Trauma in Pregnancy Flashcards
Largest group injured
Pregnant teens
Most common trauma
Blunt - MVA
Second most common trauma
Falls
Third most common trauma
Domestic violence
Most common cause of maternal death
Head injury
Most common cause of fetal death
Maternal shock
Signs of placental abruption
Firm abdomen
Often accompanied by vaginal bleeding but not always
Bleeding is usually dark
Uterus is protected by what for the first 12 weeks
Bony pelvis
What can mask the true hematologic status?
Increased blood volume
Why does the pregnant pt have physiologic anemia?
Plasma volume grows but red blood cell mass grows less leading to physiologic anemia
Tx of pregnant trauma patient
Always stabilize mother
O2 and 2 large bore IVs
Left lateral tilt
When should c-section be performed?
Not less than 24 weeks
24-35 c-section will favorably affect both
After 32 weeks if CPR ineffective and mother needs it, c-sec immediately
