Abstract

Trauma in pregnancy remains one of the major contributors to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Potential complications include maternal injury or death, shock, internal hemorrhage, intrauterine fetal demise, direct fetal injury, abruptio placentae, and uterine rupture. Because the anatomic and physiologic alterations of pregnancy can alter the gravid woman’s response to injury, an understanding of these changes is critical when approaching trauma management.

Key words: Pregnancy, physiologic changes, trauma, morbidity