Preventing Injuries to Your Abdomen During Pregnancy

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Preventing Injuries to Your Abdomen During Pregnancy

By Angela Sawinski, edHelperBaby

Preventing Injuries to Your Abdomen During Pregnancy

An accidental fall is one way you can injure your abdomen (stomach) during pregnancy. You can do many things to prevent falls and accidents while you are pregnant:

Wear comfortable shoes with flat or short heels, and avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.
Use handrails when going up and down the stairs.
Always stand up slowly. (If you stand up too quickly, blood could pool in your legs and feet, causing you to feel faint.)
Sit down on a chair or stool while taking a shower.
Lift no more than 15 pounds during the last half of your pregnancy. Remember that this limit includes your other children if you have them.

       If you fall, notify your doctor or go to the hospital right away.

       What if I'm in a car accident?

       If you are in a car crash during your pregnancy, your baby could be injured. There are steps you can take to help prevent injuries from crashes.

Wear your seat belt. Some women worry that wearing a seatbelt will bruise their wombs (uterus) or hurt their babies. This is not true. Wearing your seatbelt is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your baby.
Wear both lap and shoulder belts. The lap belt should go under your tummy. The shoulder belt should go between your breasts and to the side of your belly. Both belts should be snug, but not too tight. If your car has only a lap belt, be sure to use it. If your car has an airbag, you must still wear a seatbelt.

Here are some things to remember if you travel by car:

If you are going to travel far from home, talk with your doctor first. Take a copy of your medical records with you.
If you are in a car accident, go to the hospital or call your doctor's office right away.

What if I am hit in the belly?

Pregnant women can be hit in the belly by running into doors, cabinets and counters, or they may even be accidentally hit in the belly by their small children. Women who are in abusive relationships are more likely to suffer physical abuse from their partner when they are pregnant. Here are some things to remember:

Watch out for open doors and cabinets.
Avoid walking on floors that have just been cleaned or waxed.
Be very careful when walking on ice, snow, or other wet surfaces. Consider wearing tennis shoes instead of shoes with leather soles.
If you are in an abusive relationship, get help. Talk with your doctor, your religious advisor, or a counselor right away. Most cities have shelters and other services for abused women. Memorize the telephone number of a 24-hour hot line.

When should I see my doctor or go to the hospital?

If you have been injured, go to an emergency room or see your doctor right away. It is unlikely that a small bump to the belly will hurt the baby. The baby is protected by your body and the womb. Sometimes the womb can be damaged and that is why it is best to check with your doctor. Here are some things that may happen at the hospital, depending on your injury:

You may be examined to make sure that you and the baby are okay.
You may be hooked up to a machine to monitor the baby's heart rate and your contractions.
You may be asked to give a blood sample.
You may be asked to have an x-ray to check for broken bones. The amount of radiation in most x-rays is small and not dangerous to your baby.
You may need to stay in the hospital anywhere from a few hours to overnight. This is done to make sure that the baby is healthy since some of the injuries might not show up at the time of the injury.
You may be asked to talk with a social worker if you are a victim of abuse.

When should I call my doctor if I have problems after I leave the hospital?

Call your doctor or the labor and delivery area of your hospital right away if you have any of the following problems:

Vaginal bleeding
Labor pains (contractions)
Severe abdominal (stomach) pain
Leaking of fluid from the vagina
Less movement of the baby
Shortness of breath or dizziness

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