Many factors make you more prone to bumps and falls during pregnancy. You have looser ligaments and joints, a changing center of gravity, and may be more tired than usual. Whether you get jostled by a rambunctious toddler, trip while carrying laundry up the stairs, or have another incident or accident, you may worry about the effects of hitting a pregnant belly.
Thankfully, everyday experiences like getting big hugs, bumping into people in a crowd, or getting jostled while traveling are usually nothing to worry about. But it’s important to understand the dangers of a traumatic injury that affects the abdominal area, such as a car accident or a severe fall.
Read on for answers to common questions about the effects of hitting a pregnant belly and what to do if you’re concerned.
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Effects of a Mild Impact on a Pregnant Belly
Mild, low-impact bumps are unlikely to harm a fetus. That’s because your body is designed with a natural cushion in and around the uterus to protect a developing fetus from everyday movements.
“Mother Nature provides a safe and protected environment for a fetus, which floats in amniotic fluid in the amniotic sac, which in turn is protected by the muscles of both the uterus and the abdomen,” says Owen Montgomery, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences. Your spine and rib cage form bony barriers that further protect your developing baby.
Some examples of incidents that pregnant parents often worry about but aren’t likely to harm a fetus include:
Hugs from a child
Pets jumping up
Bumping into tables or other objects
Light jostling during a car, train, or plane ride (but avoid roller coasters and other experiences that involve heavier jostling)
Effects of Abdominal Trauma on a Pregnant Belly
While your developing baby is safe from everyday bumps and movement, there is a limit to the protection your body provides. Moving heavy items, car accidents, serious falls, or physical abuse can cause trauma that could put your baby at risk.
“Gentle pushing on your belly as it gets bigger is fine,” says Michele Hakakha, MD, an OB-GYN in Beverly Hills and co-author of Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy. “Hard jabs, kicks, or punches can be dangerous, particularly as you get farther along in your pregnancy.”
High-impact abdominal trauma may put you at higher risk for complications, including:
Preterm delivery (birth before week 37)
Low birth weight infants (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces at birth)
Placental abruption (when the placenta pulls away from the uterus), which can cause pregnancy loss or stillbirth
When a Hit Isn’t an Accident
You and your baby have a right to feel safe and secure during pregnancy. If you are experiencing physical violence, or simply feel unsafe when you’re with your partner or other family members, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
How To Protect Your Pregnant Belly
Take extra precautions to keep your belly out of harm’s way and your baby safe and sound. Here are some things to remember:
Avoid slippery surfaces. Watch out for ice, snow, wet leaves, slick steps, and newly waxed or mopped floors.Wear sensible shoes. Ensure the shoes fit properly, offer adequate traction, and don’t have slick soles or high heels.Be careful exiting the bathtub or shower. Use one hand on a wall to steady yourself on wet tiles.Watch your step. Use handrails on staircases, and don’t rush.Wear a seatbelt properly. Place the lap portion of your seatbelt under your abdomen and the shoulder strap between your breasts and to the side of your belly.
When To Call Your Health Care Provider
Even with your baby’s built-in protection, let your health care provider know if you’ve fallen hard on your belly, if you’ve been in a car accident (even a fender bender), or if you’ve suffered a blow to your stomach from another adult. They may have you come in for some monitoring.
Seek immediate medical attention if your baby isn’t as active as before. Regular fetal kicks or movement (about 10 times over three hours) is normal when you’re in your second or third trimester.
Any vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, contractions, or cramping within 12 hours of a hit to the abdomen or other injury also warrant a call to your health care provider.
