Falling down during pregnancy

Pay attention to the warning signs after a fall during pregnancy. Photo: Shutterstock

When we are expecting a baby, we avoid sudden movements and high-impact exercises to reduce the risk of bumps and falls during pregnancy. However, even if we take care of ourselves, accidents happen, so we must be attentive to the symptoms that could indicate that the fall, no matter how insignificant, can be risky for our little one.

Should I worry if I fall down during pregnancy?

Yvonne Butler Tobah, a Mayo Clinic physician, explains in her article, Fall during pregnancy, that falls are a common cause of minor injuries and, in some cases, can be harmful to the mother-to-be and her baby.

You have to take things calmly, be attentive to warning symptoms and call your gynecologist if you have any questions. Maybe it is nothing but the shock, as the human body is designed to protect the baby during pregnancy.

“The walls of the uterus are thick, strong muscles that help protect your baby. The amniotic fluid also works as a protection. During the first weeks of pregnancy, the uterus is located behind the pelvic bone. Minor falls during early pregnancy are not usually a cause for concern”.

“However, falls in the late second and early third trimesters could be harmful for both you and your baby, especially if there is direct trauma to the abdomen”, Butler explains in her text.

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Signs of danger after a fall during pregnancy

Dr. Mercedes Álvarez Goris (Gynecologist Lucina), a specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics, explains the symptoms to which we must pay attention after a fall, as they are indicative that something is not right.

Contractions
Your tummy gets hard
Pain in the belly
If you suddenly don’t notice the baby’s movements. Especially in the second half of pregnancy if you don’t feel your baby for more than an hour.
Liquid discharge. Your water could have broken if you notice that abundant liquid comes out.
Vaginal bleeding

If you have any of these symptoms, seek urgent aid. If you do not perceive any change, but you have doubts, make an appointment with your doctor for a complete check-up and calm down.

Main reasons for falls during pregnancy

Throughout the pregnancy we must be cautious, but at the end we must be especially careful. For example:

When going up and down stairs, hold on to railings or ask someone for support
Put a non-slip mat in the shower
Avoid wearing heels
Stand up slowly to avoid dizziness
Try to walk safely, avoiding dangerous, uneven, inclined or slippery surfaces

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Do not forget that your body axis of balance changes during this period.

“You increase your size, your spine curves, the belly grows and starts to pull you forward. In this period you are more prone to sudden falls and bumps. That is why, especially in the third trimester, it is recommended not to make movements that require a lot of balance or a lot of motor agility”, indicates the gynecologist Mercedes Álvarez.

Take it easy, you do not need to add extra stress. A visit to your doctor to rule out any danger will help you to be calmer.

Translated by: Ligia M. Oliver Manrique de Lara