Source
r/BabyBumps•
Imperfectment

Seatbelt adapters?

Info

I’ve seen a couple of ads on Facebook for the little adaptors that pulls the lap band between your legs, keeping the belt away from your belly. I’m 27 weeks and I’m now starting to really show. The belt is starting to get a little uncomfortable if I don’t position it multiple times during a car trip.

Being that I’ve been in 2 car accidents already during this pregnancy, I’m anxious about getting in another one. Luckily, my baby boy has been completely fine after both accidents, but still. Has anyone used the belt adapters? I’m going to ask my doctor about it at my appointment next week, but I just wanted to see what others think about them! The comments on the ads all are glowing, but I’m not convinced they’re not paid reviews.

Posted Sep 19, 2021, 5:26 PM UTC

024
shiftmax•

I’m pretty sure it’s not safe to adjust the seatbelt in anyway or add anything to it.

37
ImperfectmentOP•

Honestly that’s what I thought but it’s also why I’m asking. I was reading online I read that the safest thing is just tucking the seatbelt under your belly, but the comments under the product were just SO positive. I searched Reddit to see if anyone had already posted about them, but no one has.

4
shiftmax•

When you had yours car accidents how was your seatbelt? I would trust it in the ways it’s protected you before. I was rear ended in my last pregnancy and my seatbelt protected me well. It might have great reviews but of course companies won’t let bad reviews stay up

9
ImperfectmentOP•

My first accident was scary honestly because I was only 10 weeks and it was a higher speed accident. I had to have a viability check at the hospital and had pelvic pain due to the seat belt.

The second one was last month, but I was rear ended at a slower speed so I didn’t have any after effects and didn’t need to go to the hospital.

Yeah I really didn’t trust the ad because of that reason. I like this community and trust the advice I’ve been given already so I figured I’d ask here!

3
shiftmax•

Yes accidents are super scary. I was 35 weeks along and like we were hit coming off the highway. I wish us both safe travels and just tuck the seatbelt under your belly. !

4
Midi58076•

Pelvic pain is good! Means you had the belt in the right place! Probably saved you both a tonne of damage. What the pregnancy belt does is pull the belt artificially low. When it is too low on the pelvis it can crush the pelvis. It also isn't tested as rigorously as the regular 3-point is. If it breaks on impact and the regular belt snaps back to where it should have been in the first place it gives you time to gain an enormous amount of speed before catching you and again can crush your pelvis. Worst case scenario though is that it snaps and the regular belt ends up too high, directly on the bump causing internal bleeding, crushing the baby, placental abruption or something equally terrible that in a matter of minutes can kill you both.

2
randomuser13245768•

The belt adaptors are not tested under the proper conditions and are definitely not recommended.

19
BugMa850•

There's absolutely no standard for a "crash test" for products like this. When the companies claim they're crash tested, it can mean anything. There's a reason you see these ads on FB and not anywhere else. Please don't trust you and your baby's life to a product that preys on fears and only allows positive feedback to exist.

16
ImperfectmentOP•

That’s exactly why I came here! I was skeptical when I saw it and wanted to come to the community that I trust to get some feedback! I was on the fence, but leaning towards no before. After all these comments I’m 100% not going to buy it. Just being that I’ve been in 2 accidents already, I want to make sure both me and my little boy are safe.

3
Organic_dichotomy•

They are not recommended by professionals at all

14
Pink-glitter1•

In Australia they're illegal as adapting the function of the seatbelt ois illegal. Simply tuck the seat belt under your Belly so it still sits across your hips.

11
ImperfectmentOP•

Interesting that it’s illegal! Makes total sense to me though

2
Midi58076•

Normal standard 3-point-belt is recommended for every adult. Pregnant or not. If you use a pregnancy-adaptor then the belt will not work as well as without.

The belt goes beneath the bump and tighten well along the boniest part of the hips. You may have to lift the bump to pull it tightly under the bump, especially as you get more and more pregnant. You should wear as few clothes between you and the belt as possible. This is to reduce the distance between you and the belt and stopping you from gaining momentum/speed before you are caught by the belt. If you get cold, have a blanket on top of you.

If you are the passenger you should have the seat as far back as it goes. If you are the driver you should have it as far back as you can while still having total control over the pedals and you should have the steering wheel as high as it goes, or as high as you can while still able to see well over it.

This gives you and the baby the best chance of survival and damage reduction in the event of a car crash.

5
[deleted]•

I think the risk is from shear forces in an accident, not necessarily direct force from the seatbelt.

3
Comfortable_Day2971•

What everyone else is saying is good! I read additionally that in an accident, having your seat belt on your legs could cause the major artery to open and you could bleed out very quickly. Then both you and baby die. And while I do believe the manufacturers that they crash test their products, I know that there's only one pregnant crash test dummy and it isn't the best...so people who use the products and get in accidents are essentially testing them for the company.

Here's my source - https://thecarseatlady.com/pregnant/

3
AffectionateGear4•

Adapters aren't safe so I've never used one. Place the belt below and above your stomach and angle your steering wheel above your stomach.

3
ClassieCornelia•

Full honesty: I used them in my first pregnancy because I was just so uncomfortable with the belt on my belly. I was never in a car accident so I consider myself lucky.

I'm pregnant again and I will not be using them this pregnancy. I do not think they're safe if you actually get in a car accident. Despite what the manufacturers may advertise, they are not tested in crash scenarios. I feel like mine easily could have broken in a crash, and who knows what kind of damage the seat belt could do snapping back?

Definitely fact check me, but I think standard seat belts are tested for pregnant women, so they have to be safer than untested modified belts.

3
Akoncz•

My husband got me to ask my doctor about them. She said she’s never even heard of them…

2
ImperfectmentOP•

Honestly that seems like it should be my answer😂 if a doctor doesn’t know what it is, what business do I have trying it out lol

2
Akoncz•

The doctor that followed my pregnancy specializes in women’s health too, she sees a lot of low risk pregnant people.

0
coloradomama1#1: 🎀 2/2018 #2: 🎀 10/2019•

Those seat belt adapters are actually unsafe. I was rear ended and my car was totaled at 35w. Baby was fine and I’m glad I didn’t have any after market devices on.

2
tammynurse2000•

I have not seen those yet seems interesting tho

1
flamepointe•

Uh I bought some last pregnancy! Totally helped! I think they were safety tested…

-14
roselyn_b•

I have it and use it regularly. Makes riding in the car much more comfortable. I have not heard of women or babies being severely injured because of it. Without it, I was concerned that the sudden tightening of the belt around my waist/belly would cause trauma to my baby in the event of an accident.

-19