Pregnancy and 4-point harnesses

[RV10Rob]

I'm curious what people are doing regarding pregnant passengers and 4-point harnesses. We're expecting our first child (yay!), and I'm concerned about my wife riding in our RV, with the 4-point harness buckle right over the belly. That's a lot of force in a bad place in an accident.

I'll ask our doctor, but I figure someone must have figured something out.

Thanks...

-Rob

[FORANE]

Originally Posted by RV10Rob

I'm curious what people are doing regarding pregnant passengers and 4-point harnesses. We're expecting our first child (yay!), and I'm concerned about my wife riding in our RV, with the 4-point harness buckle right over the belly. That's a lot of force in a bad place in an accident.

I'll ask our doctor, but I figure someone must have figured something out.

Thanks...

-Rob

Rob

Prior to 22 weeks gestation, the child would likely not be viable under the best of conditions. At 25 weeks there is around 80% survival. You may consider avoiding her riding the last 4 months or so. Try extending the shoulder straps so the belt may pass over her waist instead of her belly. Consider comorbidity such as if she is anemic; you may want to limit your ceiling altitude to less than say 8000 as a maximum.

[Wayne Gillispie]

You guys did things in the right order and built the right plane. Our two children are 8/11 now. I would hate to leave my wife on the ground, so I would just try to fly on "very good wx days" and reduce the risk as much as possible. I may also try to use a reduced power setting for takeoff/climb(C172 like), to keep hearing loss to a minimum. This of course depends on runway length/terrain. The baby would already be used to the noises/feelings. Good luck with the new project...Keep us posted on your first flight this fall.

[RV10Rob]

We asked our doctor, who tends to be permissive about most things that you hear "may be bad". She said my wife should not use a 4-point harness while she's pregnant. My wife doesn't like being grounded, but understands.

Next up: figuring out how to strap an infant into the back seat!

-Rob

[jbagley]

Rob,

I'm in the same situation here. Our doctor told us that later on in the pregnancy, significant changes in pressure can induce labor.

I never understood staying below 8000' (cabin pressure in a commercial jet). Do they not have babies in Colorado? It seems to me (guessing) that the larger danger is rapid change in pressure (climbing and descending real fast). I don't know what "rate of climb" commercial aircraft cabins experience, or how quickly their cabins achieve 8000' pressure altitude. But, I suspect that my airplane gets there a bit more slowly on average.

The other danger is in sitting still for too long at a time. Doctor told us to limit flights to 2 hours or less if possible. Getting up and moving around isn't an option in my airplane.

On the harness question, isn't there a type of 4-point harness that has the shoulder straps attaching closer to the hips? I found these for race cars:


I don't think a push button belt is a good idea in an airplane, but otherwise the shoulder strap configuration may work out better for a pregnant wife.

[Sam Buchanan]

Good grief guys....is riding around in our little airplanes so important we can't request our wife stay on the ground for a few weeks to insure the safe arrival of our baby?????

[FORANE]

Originally Posted by jbagley

I never understood staying below 8000' (cabin pressure in a commercial jet). Do they not have babies in Colorado?

2,3 dpg

Made by the red blood cell in response to a low partial pressure of oxygen at higher altitudes, among other factors. Takes a few days at high altitude to occur. 2,3 dpg increases the efficiency of the red blood cells ability to carry and unload oxygen at the cellular level. In short, the Colorado moms have more 2,3 dpg than the lowlanders and as such are not effected by the altitude as much. Also, mild anemia is frequently observed with pregnancy and decreases the ability to carry oxygen.

[jbagley]

Sam,

Your absolutely right. But, my wife is only 14 weeks along and the harness in the airplane already doesn't seem to work so well. I'm looking for a way that we can do some flying together during the next few months. Once baby arrives, it will be quite a long time before we can fly together.

For me, it'll be a struggle to keep her grounded during the last 4 weeks or so.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by jbagley

Sam,

Your absolutely right. But, my wife is only 14 weeks along and the harness in the airplane already doesn't seem to work so well. I'm looking for a way that we can do some flying together during the next few months. Once baby arrives, it will be quite a long time before we can fly together.

For me, it'll be a struggle to keep her grounded during the last 4 weeks or so.

James, this is your call.......but what is a few weeks compared to the next half-century spent with your kids and grandkids..........

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

Good grief guys....is riding around in our little airplanes so important we can't request our wife stay on the ground for a few weeks to insure the safe arrival of our baby?????

Being grounded for 9 months wouldn't appeal to me. If your wife loves to fly, i'd expect her reaction would be the same. The reality is, there's still a greater chance of getting seriously hurt in a car accident during the pregnancy. Even more so if *she* drives, and if the car has a steering wheel airbag.