Driving without a seat belt while pregnant is seldom categorized alongside other fetal health risks such as illegal drugs, cigarettes and alchohol. However, based soley on the numbers of utero deaths and injuries it is obvious the education process should be given much greater attention by medical professionals and care givers. |
| "Driving for Two" Safety starts from day 1 |
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| If you find you would like to learn more about any given topic we review with you -- from anthropomorphic research -- to taking a defensive driving course from the National Safety Council (approx $50) -- just visit our "LINKS" Or you can send us an email with any question on any subject.... and we'll do our best to find an answer for you! We're here to help! |
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| "When we were pregnant nothing was scarier than looking in the rearview mirror and seeing someone tailgating our car. I was often terrified of having an accident so it was not not unusual for me to pull over and collect myself before getting back behind the wheel." Michelle W., Chicago, IL |
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| ______________________________________________________________ The experiences of many expectant drivers couldn't be summed up any better! Our concern for the safety of mothers and their unborn children-- while they are traveling in motor vehicles -- lead us to spend several months scouring libraries and websites, uncovering scores of articles and research reports. Experts in both the fields of automotive research and medicine have been conducting studies of fetal deaths and injuries caused by utero trauma suffered in auto accidents. Many estimate the average number of unborn infants killed this way ranges as high as 5,000 on an annual basis (SAE/UM report), and that number doesn't include the many thousands who will suffer with permanent life changing injuries. Even the most conservative estimates indicate there are more fetal deaths associated with motor vehicle accidents than infant deaths (Weiss, Songer, Fabio) The death of a mother killed in an auto accident is recorded and included in the total number of highway deaths reported each year by the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). However, nowhere in those reports will you find a record of the number of pre-birth babies who die on the highways each year. Yet by comparison -- the estimated number of fetal deaths caused by accidents is much higher (even on the low end of estimates) than the number of children ages 0-14 who die each year as a result of motor vehicle accidents. For example, approximately 1,450 children ages 0-14 died as a result of auto accidents in 2005. (see NHTSA statistics). The focus of NHTSA and the infant car seat industry has been on the protection of children (0-14) for all the obvious reasons. Their emphasis on the use of car seats and consumer awareness campaigns have made a significant difference over time, saving thousands of young lives. The use of booster seats and seat belts as children grow older has been increasingly effective as well in saving the lives of young children and teens. However, it is our contention that the same consumer awareness campaign must be enacted to reach expectant families (not just mom drivers, but dads and other relatives too!!). We are working diligently toward that end. Education is a tried and true safety device. We want to see the number of maternal deaths, utero deaths and life-changing injuries from accidents drop significantly -- as more parents become aware of the things they can do to make their daily trips much safer for themselves and their soon-to-be-born children. |
| As you know, pregnant Moms have special needs and thus require specific resources for everything from doctor care to nutrition to excercise routines. And now you can add "safety behind the wheel" to the list of special things Mom has at her disposal to help ensure a healthy delivery. |
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| Research continues in all areas to help provide Moms and babies with improved comfort and safety while traveling in their vehicles. Scientists, medical and automotive specialists are becoming more aware of the problems faced by pregnant drivers and passengers, as confirmed by Dr. Acar's work in the UK. |
| Safer Moms means Safer Babies! |
| A recently released report issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) concluded that the majority of newborn brain injury cases do not occur during labor and delivery. Rather, most instances of neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy are attributable to events occurring before labor begins. The report concludes that the majority of neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy originate from developmental or metabolic abnormalities, autoimmune and coagulation defects, infection, trauma, or combinations of these factors. The report has received the endorsement of several organizations |
| SEAT BELTS are a great idea! Learn why! |
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| Summer driving requires greater attention paid to pedestrians, cyclists and kids at play. ENJOY your summer but be extra careful on the road! |