Trauma and pregnancy

Key points

• The incidence of trauma during pregnancy is 6-8% (severe forms of trauma: 3-6%).

• Of pregnant women who need hospitalization due to trauma, 60% progress to delivery.

• Pregnant women are 1.6 times more likely to die in a trauma situation.

• The anatomical and physiological alterations of pregnancy interfere with the repercussions and the approach to trauma.

• Domestic violence represents the most common trauma mechanism for pregnant women and triggers several obstetric complications. Ideally, it should be identified during antenatal care.

• The diagnosis of placental abruption in car accidents deserves special attention.

• Ultrasound in the trauma room enables action in trauma care, and as a quick mechanism, the necessary information about the fetus and pregnancy (fetal FAST).

• Most imaging exams required for good trauma care do not represent harm to the pregnancy.

• Antenatal care plays an important role in preventing trauma during pregnancy.

• The joint action of the trauma surgeon and the obstetrician is recommended in the care of traumatized pregnant women, especially in severe cases and in pregnant women over 20-24 weeks.

The National Specialized Commission on High-Risk Pregnancy of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (Febrasgo) and the Brazilian Society of Integrated Trauma Care (SBAIT) endorse this document. Content production is based on scientific evidence on the proposed theme and the results presented contribute to clinical practice.

Publication History

Article published online:
06 December 2023

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