Being pregnant comes with a host of worries and concerns. When a pregnant woman gets into a car accident, there may be additional cause for concern. There are a few things that a woman who is pregnant should know if she is involved in a car accident.
The first thing she should know is that she needs medical care. This is true even if she thinks she made it out of the accident unscathed. While the uterus does offer some protection for the baby, there are several things that can occur that might lead to a medical issue.
The second thing the woman should know is that severe jolts, such as those that are possible in a car accident, can lead to a placental abruption. This occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus. There might not be any symptoms if this occurs, but it is still a serious condition. In some cases, women with a placental abruption might miscarry, hemorrhage or give birth to a premature baby.
If a pregnant woman is in a car accident, she has to keep an eye out for certain things even after she gets home following getting medical care. She should watch for vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, leaking fluid or a decrease in the baby’s movements. All of these can point to serious complications in the pregnancy.
If a pregnant woman in California is injured or if her unborn baby is harmed, she might choose to seek compensation. This can help to alleviate the financial pressure that might come as a result of medical bills and other expenses.
Source: BabyCenter, “What should I do if I’m in a car accident while I’m pregnant?,” Wendy Wilcox, accessed March. 27, 2015