Trauma in Pregnancy
| Description: | - All trauma is significant.- If the pregnant woman is found in cardiac arrest or develops cardiac/respiratory arrest en route, commence advanced life support and pre-alert the nearest ED with an obstetric unit.- Resuscitation of the woman may facilitate resuscitation of the fetus.- Due to the physiological changes in pregnancy, signs of shock may be slow to appear following trauma, hypotension being an extremely late indication of volume loss. Signs of hypovolaemia during pregnancy are likely to indicate a 35% (class III) blood loss and must be treated aggressively.- If sexual assault or domestic violence is suspected, consideration must be given to potential safeguarding issues and provision made to ensure safety is maintained. |
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| Date Update Posted Online: | September 7, 2017 |
| Book: | Reference Edition |
| Section Title: | Trauma in Pregnancy |
| Guidelines Print Date: | September 20, 2017 |
