Few life events are more exciting than having a new baby. During the second trimester of your pregnancy, though, your car accident risk may increase by as much as 42%. If you have a collision during this time, your first concern is likely to be the well-being of your unborn child.
Even if you feel fine after a car accident, it is critical to go to the emergency room for a full medical evaluation. It is important to know whether your unborn baby has suffered a serious and potentially life-threatening injury. Here are three common injuries.
1. Fetal head trauma
Your unborn child’s head is the largest part of his or her body. Consequently, during a car accident, your baby’s head is more likely to sustain trauma. Fetal head trauma may occur in a couple of ways. First, your child’s head may collide with a fixed object inside your vehicle. Second, your unborn child may suffer a head injury due to the rapid deceleration that is common in many types of car accidents.
2. Premature birth
The stress of a car accident may cause you to go into labor prematurely. Your child’s odds of surviving premature birth depend on several factors, including how far along your pregnancy is. Nevertheless, because hospitals have a variety of ways to treat premature babies, you should not ignore the warning signs of early labor.
3. Birth defects
A hidden fetal injury may interrupt your unborn child’s growth. Even if you carry your baby to term, the child may have certain birth defects. Your doctor is likely to recommend amniotic and other tests to determine if your unborn baby is vulnerable to accident-related birth defects.
Because your unborn child has the potential to suffer catastrophic injuries in a car accident, your trip to the emergency room may only be the first step. Ultimately, consulting with your obstetrician-gynecologist or another medical specialist may ensure you have a normal pregnancy and healthy birth after your car accident.
