This paper presents the results of a study that evaluated the comfort and safety of three-point seatbelt use by pregnant women. Comfort was assessed by developing and administering a survey. Two hundred responses revealed high levels of discomfort due to the lap belt riding up onto the abdomen (64.5 per cent), the edges of the lap belt rubbing on the abdomen and thighs (61.5 per cent), compression of breasts by the torso belt (48 per cent) and the lap belt being too tight or too short (50 per cent).
Evaluating seatbelt safety for the fetus was accomplished by reviewing case studies involving pregnant crash victims as well as baboon crash test results. Additionally, computer simulations, modelling a 35 mile/h collision with a pregnant woman in a three-point restraint, were developed. The simulations were used to predict fetal movement and acceleration behaviour relative to the mother. Fetal acceleration was found to reach values nearly 3 times greater than maternal acceleration, offering justification as to why a fetus might die as a result of abruptio placentae or skull injury.
PearlmanM. D.Motor vehicle crashes, pregnancy loss, and preterm laborInt. J. Gynec. and Obstet., 1997, 57 (2), 127–132.
2.
EvansL.The effectiveness of safety belts in preventing fatalitiesAccid. Anal. Prev., 1986, 18, 229.
3.
CrosbyW. M.CostiloeJ. P.Safety of lap-belt restraint for pregnant victims of automobile collisionsN. Engl. J. Med., 1971, 284, 632–636.
4.
WolfM. E.AlexanderB. H.RivaraF. P.HickokD. E.MaierR. V.StarzykP. M.A retrospective cohort study of seatbelt use and pregnancy outcome after a motor vehicle crashJ. Trauma, January 1993, 34 (1), 116–119.
5.
ReisP. M.SanderC. M.PearlmanM. D.Abruptio placentae after motor vehicle crash: a case-control studyJ. Reprod. Med., 2000, 45, 6–10.
6.
WiechelJ. F.SensM. J.Critical review of the use of seat belts by pregnant women. SAE paper 890752, 1989.
PearlmanM.D.VianoD.Automobile crash simulation with the first pregnant crash test dummyAm. J. Obstet. Gynec., 1996, 175, 977–981.
9.
DeSantis KlinichKSchneiderL. W.RuppJ.EbyB.PearlmanM. D.Challenges in frontal crash protection of pregnant drivers based on anthropometric considerations. SAE paper 1999–01-0711, 1999.
10.
DeSantis KlinichKSchneiderL. W.RuppJ.EbyB.PearlmanM. D.Seated Anthropometry During Pregnancy, September 1999 (University of Michigan).
11.
PearlmanM. D.PhillipsM. E.Safety belt use during pregnancyAm. J. Obstet. Gynec., 1996, 88 (6), 1026–1029.
12.
CrosbyW. M.KingA.StoutL.Fetal survival following impact: Improvement with shoulder harness restraintAm. J. Obstet. Gynec., 1972, 112, 1101–1106.
13.
SnyderR. G.CrosbyW. M.SnowC. C.YoungJ. W.HansenP.Seat Belt Injuries in Impact, 1967 (The Prevention of Highway Safety Research Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor).
14.
ChetcutiP.LeveneM. I.Seatbelts: A potential hazard to the fetusJ. Perinat. Med., 1987, 15, 207–209.
Van KirkD. J.KingA. I.A preliminary study of an effective restraint system for pregnant women and children. In Proceedings of 13th Stapp Car Crash Conference, 1969, SAE paper 690814, pp. 353–364.
17.
HålandY.NilsonG.Seat belt pretensioners to avoid the risk of submarining—a study of lap-belt slippage factors. InAccidental Injury: Biomechanics and Prevention, S9–0-10.
18.
HammondT. L.Mickens-PowersB. F.StricklandK.HankinsG. D. V.The use of automobile safety restraint systems during pregnancyJOGNN, July/August 1990, 19, 4–1.
19.
PearlmanM. D.Management of trauma during pregnancyThe Female Patient, August 1996, 21, 79–95.
20.
PearlmanM. D.TitinalliJ. E.LorenzR. P.A prospective controlled study of outcome after trauma during pregnancyAm J. Obstet. Gynec., June 1990, 162 (6), 1502–1510.
21.
PearlmanM. D.TitinalliJ. E.Evaluation and treatment of the gravida and fetus following trauma during pregnancyObstet. Gynec. Clin. N. Am., 1991, 18, 371–381.
22.
CrosbyW. M.Traumatic injuries during pregnancyClin. Obstet. Gynec., 1983, 26, 902–912.
23.
StuartG. C. E.HardingP. G.R.DaviesE. M.Blunt abdominal trauma in pregnancyCMA J., 19 April 1980, 122
24.
ClyneC. A.C.AshbrookeE. A.Seat belt aorta: Isolated abdominal aortic injury following blunt traumaBr. J. Surg., 1985, 72, 2–239.
25.
FreemanC. P.Isolated pancreatic damage following seat belt injuryInjury, 1986, 17, 37–39.
Aitokallio-TallbergA.HalmesmäkiE.Motor vehicle accident during the second or third trimester of pregnancyActa Obstet. Gynec. Scand., April 1997, 76 (4), 313–317.
