[Submitted Question]

. I can’t believe that I am finally pregnant. Of course now I can stop worrying about a dozen things. For example, I am wondering whether airbags are a good idea during pregnancy. Would it be better to turn them off?

[WombToBloom]

NHTSA (National Highway Transportation Safety Administration) is currently reviewing the effect of air bags on pregnant women. The present recommendation is to keep the air bags on AND wear your seat belt - they work together to protect you. Also, pregnant women should sit as far from the air bag as possible, with your seat slightly tilted back.

Pending some other finding by NHTSA, it is generally believed that your baby is well protected by your body and its amniotic fluid so that any impact with an exploding air bag might bruise you but not affect your baby.