat in a vehicle before the child is born can help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with the period of time following a birth.
Contact Our Firm To Schedule A Free Initial Consultation
Drivers are typically at risk of suffering serious bodily injury or death. Traveling on highways can result in unpredictable events that cause serious accidents. Serious bodily injury to an unborn child can be devastating to the mother. The mother herself may also suffer a serious physical injury during a traffic accident.
If you are a pregnant mother who was involved in a traffic collision, contact our legal team at (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form here to schedule a free initial consultation. Our traffic accident attorneys at Arash Law understand every stage of a personal injury case, enabling our team to advocate for our clients’ rights and support them throughout the legal process.
We serve clients throughout California, including San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Sherman Oaks.
