Trauma and Pregnancy

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Trauma during pregnancy is generally considered physical trauma that occurs to a woman and her belly. Typically, trauma during pregnancy is associated with accidents that occur such as falls or car accidents as well as unfortunate situations of abuse which may include being assaulted, punched or kicked. Trauma can even sometimes be something as simple as a dog jumping on the belly or even a younger child running into Mom’s belly.

Fortunately, serious trauma in pregnancy is rare. However, there are certain things that one must remember when they are pregnant. Because a pregnant woman’s center of gravity changes during pregnancy as a result of the newly added weight, pregnant women are to some extent more prone to trauma during pregnancy. In areas where there is a lot of ice and snow, it is extremely important to be careful not to slip or fall. Remember, pregnant women may not be as deft and able to handle these types of situations that were once normal and easy to handle before becoming pregnant.

When someone is pregnant and does fall, it is crucial to remember whether or not the abdomen was hit. In car accident situations, it is important to remember if the belly was hit by the steering wheel or airbag. These are very important pieces of information that the doctor will want to know. Ultimately, the doctor will want to determine if the placenta was affected by the event. The placenta is the organ that attaches to the uterine wall that provides the baby its nutrients. Normally, the baby is well insulated from the outside world, but a sudden jerky traumatic event may cause it to peel off from the uterine wall. Signs of problems associated with trauma and the placenta include pain, vaginal bleeding, contractions and absence of movement from the baby.

Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry. If you experience any of these unfortunate events while pregnant, even if it did not affect your baby, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor or visit the hospital to have you and your baby examined.