Falling during pregnancy
Categories: Pregnancy & birth, Health & safety, Mommy musts, Resources
When you're pregnant, chances are we do everything in your power to take the best care of your unborn little one as possibly. Many of us (try to) give up our bad habits and assume good ones, avoiding things and being cautious just in case. Things that seemed easy before we were pregnant get harder, and require us to pay more attention, which we generally give. And, I guess, some things we just take for granted. Like WALKING.
Yesterday I fell. Big time. I was looking in front of me rather than at the ground below and I was on my knees before I even knew I was falling. It hurt, a lot, and still does. My knees are bruised and I am pretty sure I sprained my wrist, but thankfully the rest of me is ok. Question is, how do I really know? Pregnant women, are prone to falls. Pregnant women tend to have less balance (after the fourth month) so we are cautioned to take things slower. We're also cautioned to wear flat shoes--not only because they're more comfortable than heels, but because it's easier to maintain what sense of balance we have without leverage.
That's all great advice, but what to do when you've already fallen? Well, if you have any control over the fall, make sure you avoid your belly. Also, take comfort in knowing that your womb is designed to keep your baby as safe as possible, so more likely that not, if you fall you won't have harmed your little one. Make sure everything feels "normal"--whatever that is to you--in terms of how you feel and what is going on inside there with your baby. Fetal kicks should be the same, etc. Of course check for bleeding. And, honestly, if you are even the least bit freaked out, just call the OB or go in for an appointment. Research on the web turns up little other advice other than to contact your doctor if you feel even the least bit out of sorts or in pain. Honestly, an extra trip to the doctor is well worth it, even if just for piece of mind.
Pregnancy silhouette by mahalie.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jenn 8-02-2008 @ 4:28PM
Ugh. During the very late stages of my last pregnancy I fell down the stairs at a friends place and landed on my tail bone. I very quickly realized that something was wrong - with me, not the baby. With all the extra pregnancy weight I had landed hard enough to break my coccyx. I sat on a doughnut for months, and I still can't sit for long periods of time without a whole lot of hurt.
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Jan Bay 8-02-2008 @ 6:51PM
I, too, learned the hard way that damp concrete was not my friend when I was pregnant. It was not raining or damp out, so when I flew out the door, I was completely unaware. Apparently, humidity had made the carport "sweat" Why don't they put texture on ALL cement?
I bit my tongue, broke my tailbone, but was lucky enough to not have had any more serious injuries to myself or the baby. Falling is bad enough when you are not pregnant, but when you're worried about yourself and an unborn child it's even worse. It was scary and unnerving not to mention that my tailbone still hurts! I don't think that it's ever healed properly.
The only thing that would be worse would be to fall with an infant in your arms. At least when they are inside you they have some protection.
I'm really sorry about your fall, Jennifer, and am glad you and the little one are ok.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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Sabrina 8-02-2008 @ 7:39PM
When I was pregnant and yardsaling for baby stuff there was another pregnant mom there, in flipflops and long trippable jeans. She started walking down the driveway and tripped (on the jeans, of course) and landed directly on her belly. She BOUNCED off the ground and rolled a little bit. There were about 5 people there and I was the only one who noticed her fall. I went running over to see if she was ok. Man, it scared the heck out of me, and no doubt out of her. What I couldn't believe was that everyone just turned away and "didn't see" any of it. Disgusting.
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David Robinson 8-03-2008 @ 2:56AM
A good rule of thumb is "If there is no bleeding, then the baby will be fine, protected by the bag of fluid around her/him."
David Robinson
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Michelle 8-04-2008 @ 9:04AM
David, what about internal bleeding? Or blood passing between baby and Mom through the placenta especially in RH negative instances?
You are better off calling your OB.
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AJ 8-04-2008 @ 12:51PM
warning....gross content ahead! When I was about 5 months pregnant, I was still having morning sickness. One day, I had just eaten lunch and was in my living room, when I felt that 'oh, no...here it comes!' feeling. I got up and was practically running to the bathroom so I could throw up in the toilet, but, just as I got to the bathroom door, I totally lost it all over the floor. As I said, I was moving along rather quickly and I couldn't stop in time and stepped all in the mess I'd made and 'boom!' landed right on my behind. So, there I was sprawled out on the floor covered in you know what. I didn't feel too injured, but once I got up and cleaned myself off, I went in to my doctor's office for a quick check. Everything was fine, but it was a quite scary (not to mention embarrassing) day.
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