Belly Trauma during Pregnancy

By Beth M. Iovinelli, RN, BSN, IBCLC

Q: What happens if I fall during pregnancy or receive a blunt force trauma (for example, my two-year-old running into my belly)? Are there different considerations during each trimester?

A: As careful as we try to be during pregnancy, occassionally accidents do happen.
Frequent falling can sometimes be a result of plain old clumsiness, but most times it is related to your changing center of gravity. As your belly and breasts grow, it can become increasingly difficult to handle situations that require balance.
Another factor that can cause you to be less than graceful is the pregnancy hormone relaxin. Relaxin loosens joints and connective tissue—allowing for the extra room that Junior is taking up. This loosening of the joints can also lead to a feeling of unsteadiness.
But don't worry, your baby is well protected by your abdominal muscles; fat, thick uterine wall; and amniotic fluid, which surrounds the baby.
If you've fallen or received a blow to your belly, it's a good idea to call and check in with your doctor right away—just to be safe. And be sure to keep the following warning signs in mind:

vaginal bleeding
dizziness or feeling faint
shortness of breath
uterine contractions
decreased fetal movement
fluid leaking from the vagina

Just to make sure that everything is OK, you doctor may order an ultrasound after speaking with you. If you are in your second or third trimester, and you're feeling cramping or contractions after receiving a blow to the belly, your doctor will most likely monitor you and your baby by EFM (external fetal monitoring) to make sure you're not going into labor prematurely and to asses the baby's well-being.
As your pregnancy progresses, be mindful of your wobbly status and take care when exercising or playing with your busy toddler! Be careful, know the warning signs, and don't hesitate to call your doctor with questions or concerns.

Beth M. Iovinelli, RN, BSN, IBCLC

Beth M. Iovinelli, RN, BSN, IBCLC, has worked as a maternal child health nurse in both labor and delivery and post partum since 1994. She has written for various newsletters and websites, taught thousands of parents, and trained nurses, doctors, and nutritionists. In 2004, she contributed to the Don't Panic Pregnancy book (Lyons Press) written by Emmy Award-winning producer Judy Morris. Iovinelli works as a maternal child health educator and lactation consultant at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut, and is currently being featured in the Newborn Channel's latest breastfeeding program, Breast is Best, which is broadcast in more than 1,000 hospitals nationwide.

All articles by Beth M. Iovinelli, RN, BSN, IBCLC