A car accident is always a terrifying experience that can result in serious injuries and psychological trauma. However, when you are a pregnant woman involved in a crash, your fears are that much greater. Not only do you have to worry about your own well-being, but there is also your unborn baby to consider. If you are pregnant and get into a car accident, just as with any other person involved in a crash on the road, there are certain steps to take immediately. When you seek medical treatment immediately after a car accident and continue to seek followup care, you and your baby can have a better outcome.
Unique Risks for Pregnant Women
There is a heightened risk of complications after a pregnant woman has been involved in a road accident. As a result, it’s crucial to see your primary care doctor and OB/GYN for close observation. You may require specialized treatment tailored toward your needs as a pregnant woman. While you may also need physical therapy as part of your ongoing treatment, not all types of traditional physical therapy are appropriate for pregnant women.
Car accidents always pose a set of unique risks for pregnant women. Some of the most serious include the following:
- Internal bleeding
- Miscarriage
- Pre-term labor
- Hemorrhaging
- Birth defects
- High-risk pregnancy
If the crash leads to a high-risk pregnancy, it can carry a number of complications that can occur before, during, or even after childbirth. Additionally, those complications can affect not only the mother but the child as well.
There are additional risks pregnant women involved in car accidents face: stress and mental anguish. Experiencing emotional duress is a good reason to seek assistance from an experienced personal injury attorney.
Steps to Take Immediately After an Accident
There are certain steps you must take immediately after a car accident if you are pregnant. Call 911 to get police and an ambulance with medical personnel at the scene. You should always seek medical attention even if you feel as though you’re fine. If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediate medical attention is crucial:
- Pain in your stomach or pelvis
- Vaginal bleeding
- Loss of consciousness
- Fluid leaking from your vagina or if you feel the umbilical cord bulging in your vagina
If you are experiencing the umbilical cord bulging up in your vagina, you should immediately get on your knees and lower your head so that your bottom is higher. This decreases the pressure on the umbilical cord.
Get Medical Attention After an Accident
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after a car accident:
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Chills or fever
- Pain in your abdomen or shoulders
- Fluid leaking from the vagina or an increase in vaginal discharge
- Swelling in the face or fingers
- Severe, constant headaches
- Vomiting not associated with morning sickness
- A noticeable change in the strength or frequency of your baby’s movements
- Faintness or dizziness
- Painful or urgent urination
What is a High-Risk Pregnancy?
A high-risk pregnancy is a pregnancy that involves any type of injury to you or your unborn child. Essentially, it is a pregnancy that is at a greater risk for complications to your health and that of your baby. Car accidents can significantly increase a pregnant woman’s chances of having a pregnancy that is considered high risk. Even if the accident is seemingly minor, it can still result in higher risks to both you and your baby. As a result, you must be closely monitored by your doctor in the event that any problems might occur.
Risks to the Baby
A fetus can suffer a severe injury even when no actual physical contact was made with it. The sudden stopping motion that is common during a car accident can result in an injury known as contra-coup. This is a type of shock injury that can occur as a result of a sudden blow to the body from the opposite end of where the blow actually occurred. It can lead to a rupture or disorganization.
If you and your unborn baby were put at risk in a car accident that was no fault of your own and you are in the Savannah, Georgia area, contact Scot Kraeuter Personal Injury Law at your earliest convenience (912) 209-6513.