Lead researcher, Dr. Serpil Acar of Loughborough University says she is aware of the fact that “Pregnant women in cars currently adapt, modify and improvise their environment to increase efficiency, safety and comfort. Although there are laws, international recommendations, research and statements supporting the proper use of seat belts, pregnant women experience discomfort, often finding it impractical, sometimes impossible, to keep to these recommendations.”
Dr Acar, a specialist in engineering design for women and mathematical modeling of the spine, has embarked on this particular project because of the scarcity of focused research into the needs of pregnant car users. She states that, “A pregnant woman is not only bigger and heavier, but also the extra progesterone in her body loosens her muscles, ligaments and joints. Whatever she does she has to take extra care to safeguard the baby and her changed spine. She also has to be careful because of her changed center of gravity and hence balance.”
Dr. Acar concludes, “We hope that the design tools and resources that our research produces will help make a real difference to the quality of pregnant women’s lives, initially in an automotive context, but ultimately in design throughout every aspect of their lives.” |
