Pregnant Trauma Patients
Pregnant trauma patients require special consideration because of the
anatomic and physiologic changes that occur in pregnancy and the fact that 2
patients are being treated (mother and fetus). In general, the best treatment
for the fetus is the provision of optimal resuscitation of the mother.
· In late pregnancy, displace the uterus to the left (e.g. by elevating the
right hip with a towel or pillow) to avoid IVC compression and hypotension
· Consider the need for anti-D therapy for Rh-negative patients
· Detect foetal heart sounds using auscultation or doppler
· A obstetrician should be consulted early and asked to attend the patients and
provide CTG monitoring when appropriate