| Related Links: What to Do and Not to Do Following Your Maryland Accident Boost Your Child’s Safety in a Maryland Car Crash With a Booster Seat |
Today is the day where you finally get to find out the sex of your unborn baby. Your husband will be home in a few minutes and then you’ll both head to Holy Cross for your ultrasound. You’re so excited that you can barely sit still. As the minutes tick by, and you become more and more anxious, you decide it may be quicker to go wait in your car (that way your husband doesn’t have to drive and you’ll be all ready to go).
After about five more minutes, you finally see your husband’s car pull in next to yours. He sees you in your driver’s seat, and without turning off his engine, he rolls down his window to talk to you.
“If you think you’re driving, you’ve got another thing coming” he light heartedly exclaims. “I’ve read too many horror stories about pregnant women getting into accidents, to voluntarily let you drive.”
Begrudgingly, you get out of your car and into his passenger’s seat. After a few kisses, safety remarks, and adjustments to your seat belt, he makes his way to the hospital.
Was his concern really necessary? Are pregnant women more likely to get into accidents?
Pregnancy Effects That Increase Collision Risks
Pregnancy is a beautiful, yet at times somewhat uncomfortable, aspect of life. Some days it can be a real joy to rub your baby bump, while other times your feet ache, you spend hours with your head in the toilet, and you feel like you could sleep for a year.
These side effects—although incomparable with the overall joy of pregnancy—can not only be painful and uncomfortable, but they can also be dangerous. They can affect your judgment, control, and focus, drastically increasing your risk for a driving accident.
According to a study recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, pregnant women are 50 percent more likely to cause a car crash due to adverse pregnancy symptoms and side effects. The following symptoms can cause distractions, lack of focus, and involuntary reactions that can ultimately lead to swerving, braking, and accelerating unintentionally, causing a major accident. Here are a few other possible symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Low blood sugar and pressure
- Dizziness
- Shakes
- Painful twinges or cramping
Although these symptoms are natural and shouldn’t necessarily be cause for concern during daily activities, they shouldn’t be ignored when getting behind the wheel. Without the added distractions of pregnancy, driving already offers a lot of risks, making the worry greater for expectant drivers. However, as long as you take the proper precautions, avoid driving whenever possible (especially when you’re experiencing distracting symptoms), and use good and safe judgment behind the wheel, your and your baby’s injury risks should be minimal. Just remember to drive carefully and stay alert.
Have you already been injured and need advice about your car accident claim? Contact us today for a free consultation and more information about how our experience can help you and your family.
Take the time to click the media icons above and share this information with your friends, family, and expectant parents on Facebook or Google Plus. You never know when this information may help save a life, or even two.