Patient education: Preventing injuries during pregnancy (The Basics)

What kinds of injuries can cause problems during pregnancy? — Any injury to your belly can cause problems during pregnancy. Doctors use the term "abdominal trauma" for this type of injury. It can happen from:

●Car accidents

●Falls

●Assault

Injury to the belly can harm a developing fetus (figure 1). This is more likely if the injury happens after about 12 weeks of pregnancy. Before this, your uterus is still lower down and protected by your pelvic bones.

Problems that can happen include:

●Pregnancy loss (miscarriage)

●Placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterus)

●A tear in the uterus

●The water breaking

●Direct injury to the baby

●Going into labor early

There are things you can do to lower your risk of injury during pregnancy.

How can I stay safe when driving or riding in a car? — To lower your risk of injuring your belly in a car accident:

●Wear your seat belt correctly (figure 2) – Always wear your seat belt when you are driving or riding in a car. It should be snug with no extra slack. The shoulder belt should go over your shoulder, away from your neck. It should run across your chest between your breasts. The lap belt should go below your belly, across your hips.

●Adjust your seat and steering wheel (figure 3) – Sit comfortably with your back straight. Keep as much space as possible between your belly and the steering wheel. Make sure that you can reach the steering wheel and pedals. If you can adjust your steering wheel, angle it slightly up toward your chest. If it is hard for you to fit in the driver's seat, have someone else drive when possible.

●Keep your airbags turned on – Most cars come with an airbag system. These are meant to protect the driver and passengers if there is an accident. Do not turn off your airbags. Along with seat belts, they can protect both you and your baby if you are in an accident.

How can I prevent other injuries to my belly? — During pregnancy, avoid activities and sports in which you could easily fall, fall hard, or be hit in the belly.

You can also do things to lower your risk of falling at home. For example, remove clutter you could trip on, and avoid climbing on things.

What if I do not feel safe at home? — In some cases, injury to the belly happens because of assault or abuse. If you are worried about your partner or someone else hurting you, try to get help. Your doctor or nurse can help you figure out a safety plan and connect you with support.

If you have a safe way to get information online or by phone, other resources include:

●National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org

●National Domestic Violence Hotline: www.thehotline.org or 1-800-799-7233

●Futures Without Violence: www.futureswithoutviolence.org

What should I do if I get hurt? — If you are seriously injured or in a bad accident, call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1). It's important to get help as soon as possible.

If you have a minor injury to your belly, call your doctor, nurse, or midwife. They can tell you if you should be seen. Call right away if you:

●Have belly pain

●Are bleeding from your vagina

●Have fluid leaking from your vagina

●Think that you are having contractions

●Do not feel your baby moving as much as usual

●Other symptoms that worry you

Your doctor or the hospital staff will do an exam to check your injuries. They will also do tests to check the baby's health. Then, they will decide how best to treat you and your baby. This will depend on your injuries and how far along you are in pregnancy.

More on this topic

Patient education: Prenatal care (The Basics)
Patient education: Activity during pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Placental abruption (The Basics)
Patient education: Pregnancy loss (The Basics)
Patient education: Preterm labor (The Basics)
Patient education: Cesarean birth (The Basics)

Patient education: Pregnancy loss (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Preterm labor (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: C-section (cesarean delivery) (Beyond the Basics)