Improving Your Health

« Back to Home

Did You Fall While Pregnant? What You Should Know

Posted on

Pregnancy changes a lot of things in your life, including your body and the way that you walk. Some people find it difficult to keep their balance. One study reported that close to 30 percent of pregnant woman fall at some point while pregnant. While your body has a few safeguards in place to protect you and your body from injury, it is important that you are familiar with the potential complications, when you should see a physician, and fall prevention measures.

Potential Complications

If you suffer from a light fall, it is unlikely that your uterus will suffer any significant trauma. However, if you suffer from a hard fall or fall the wrong way, you may have some complications. Some possible complications that you may suffer include broken bones, placental abruption, fetal skull injury, and mental confusion.

When to Seek Medical Attention

More often than not, a minor fall will not result in any health-related issues for you or your baby. However, it is important to keep an eye out for certain symptoms that will alert you that you need to contact your doctor. For instance, if you fall and suffer a direct blow to your belly and/or are experiencing severe pain, particularly in the stomach, pelvis, or uterus, you should contact your doctor. If you begin to experience vaginal bleeding or start to leak amniotic fluid, get to the emergency room immediately. The same is true if you notice a lack in baby movement or any other symptoms of concern.

Fall Prevention Measures

While falls cannot always be prevented, it is possible to take some actionable steps to hopefully prevent falls in the future and keep yourself as upright as possible. For instance, keep an eye out for any liquids on the floor that you could slip on and always wear shoes that have a solid grip on the bottom. Since high heels tend to make you feel off-balance already, try to avoid them while pregnant and wear flats instead. When going up or down stairs, make sure to hold onto the handrails. Always be aware of your surroundings, particularly those that could cause you to trip and fall, such as potholes, cracks in the sidewalk, pets running around, etc.

In the event that you do suffer a fall, don't hesitate to contact your obgyn to schedule a checkup if you are concerned. If you suffer a significant fall and are experiencing severe pain, go straight to the emergency room to be checked out.


Share