A few years ago it was said that the impact of the airbag in a traffic accident could increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and it was even advised to deactivate it.
A recent study shows that the airbag may not be dangerous for pregnant women and it is advised, therefore, not to be deactivated, as it is an important active element when it comes to protecting the life of women.
This study analyzed data from 3,348 collisions in which pregnant women had been implicated in the state of Washington, between 2002 and 2005. In most of the complications caused by accidents, even in the most serious ones such as Placental abruption, fetal stress or subsequent emergency caesarean section, there was no evidence that the airbag increased the risk.
When assessing cases of fetal death, a higher rate is observed in those accidents in which the airbag was activated, 1 percent versus 0.3 in those in which there was no airbag. However, the sample of cases is very small (two fetal deaths in each group) and therefore You cannot draw conclusions about it.
There was also a difference in preterm birth rates between the two groups of women. 16% of those who had had accidents with airbag activation had a premature delivery, compared to 10% of those who had suffered a collision without the presence of an airbag. This difference could not be considered statistically significant either.
The conclusion that is drawn is that Further studies are needed to know the real risk of premature delivery or stillbirth after an airbag accident.
Until new data is obtained, the recommendation is that pregnant women make use of the belt (with the lower strap over the bones of the pelvis, under the belly and the upper strap over the chest, between the breasts), traveling with the activated airbag, since it is a life-saving element, and that the seat is as far away as possible from the car dashboard.
If the woman is driving and the steering wheel is adjustable in height (the airbag leaves the steering wheel), it is better that it is oriented towards the chest and face, since a very low position of the steering wheel would cause the airbag, which comes out at a speed 300 km / h, will impact on the pregnant woman's belly.
