How To Best Treat Abdominal Trauma During Pregnancy

Minor Trauma During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body undergoes some very significant changes. Balance can become an issue very quickly, and if there are toddlers and young children already in the picture, then the potential for abdominal trauma during pregnancy increases. It's not that little ones intend to hurt, but it isn't uncommon for a small child to fall on his mom's belly, or kick during a fit of temper while he's being held. Any type of minor trauma can be nothing or can evolve into a rather large issue. If you are inadvertently banged in the belly and have a minor trauma, call your doctor immediately. Even small traumas can have large implications.

Generally, if there is a minor trauma when the mom is less than 20 weeks gestation, there is no need for specific intervention or monitoring. Between 20-24 weeks, a woman who has had direct or indirect abdominal trauma should undergo at least four hours of monitoring using specific monitors to determine the safety of the baby.

Pregnancy Trauma Requires Emergency Medicine

Pregnancy trauma requiring emergency medicine must be dealt with in a hospital where the proper monitors and interventions can be used if necessary. If there has been a serious trauma where the mother is unconscious, the immediate need is to focus on the mother and resuscitate her as quickly as possible. The most common cause of fetal death is maternal shock or death. Instinctively, a woman's body will maintain its vital signs at the expense of the baby, meaning that shock may not become evident right away. In the case where the mother is more than five or six months gestation, she is placed on a tilt to the left - in some cases the uterus has to be held in that position, depending upon the severity of the injury.

In emergency treatment, the most important thing is to ensure there is an adequate supply of oxygen to the mother. Babies are extremely sensitive to oxygen deprivation and in a pregnant woman, oxygen reserves are already diminished. Depending upon the severity of the injury and trauma, tubes may be inserted - the object is to clear the airways and keep the mother breathing. Equally important in pregnancy trauma emergency medicine is circulation. Maintaining adequate maternal blood volume is the primary step in resuscitating an unborn baby. If the mother's blood pressure drops then it affects the blood flow to the uterus. Ruling out internal bleeding and determining the Rh factor of the woman are both necessary to ensure proper emergency treatment.

Abdominal Trauma During Pregnancy

Abdominal trauma during pregnancy can take on a variety of guises. Placental abruption is the most common cause of fetal death after maternal death. Although uterine rupture is rare and maternal death is unlikely in the event of a uterine rupture, the death of the baby is almost 100 percent guaranteed. If a woman is seriously injured in the pelvic region, perhaps through an automobile accident or physical abuse during the second or third trimester, the baby will likely sustain head injuries and possible brain injury. During the first trimester, serious injury is less likely. Motor vehicle accidents account for most cases of fetomaternal hemorrhage which is the loss of blood from the fetal to the maternal circulation.

Management of Trauma During Pregnancy

Management of trauma during pregnancy is dependent upon the severity of the trauma. If the trauma is minor, then monitoring the baby over a period of a few hours gives a good indication as to how things are within the womb. Blood pressure, pain levels, nausea, and physiological changes are all monitored and followed. If anything requires further treatment or management, the doctor will determine the course of treatment. If it is an emergency situation that requires surgery, the central focus becomes the balancing of the baby's health and well-being against the need for emergency treatment. It is a fine balance and requires skill and knowledgeable professionals to make the decisions. Once a woman has recovered from an abdominal trauma, it can be worthwhile to attend some workshops to learn how to protect herself and her baby in the event of accidents and traumas.