Can Pregnant Drive Far Away ?? Check Out The Following Driving Tips For Pregnant
In the holiday season or before the holidays, most people
decide to go on vacation or go visit family in their hometown. You might want
to do the same thing, but the pregnancy you are currently undergoing makes you
hesitate to travel. Mother, both as a driver and passenger, a long or short
distance trip, it's okay to travel by car while pregnant.
Driving during pregnancy is considered safe. As long as you
have a healthy pregnancy, it's okay to drive during pregnancy. But, in the
final months of pregnancy, an enlarged stomach can make it harder for you to
enter and exit the car. Even your stomach can block the steering wheel, so some
pregnant women choose to stop driving towards the end of pregnancy.
Is it safe to drive during the first trimester?
When talking about driving while pregnant, most people think
about driving in the final months of pregnancy. Even though driving during the
first trimester must also be concerned, is it safe?
Here are some reasons to avoid driving in the first
trimester:
One thing that happens in the first trimester and is
experienced by most mothers is nausea. This is natural and sometimes there are
not many ways to deal with it. Nausea can make it difficult for you to sit
behind the wheel. Many mothers avoid driving for the first few months because
of the risk of morning sickness and potentially can cause accidents.
Another common symptom experienced by pregnant women during
the first trimester is feeling very tired. This can happen very suddenly, and
can be severe so it is difficult to make sure the eyes remain open, especially
paying attention to the road you are passing. This certainly can be risky when
driving.
Doctor's orders. If your doctor instructs you not to drive
because of certain medical conditions or risks to prospective babies, follow
your doctor's advice not to drive.
What needs to be considered when traveling by car during
pregnancy
When pregnant, you don't need to avoid traveling by car.
Here are some important things you need to pay attention to when traveling by
car during pregnancy:
Drunk trip
When you are pregnant you are more prone to travel sickness.
But if you often feel nauseous and vomiting while riding a car, even though you
have never experienced a similar thing before, it could be that you experience
is morning sickness, especially at the beginning of the pregnancy. Morning
sickness and motion sickness have similar symptoms, so it will be difficult to
distinguish between the two. Oh yes Mother, if you experience motion sickness
before becoming pregnant, you will usually experience morning sickness during
pregnancy.
Travel sickness is a common problem experienced by people
traveling by car, airplane, or ship. Travel sickness occurs when the sensory
balance system that covers the ears, eyes, and nerves of the sensor in the
skin, muscles, and joints sends conflicting messages to the brain. If the ear
feels motion, for example, but the eye is not so, the result is nausea.
To reduce motion sickness in a car, sit in the front seat,
open the window to get fresh air, and focus on one object in the distance.
Inside the plane, sitting near the wing of the plane. The aircraft wing is the
most stable area. On a ship, stay on the boat deck and point forward.
Light snacks can slightly relieve a nauseous stomach. It
would be better if you avoid large meals before traveling. Although the
research is still uncertain, some women feel that wearing an armband with
acupressure can relieve travel sickness as well as morning sickness.
If nausea and vomiting continue to interfere, try taking
vitamin B6 supplements. However, do not drink more than 10 to 25 mg, three
times a day, and be sure to count the amount in your prenatal vitamin or ask
your doctor or midwife about which medication you are safe to consume.
You can also take medications such as diphenhydramine or
dimenhydrinate 30 minutes before traveling. This medicine is easily obtained at
pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. If you drive long distances, take
medications such as scopolamine or meclizine, which have long-term effects and
make you avoid motion sickness. Scopolamine is a patch that must be used 12
hours before traveling.
Seatbelt
You need to always wear a seat belt when traveling by car,
whether pregnant or not. This applies when you sit behind or in front. Wearing
a seat belt correctly will help protect you and potential babies from danger
when an incident occurs or the vehicle stops suddenly.
It is highly recommended to use a seat belt even if you are
pregnant. It would be very dangerous if you didn't wear it. Research repeatedly
shows that the best way to protect a developing fetus is to protect yourself.
One of the ways is by wear a seat belt every time you are in a vehicle.
To avoid injury to the mother and baby, the seat belt must
be properly installed. Place the lower part of the belt under the abdomen,
right at the waist. Don't wear a belt above or right on the abdomen. During a
collision, a sudden impact on this position can cause the placenta to separate
from the uterus or cause another injury.
If you wear a thick coat or sweater that makes the seat belt
shift to the stomach, remove the thick clothes, Bun. Also always use a shoulder
belt, which is placed right between the breasts. If the shoulder belt is in the
neck position, adjust the seat or belt for better. Do not attach shoulder belts
under your arms or behind your back.
When driving, adjust the position of the front seat so that
it is far enough from the steering wheel and dashboard but you can still reach
the pedal comfortably. If the steering wheel can be adjusted, point it away
from the stomach. That way, the air bag will point to the chest, not the
stomach.
When an accident occurs
Regardless of your gestational age, if you have an accident,
immediately see a doctor. Even though Mother feels fine, still call the doctor
or go to the hospital immediately.
Mother, a sudden stop motion can cause the mother and fetus
to experience an injury called contra-coup injury which causes interference
with the affected part of the body. In addition, the effects of car accidents
can make you and your future baby more at risk of problems such as slow baby
growth, complications of preterm labor, increased stress and blood pressure,
preeclampsia, and problems with the placenta. But also keep in mind, having a
high risk does not mean you or your baby will automatically experience this
problem. The possibility of a doctor or medical expert deciding to induce labor
if there is a risk to your health or the fetus.
Although the uterus protects the fetus and placenta during
sudden collisions, although it is not severe there is still the potential for
placental detachment from the fetus. Placental abruption can cause serious
problems such as bleeding, miscarriage, or premature birth. When there is an
abruption, you may not feel any symptoms.
At the hospital you will undergo an overall examination. If
the condition is stable, you will undergo an ultrasound to check the condition
of the fetus and placenta. You and your baby can be monitored for several hours
or more, depending on the age of the fetus and the symptoms you experience,
such as bleeding or contractions. If you are Rh negative, you will get an
injection of Rh immunoglobin if there is a possibility that your blood mixes
with the blood of the fetus.
After getting permission to go home, you need to be on guard
in case of vaginal bleeding, oozing fluid, contractions, or pain in the
abdominal area, as well as a decrease in the number of baby movements. If you
experience these symptoms, immediately contact your midwife or doctor. For your
safety and the fetus, always use a seat belt when driving. Maternal mortality
is a major cause of fetal death in accidents.
The need to go to the bathroom
The bigger the size of the fetus in the stomach, you will
urinate 3 to 4 times more often than usual. When traveling, it's not easy to
find a bathroom. Away from home makes this facility unpredictable, unclean, or
rarely found. But this natural calling will definitely be very difficult to
resist even though you have tried, so when you find the toilet, immediately
take advantage of its existence.
Before leaving, prepare roll tissue, wet tissue, and
anti-bacterial hand sanitizer. Wear the panty liner too to absorb leaks. You
also need to keep a backup panty liner in the bag. If you bring a private
vehicle you can prepare a potty that looks like a potty for a child or a tin of
biscuits and a lid.
To travel by train or bus, choose a seat near the hallway to
get to the toilet without disturbing the passengers beside you. If there is no
toilet on the bus, tell the driver that you are pregnant and ask how often the
bus stops so that passengers can go to the bathroom. In order not to bother
when going to the bathroom, wear clothes that are easily removed. Choose
clothes that are separate tops and subordinates, rather than one-piece clothes
or overalls.
Is it safe to travel in a car equipped with water bags
during pregnancy?
Airbags will protect you and prospective babies in the event
of an incident. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts and you will be
safe while wearing a seat belt properly.
The air bag will also provide additional protection, so make
sure you activate it. But air bags do not replace the need to wear seat belts.
In fact, air bags can be dangerous if they are open and you don't wear a seat
belt.
The seat belt will open you hold your chest up and keep you
away from the steering wheel. While air bags help spread the power of collisions,
they act as a cushion for you and your stomach.
When you drive and the steering wheel can be adjusted,
position it away from the stomach. If this makes it harder for you to see, use
a cushion to raise the sitting position slightly higher.
How about a long trip by car for pregnant women?
There is no reason not to travel by car while pregnant, but
you need to go to the bathroom frequently on long trips. As mentioned, as much
as possible do stretching and rest a lot. When sitting in a car makes you
backache, try using a pillow or roll of jacket on your back.
Make sure you always carry your cellphone and when it is
approaching the estimated date of birth, take it as well as pregnancy documents
while traveling.
Travel rules for pregnant women
You may plan to travel while pregnant, but there are a
number of things that need to be considered before you do it.
Traveling by car to vacation during pregnancy can be the
thing you need before you are busy with newborns, changing diapers, and lacking
sleep. But this holiday will be a little different than before. To ensure a
safe trip, here are the rules you need to know:
Consult a doctor
Whatever type of transportation to use, the first thing a
pregnant woman needs to do is consult a doctor. Certain medical conditions can
interfere with land or air travel, this condition can be placenta previa,
premature labor, or blood clotting disorders.
Travel in the second trimester
The best time to travel by car is mid-pregnancy, between
weeks 14 to 28. Usually in the middle of pregnancy pregnant women feel healthy,
also have a lower risk of complications.
Drink plenty of water
There is a close relationship between dehydration and
uterine contractions, which makes water intake important for pregnant women.
Always provide a bottle of drinking water in the car and drink more if you
sweat.
Take medication or supplements
You need to make sure you have packed the medicines and
vitamins for pregnant women that you need while on vacation. It is also
important to carry additional doses to guard if you have to travel longer than
planned.
Get out of the car and stretch
Pregnant women should stop driving at least every two hours
so that blood flow returns to the lower body to help avoid complications.
Light stretches, both inside and outside the car, will make
blood flow. Sitting for a long time feels uncomfortable when you are pregnant.
This can make the feet and ankles swollen, cramped and heartburn. But by moving
a little, you can overcome this discomfort. When sitting, turn your ankles and
move your toes.
In the final stages of pregnancy, you feel uncomfortable if
you don't move regularly. Try to stop driving at least every 90 minutes to rest
and go to the toilet. Provide drinking water and healthy snacks to maintain
energy levels and stay hydrated. Don't forget to wear comfortable clothes and
shoes, Bun.
No less important, you need to anticipate if unexpected
health problems occur, which can occur during pregnancy. If this happens while
you are traveling, you need to contact the nearest doctor and hospital for
treatment.
What should be done if the vehicle breaks down in the middle
of a trip?
Some simple anticipation steps indicate you are ready when
the vehicle breaks down and other emergencies. Always make sure you carry a
cellphone. If you are going to travel far to a remote area, provide additional
supplies in the form of clothing, flashlights, money, snacks and drinks in the
car.
If your vehicle breaks down in the middle of a trip, follow
these steps:
Pull over to the shoulder of the road
Use an alarm
Contact help, try to find out where you are on the map. You
can use the application on a smartphone.
If you feel insecure or you are carrying a toddler, it will
be better if you sit on the passenger side and lock the car door.