Are pregnancy ‘bump belts’ safe? – Generally, yes. A well-designed pregnancy seat belt adjuster is designed to sit across your thighs – which is how your seat belt should be positioned, ideally. If your standard seat belt lap strap goes across the belly button, then it’s probably too high and a ‘bump belt’ may be worth trying.
- There are quite a few designs on the market so it’s worth reading the online reviews before buying.
- Make sure you can return it if it doesn’t work out.
- Most pregnancy seat belt adjusters are easy to install and in most cases you shouldn’t feel their presence.
- However there are reports of some loosening quickly.
Also, some seat belt adjusters work better in some car brands or models than others. If your car seats have an extendable support feature, a bump belt might be more difficult to install. But if a ‘bump belt’ allows you to drive for longer and more comfortably, they may be worth it.
Is it safe to use pregnancy seat belt adjuster?
It’s safe to wear a seatbelt during pregnancy – in fact, it’s dangerous to not wear one. Research has repeatedly shown that the best way to protect your growing baby is to protect yourself by wearing a properly positioned seat belt every time you’re in a car or truck.
- To avoid injuring yourself and your baby, make sure your seat belt is properly fastened.
- Use a three-point restraint, meaning your seat belt should have a lap belt and a shoulder strap.
- Secure the lap belt under your belly, low and snug on your hipbones.
- Never wear the belt across or above your belly.
- During a crash, the sudden jolt from a belt in this position could cause a placental abruption (when the placenta tears away from the wall of the uterus) or other injuries.
Always use the shoulder belt, too, which should fit snugly between your breasts and off to the side of your belly. If the shoulder belt cuts across your neck, reposition your seat or the belt so it fits better. Don’t place the shoulder belt under your arm or behind your back.
- Experts recommend against using seat belt positioning devices marketed toward pregnant women.
- There are no safety standards for any of these devices, and – by repositioning the seat belt or how it functions – they may put you in an unsafe situation if you get in a crash.
- If your seat belt doesn’t fit comfortably, you can use a seat belt extender to give you a little extra room.
If you’re wearing a heavy winter coat, it’s recommended you remove it before buckling up, since heavy clothes can make it harder to fit your seat belt securely.
Are pregnancy belts safe?
Are there any disadvantages of wearing a pregnancy support belt? – Support belts are specifically designed so that they are safe to wear in pregnancy and do not harm your baby. The main downside of support belts is that they cannot be worn for long periods of time as they may affect blood flow to the abdomen, and can also cause pain and heartburn.
- If worn for too long, support belts can also affect pelvic floor and bowel function, and may be less effective at reducing pain than if only worn for short periods.
- It is therefore best if you wear the belt for only a couple of hours per day, and talk to your midwife or physiotherapist about how best to position the belt.
Finally, support belts can be quite expensive compared with pregnancy bands, especially the most rigid or thickly padded belts.
Where should a seat belt sit on a pregnant woman?
Print During pregnancy all women should always wear a seat belt and wear the lap section of their seat-belt below their baby bump, across the pelvis, rather than across their stomach. A seat belt worn incorrectly—even while travelling at only 40km per hour—could almost double the risk of harm to an unborn baby.
- However wearing a seat belt is still vital during pregnancy to prevent harm to yourself and your baby.
- The Belt Below Bump safety card shows the correct positioning of a seat belt during pregnancy.
- There is one simple thing you can do to keep you and your baby safe every time you get in the car – put your seat belt on and make sure it is below your bump.
Last updated: 28 January 2016
How safe is the Mimi Belt?
Easy Installation Instructions – 
- 1: The adjuster’s belt should be pulled through the gap between the seat and the backrest
- 2: Then the belt should be pulled underneath the seat, ensuring that the belt is not twisted
- 3: The end of the belt should be looped through the upper and lower hole of the buckle respectively
- 4: The belt should be tightened securely by pulling it downwards
Question: Is this product legal and safe? Answer: The MimiBelt ™ has been dummy-tested and certified for safety – reducing the force of impact on the belly by over 82.7% and is legal to use in various countries (check list above). Question: Will this become loose on my seat? Answer: The MimiBelt ™ is extremely adjustable to 99% of stock vehicle car seats.
The inner layer is made from steel, outer later is made with thermoplastic to keep our mama’s safe. The new design now has more tensile strength to keep you & your baby safe in case of high impact accidents. Question: I have had surgery near my abdomen and it’s really sensitive, will this be of any benefit to me? Answer: Yes! Although the MimiBelt ™ was made for our Mama’s going through pregnancy, this belt can be used for all purposes due to it’s design and is very suitable for anyone with larger or sensitive bellies.
Question: What if it doesn’t fit or work for me? Answer: We’re incredibly confident you’ll love our safety belt. But if you aren’t satisfied with the product for whatever reason, we’ll provide you a full refund – no ifs, or buts. Question: Can I get a discount if I order more than one? Answer: Yes you can, for a limited time we are running an offer where we will provide a 10% (2 pieces) or 20% (3+ pieces) discount on your order when you purchase more than 1 piece. 30-Day Money Back Guarantee If you don’t have a positive experience for any reason, you can contact one of our helpful customer service representatives here and our team will respond back to you within 24 hours.
Should you turn airbags off pregnant?
Pregnancy seat belt rules – Road accidents can be a concern when you’re pregnant. If you do have a car accident, you should always get checked out – no matter how ok you feel. However, there are many ways to stay as safe as possible when you jump in a car. If you’re pregnant, you should:
Always wear a three-point seat belt. Make sure the shoulder belt goes over the shoulder, collarbone and down across the chest, between the breasts. Make sure the lap belt is worn as low as possible under the abdomen and the baby. Adjust the seat belt to fit as comfortably as possible, and adjust the seat too if necessary.
(Hendey and Votey, 1994; Centre for Maternal and Child Enquiries, 2011) Wearing a seat belt while pregnant – as always – is compulsory unless your doctor says you don’t have to for medical reasons. If that’s the case, you’ll be given a Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Beat Wearing that you’ll need to keep in your car (Gov.UK, 2018),
How long can I wear a pregnancy belt?
By SRC Health As with all health-related products, especially during pregnancy, the key to making the right decision is knowledge. Consulting a women’s health care professional like a Women’s Health Physiotherapist is always a good idea. So, what are Belly Belts, Maternity Belts and Pregnancy Belts? Belly Belts and Maternity Belts Because the terms “belly belt” and “maternity belt” do not specify whether it is for pregnancy or post-natal use, they are ambiguous, and you need to work out what stage of your maternity journey they are for; during pregnancy or for recovery after birth.
Maternity belts and belly belts can be either a Pregnancy Support Belt or a Post Pregnancy Tummy Wrap. Some claim to do both. The Good – Why You should Wear a Belly Belt, Maternity Belt or Pregnancy Belt: Approximately 70% of all pregnant women suffer low back pain and up to 45% exhibit symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain.
Women with one or both conditions can find it difficult to cope with and participate in everyday activities. Good reasons to wear pregnancy belts during your pregnancy:
Relieving pain in joints, muscles and lower back Assisting with pain of the sacroiliac joint and hip joint Decreasing the discomfort and providing support to the pelvic area during various activities by stabilising the pelvis and relieving pressure from the lower back To help improve posture
According to Dr. Christopher Smith, obstetrician and gynaecologist, maternity belts offer additional comfort during daily activities, reducing soreness associated with abdominal wall expansion in the late trimesters. Because Belly Belts and Maternity Belts could also refer to post-partum belly belts, or post-partum girdles for after delivery, the benefits they can deliver after birth are:
Postpartum belly belt can help to speed up the recovery process by providing support to the abdominal muscles that have separated during pregnancy and encourage them to return to their pre-pregnancy state The post-partum maternity belt may also assist with better healing of your C-section scar Finally, it will provide stability and support to assist with your general mobility after delivery
The Bad – Why wearing a Belly Belt, Maternity Belt or Pregnancy Belt may not be your optimal solution: The issue with most belly belts is that they do not move with your body, they can feel restrictive and need constant readjustment which can be frustrating to some.
It’s a good idea to try one on and/or make sure you can get a refund if the product simply irritates you when you have to constantly readjust when sitting down or getting up. Pregnancy belts are not the most comfortable or flattering things to wear, especially if you are wearing them under anything that is fitted as they will show through.
Many maternity belts have hooks, loops or Velcro to adjust the belt and keep it in the right position and at the right tension, however this also means there is a chance of these catching and ripping your clothes. The Ugly – Why you need to take wearing pre-natal or post-natal Belly Belts Belly Belts fall into the same category as Shapewear which by definition are designed to change shape with high levels of compression being applied to your body.
When should I wear pregnancy belt?
First Trimester Belly Bands – These three months probably feel like survival mode for many moms-to-be. Between morning sickness and exhaustion, your growing body is putting you through the ringer as you nurture that little one through its earliest days of life.
In these first few months, you might not need a belly band regularly, but once in a while, the support can make all the difference. Here’s what we suggest: 2-in-1 Bandit™ This maternity belly support band is a smart purchase because it also doubles as a hip wrap for postpartum. It lifts and supports your growing belly, while also reducing the strain on your back muscles.
During your first trimester, you might need this band towards the end as your belly really starts to grow. We suggest wearing it for an hour or two at a time, especially if you’re exercising. 
When should you start wearing maternity belt?
When should I start wearing a pregancy support band? – Women who are interested in trying a pregnancy support band should always begin by speaking with their doctor (this not only ensures your health and safety, but a doctor’s prescription is necessary to receive a pregnancy support band through insurance ).
Pregnancy belts and bands can be worn at any time during or after pregnancy, although it’s usually women in the second and third trimesters who have the most trouble with back and pelvic pain. Twenty weeks is the average recommended time to start using one. Maternity belly bands are meant to be worn temporarily to help reduce abdominal and back discomfort during and after pregnancy.
Pregnancy or maternity belts should only be worn for short sessions – around 2 to 3 hours at a time – so that they do not replace the work of your core muscles. You only want to reinforce and support these muscles. Many women find that the best times to wear one are during exercise or other physical activities. Maternity support bands are great for exercise.
How should you sit in a car while pregnant?
The safest place in a car for a pregnant woman is in the back seat with a seat belt on ; make sure the lap belt is tucked under your belly for maximum safety. If riding as a passenger in the front of the car, push the seat as far back as it will go and do not turn off the air bags.
Can slamming on brakes hurt the baby?
A woman’s womb does offer a significant level of protection for the baby inside, but any type of sudden impact or extreme force—whether that be from contact with another vehicle or just from slamming on the brakes— can cause the placenta to separate from the uterus.
How do you put on a maternity belt?
Belly Bandit 2-in-1 Bandit – 
Buying Options: Registry List: Pros: Can be used during pregnancy and after delivery Cons: Some users were confused about how to adjust it Why We Love It In addition to pregnancy support bands, there are also postpartum bands that help support your body after giving birth.
The 2-in-1 Bandit is designed to do both. During pregnancy, wrap the long band underneath your stomach and for light support, or double the short band over it for extra compression. After delivery, you can fasten the bands around your hips and lower back, which can help ease tension on your hips and pelvis.
It comes in two size ranges: XS-M and L-XL, Sizing: XS/M (0-8), 40 inches in length; L/XXL (10-18), 52 inches in length Community Reviews “For support I got the 2-in-1 band from Belly Bandit and it’s super amazing! Gives excellent support.” – ZoyaH
Are pregnancy seat belts legal in UK?
Wearing a seat belt while pregnant – You must wear a seat belt if you’re pregnant, unless your doctor says you don’t have to for medical reasons.
What is a Mimi Belt?
The Pregnancy Safety Belt for Expectant Mothers! Tested and approved for legally registered vehicles.
Are pregnancy seat belts legal in Australia?
Children and car restraints – Approximately 150 children are admitted annually to Perth Children’s Hospital as a result of a road traffic injury, according to Kidsafe WA. Tragically, vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of death for children aged 0-14 years. When fitting your child car restraint, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s safely fitted.
Ideally you should choose to have it professionally fitted. For children aged up to six months, a rearward-facing restraint (e.g., infant capsule) must be used. Children between six months and up to four years of age must either sit in a rearward-facing restraint or a forward-facing restraint that has an inbuilt harness. Children under four years of age must not be in the front row of seats in a vehicle that has two or more rows of seats.
From four to under seven years of age, a child should remain in a forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness or switch to a booster seat with a properly fastened lap and sash seat belt or lap seat belt and child harness. Even at this age, a child must not be in the front row of seats if there are two or more rows, unless the seats behind are occupied by children under seven years old, or the seat’s not suitable a forward-facing restraint or booster seat to be installed.
- While the law focuses on age, it does require children to transition to the next applicable restraint requirement, if the child is too big or tall to be safely restrained in the one for their age group.
- Once the child reaches seven years of age, parents must assess whether they are big enough to safely use an adult seat belt or should remain in the child restraint.
It’s recommended you follow the ‘ 5 Step Test ‘ on the Kidsafe WA website to determine whether they’ve outgrown the necessary points of contact. A seat belt is still effective for pregnant women and is required by law. You should place the lap-belt as low as possible under the baby, so it sits over the upper thighs and pelvis.
How do you use Mimi’s belt?
Position the Lap Belt Under Your Belly The lap belt should fit snugly across your hips and pelvic bone—underneath your belly. That way, in the event of a crash, the strong bones in your hips and pelvis may partially absorb the impact of the crash.
When should I install the infant car seat?
Plan to have the car seat at least 3 weeks before your due date so you will have time to install it correctly and learn how to buckle the baby in safely.
How should a seat belt fit an adult?
An adult seat belt fits correctly when: –
The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat. The lap belt is low and snug across the upper thighs, not the belly. Your child is tall enough to sit against the vehicle seat back with her knees bent over the edge of the seat without slouching and can comfortably stay in this position throughout the trip.
