Numbers
- Affects 5-7% of all pregnancies
- Trauma is the leading cause of nonobstetric maternal mortality.
- Fetal loss rates
- 1-5% in minor injuries
- the major cause of fetal loss as it is more fq than life threatening trauma
- 40-50% in life-threatening trauma
Management
- Stabilization of the mother involves resuscitation used with any trauma patient,
- >20 weeks pregnant placed pt in the 30° left lateral decubitus position to prevent systemic hypotension caused by compression of the IVC by the gravid uterus.
- Blood products should be administered to maintain a hematocrit level higher than 30% for optimal fetal oxygenation.
- After the patient has been stabilized, ultrasound should be performed to determine the gestational age of the fetus and whether a fetal heart rate is present.
- Fetus > 24-26 weeks of gestational age, continuous external fetal monitoring (cardiotocography; CTG) should be used as it would be viable outside the uterus and should be delivered if there is evidence of fetal distress.
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