Getting into a car accident is scary for anyone, but a pregnant woman may find herself even more panicked. The first thing on a pregnant woman’s mind after the initial collision is not the damage done to her vehicle. There is another, very fragile, life to consider.
There may not have been any physical damage done to the outside of the pregnant woman’s body, but an unborn child may experience distress from the rapid josling caused by the initial collision. Here are a few important things to remember if you are ever pregnant and in a car accident.
Immediate medical attention is essential
No matter the severity of the accident, a pregnant woman should always seek immediate medical attention. Even if you do not feel as though you were injured in any magnitude, there are still possible risks to your unborn child.
If a woman is past her first trimester in the pregnancy, then the child is no longer small enough to be protected by the mother’s pelvis. Insurance claims, lawyers, and accident reports are extremely important, but the safety of your child should always come first.
Heightened risks to consider after an accident
No matter whether or not the mother feels an impact to her abdomen, her unborn child may still have heightened risks to consider. Here is a simplified list of a few of the possible issues a pregnant woman could experience after an accident.
- Premature labor due to trauma
- Possible miscarriage
- Hemorrhaging (excessive internal bleeding)
- Birth defects
- Placental abruption (placenta separates from the womb)
Be aware of troubling symptoms
Immediately following an accident, you should always go see a medical professional, but there are also a few symptoms that may not show up until a few days later. Once you have received adequate treatment you may wish to speak to someone like Yegendorf Law Firm as you may be compensated for your injuries.
Immediate symptoms to watch for…
- Loss of consciousness
- Vaginal bleeding or fluid discharge
- Pain in the belly or pelvic area
Symptoms that could develop later…
- Dizziness
- Swelling in the fingers or face
- Headache, fever, or chills
- Pain in the shoulders
- Persistent vomiting or nausea
- Painful or frequent urination
Placental abruption can cause lasting issues
Normally, a woman’s placenta is firmly attached to the wall of the uterus. When placental abruption occurs, there is a separation between the two.
Since the placenta is known for delivering a range of nutritional benefits to the fetus, separation can cause a slew of issues. The separation can also cause severe bleeding, premature birth, low birth weight, and sometimes death.
It is a very serious concern and should be ruled out by your doctor as soon as possible following the incident. Neglecting even the most subtle of differences in a woman’s pregnancy after a car accident could result in some very serious consequences.