Pregnant Drivers’ Travel Tips
There is no doubt, that in comparison to the average motorist, any pregnant woman has to face additional safety rules, when riding in motor vehicles. All pregnant women drivers should keep to the following rules:
• It would be useful to wear a three – point safety belt instead of an average two – point, if possible;
• The air bag should be left operational;
• Any woman during her pregnancy should try to drive only vehicles, which allow the most clearance between the steering wheel and the woman’s belly, if possible;
• Coats are either to be removed, or at least adjusted, so, that they would not interfere with low placement of the lap part of a safety belt;
• Any driving in dangerous conditions, for example on icy roads or in a rainy or foggy weather are to be avoided, or at least minimized as much as possible;
• The steering wheel is to be placed in such a way, that it would provide the maximum abdomen – to – wheel clearance, while it should be aimed more toward the chest, rather than the head;
• When it is possible, pregnant women should avoid driving, and they are to try to ride as passengers in order to eliminate potential contact with the steering wheel.

Positioning the Seatbelt during Pregnancy
In case of a correct positioning, a seat belt may easily become a lifesaver. Pregnant women should buckle up with their waist belt being as low as possible. The belt should be placed below woman’s belly and right across her hips, though not across the belly. In case if a woman is dressed into a coat or in any other kind of heavy clothing, she is to make sure that her clothes will not allow the seat belt to slide up on her belly. As for the upper part of the seat belt, it should cross shoulder without chafing the neck and it may never be slipped off the shoulder. In case if the upper part of the seat belt occurs near the woman’s neck, she should either change the position of it in a way, which would be the most comfortable for her.
Here are some other “seat belt wearing” safety tips:
• It is necessary to wear both the lap belt, as well as the shoulder belt;
• The shoulder belt is to be placed across the center of the chest, which is between the woman’s breasts, though it is never to be placed under a pregnant woman’s arm;
• The lap belt is never to be put across the pregnant woman’s belly;
• Before going somewhere a woman is to make sure that her belt fits snugly. Any slack is to be pulled out of it;
• If safety belts are worn either too loosely or too high on the belly, they can cause broken rigs or injuries to the woman’s belly. However, the danger is much greater in case if they are not applied at all.

Plan Frequent Stops for Having a Rest
In case if a pregnant woman is going to travel a long distance in the car, it may be necessary for her to make stops every several hours not only for bathroom breaks, but to be able to walk around a little bit. Prolonged sitting position can make her ankles or feet swell, and it may even result in leg cramps. In addition, a kicking inside baby can provide a feeling of discomfort. In this case getting out and taking a walk around would be the best way to alleviate this problem.

Car Travel and Blood Circulation
When a pregnant woman is a car passenger, she is a happy person, because she is able to take her shoes off and recline her seat at least a little bit. It would also be useful to make frequent rotational movements with her ankles and wiggle her toes, as this will help the blood circulation.  In addition, a kicking fetus may be a source of feeling of discomfort, in case if a woman is not able change a sitting position for a prolonged period of time. Getting up and walking around would alleviate this problem.

Pregnancy and Body Temperature
During a car trip it is advisable for an expecting mother to dress in layers, because her body temperature is bound to be different than everyone else in that car. This is why a woman must always be ready to remove extra layers in order to keep herself cool.