Falling is the one thing pregnant women must be most cautious of and are pretty much scared of. But an accidental fall during pregnancy, which can be both alarming and dangerous is not uncommon.
The studies in this field have shown that around 27% of women misstep at least once during their pregnancy. 10% of women fall more than once during their pregnancy period. Another annoying fact is that 29% of trauma in pregnancy are caused due to falling down or slipping.
There are several misinterpretations about falling during pregnancy. Some of the false notions that you should ignore are:
Some of the reasons that increase the chances of falling during pregnancy are:
If you are not badly hurt yourself due to the fall, the chances are less for your baby to get hurt. This is because he is well protected with:
Hence, for small accidents involving slip and falls the baby may not even feel anything at all. But, if the injury is severe enough to seriously hurt you, then the baby can also get affected directly or indirectly.
How serious is the impact of falling down during pregnancy is determined by mainly three factors:
In early pregnancy, the uterus is tucked in the pelvis and is well protected by the pelvic bones. So during the first trimester falling down has less impact on the baby or placenta. If you do have an accident wherein you have slipped, just lie down and relax for some time. But if you are still anxious and develop some abdominal or back pain then visit your doctor. The reassurance from your doctor can make you feel less anxious.
Once you get into your second trimester, the uterus is not tucked in the pelvic bone. But all the other covers of protection are still there to shield the baby from harm.
Relatively some complications can arise when you fall during the second trimester of pregnancy, especially if you fall on your stomach. Seek medical attention if:
Once you develop some of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention. Your doctor will examine you and monitor your baby to make sure all is well.
As the pregnancy progresses, the chances of the fall harming the mother and baby also increases. Moreover, the women are more prone to fall as the fatigue and clumsiness increases towards the end of pregnancy.
During your last trimester, you may not be able to avoid the danger due to a fall as easily as your first trimester. If the fall is severe enough to generate a problem, the damage will occur most probably to the placenta. A trauma to the abdomen increases the chances of pulling the placenta away from the uterine wall. The warning signs includes:
Premature labor is the usually associated with the fall that occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Even if you don’t develop the above symptoms go ahead and consult your practitioner. Your doctor will definitely go for an ultrasound to make sure the safety of you and baby.
Though not completely, we can stay away from accidents if proper precautions are taken.
Have a safe pregnancy.
Check for any fluid leaks or bleeding. If all is well, check for baby’s kick count for the next hour. If everything seems fine, you are safe; else consult a doctor immediately.
It may not. The baby is well cushioned in the womb with amniotic fluid. However, falling on your back can hurt your spine and affect your balance when you walk next.
First, ask her if they can be lifted. Once she agrees, hold them by both hands and lift them up with some support to their back as well. Let her relax and analyze for any fluid leaks or bleeds. Take her to her doctor if needed.
It can, depending on your fall. If you had a bad fall directly on your stomach, it can increase the chances of an abortion. In most cases, your baby will be safe as the baby is still very tiny.
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