Dealing with Trauma and Pregnancy

Dealing with Trauma and Pregnancy

If someone is pregnant and driving a motor vehicle, it is important to use caution. This will ensure that both the patient and the unborn child are protected against the dangers of moving at high speed in a car. However, it is also vital for people to be able to recognize when the pregnancy could be at risk. When someone has been involved in an auto accident and has suffered serious injuries, such as bone fractures, there are a handful of symptoms that could indicate that the pregnancy could be at risk. These include:

• Bruising: If someone has suffered abdominal trauma, there could be a significant amount of bruising over the abdomen. This could indicate damage in the uterus placing the pregnancy at risk.
• Bleeding: Another symptom that people should look out for is bleeding. If bleeding is coming from the vaginal or cervical area, this could indicate that the body is trying to abort the pregnancy. Also called a miscarriage, this could be a sign that the pregnancy is in trouble.
• Cramping: If the pregnancy is later in the cycle, it is possible that the body could abort the pregnancy by going into labor, particularly after polytrauma. This could manifest itself with uterine cramping similar to those that a patient might feel during labor.
• Lack of Movement: If the pregnancy is late enough in the timeline that the patient has already felt the baby moving, she should make sure that the baby is still moving after the accident. If she is no longer feeling any movement, it could be a sign of fetal demise.

An Academic Review Article Shares some Advice

A team of medical professionals put together a review article that shares some advice that is important for both medical professionals and pregnant patients. When patients visit their physician, the doctor must share this advice with their patients to make sure that they aren't placed in a risky situation.

• Education: The first step is education. It is important for medical professionals to share injury prevention tips with their patients. This includes motor vehicle safety and information about how their body will change during pregnancy.
• Follow Guidelines: When a patient comes in after suffering trauma, medical professionals should follow the published guidelines of their respective boards of medicine. This will guide physicians with regards to what imaging scans and lab tests should be ordered and when surgery is appropriate.
• Prevention is Key: Finally, the most powerful way to reduce morbidity and mortality in pregnant patients is to prevent injuries from happening in the first place. Encourage seatbelt use, bed rest when appropriate, and safe driving techniques.

Moving Forward with Prevention

It is important for medical professionals to understand how to manage trauma and pregnancy. This starts by ensuring that the mother is stabilized when she arrives following a serious accident. They should always check and evaluate the airway, breathing, and circulation of the patient. If the heart isn't beating, CPR and defibrillation are important. If the blood pressure is too low, fluids and, possibly, a blood transfusion is necessary. Some pregnant patients could require an advanced airway to ensure that they are able to keep breathing. This could require additional hands, particularly with the extra weight of pregnancy. Ultimately, the best way to handle trauma and pregnancy is to prevent it from happening at all. This means exercising extra caution while behind the wheel of a car while pregnant. Always obey the road signs and speed limits. Extra caution is merited if the weather is poor. Make sure the vehicle has the utmost in safety features. If someone has been injured and lost a pregnancy in an auto accident, this could cause an extreme amount of emotional stress. This is where an experienced lawyer can offer some key advice with a consultation.



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