A Preliminary Study of an Effective Restraint System for Pregnant Women and Children

A survey of accident reports and experimental studies showed that the lap belt does not provide sufficient protection for the pregnant car occupant in whom fetal injury or abortion often resulted. A net-type restraint system was used on pregnant sub-human primates which were subjected to decelerations of over 40g in a forward-facing configuration. The animals survived multiple impacts without treatment and delivered healthy infants. The data presented include belt loads, body kinematics, and intrauterine pressure measurements.