Car Accidents Can Cause Preterm Labor in Pregnant Women

Car accidents can be very traumatic for people. For pregnant women, car accidents can be even more traumatic because of the potential danger to them or their baby’s health. Pregnant women in car accidents should take precautions in the days following the accident. Miscarriages, pre-term labor, and placental abruption are potential risks for pregnant women who have been in car accidents. Make sure you see medical professionals after your accident to check up on your baby. Symptoms that should be alarming and cause you to seek professional assistance are swelling in the face or hands, increased vaginal discharge, loss of consciousness, vaginal bleeding, pain in the abdomen, dizziness, vomiting, or not feeling the baby moving. A pregnant woman who is in a car accident is likely to be considered by professionals high-risk pregnancies. Even if there are no apparent physical injuries, a sudden and severe stopping motion can be very harmful to a fetus.

What is Pre-term Labor?

Pre-term labor is when a pregnant woman goes into labor before the 37th week of her pregnancy. The closer to the 37th week the better chances of having a healthy baby. If the baby is born around the 32nd week, there are likely to be complications for the baby. Breathing, eating, and staying warm can be difficult for the baby, and proper treatment is required. If the baby is born closer to the 26th week, it is a life-or-death situation in terms of the treatment of the baby.

What is Placenta Abruption?

Placenta abruption is another serious health risk as a result of being in a car accident for pregnant women. Normally in pregnancy, there is a placenta in the inner walls of the woman’s uterus, and is there until childbirth. Placenta abruption is when the placenta is removed or separated from the fetus. The placenta is considered to be essential for a baby and its needs to be healthy during and after pregnancy. If a fetus is without its placenta for any period of time there are risks. Death, Pre-term labor and birth, low-birth weight, and huge blood loss for the baby are common risks when a fetus and its placenta are separated. Placenta abruption symptoms are similar to pre-term labor symptoms but if a pregnant woman is in an accident it is strongly recommended to see a specialist right away.

What Are Some Pregnancy-Related Car Accident Statistics?

There are five times as many fetal deaths for a pregnant woman in car accidents then there are infant deaths in car accidents. An average of 2.3 percent of woman report having physical injury or pain during their pregnancy due to being in a car accident. Injuries from car accidents are the leading cause of maternal and fetal injury, death, and hospitalization. On average one fetus or more dies every day due to car accident-related accidents. There are over 4,000 hospital visits from pregnant women involved in an accident every year. If you are up to 28 weeks pregnant and are in a car going 15 mph that crashes or is hit in the front part of the car the chances of fetal injury or death is 26 percent when wearing a seatbelt. The risk goes up to 70 percent when not wearing a seatbelt. Pregnant women traveling in cars has dramatically increased from the 1960s to the present day.

Should a Pregnant Woman Wear a Seat Belt?

It is recommended by professionals that pregnant women wear the “lap seatbelt” and a shoulder harness for their fetus’ safety. When in a car accident, whether it is serious or minor, it is essential to seek help from professionals. Stopping short is even a cause to seek help. Contact our Houston motor vehicle accident lawyer today.