About this topic
A traumatic injury is serious. It calls for special doctors to care for the patient. This helps chances of healing. You may also hear this kind of injury called trauma. This kind of injury is even more serious when you are pregnant. Both you and your baby can be hurt. ‚
The injury from trauma may be minor, like cuts or bruises. Other times, it is more severe. A patient may have a brain injury, broken bones, or harm to organs inside the body. When you are pregnant, trauma can cause you to need to deliver your baby early. The patient may need to have surgery right away. Trauma can lead to wounds, deep cuts, and bleeding. A patient may end up with a disability or a deformity after a traumatic injury. Trauma can lead to shock. This can lead to confusion, disoriented feelings and behaviors, and long-term damage. ‚
How long it takes for a person to heal from a traumatic injury may vary from person to person. How the baby will do also depends on these same things. They are based on how: ‚
- Serious the injury and disability
- Quickly treatment is given
- The patient responds to treatment
- Far along the pregnancy is
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Get lots of rest. You may have a problem sleeping or changes in sleep patterns. Be sure to take time to rest even if you cannot sleep. Take naps during the day.
- You may still have pain, even after fully healing. Ask the doctor about how to control the pain.
- You may have emotional problems or low mood. This could be caused by the trauma. The doctor may suggest counseling or other therapies.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your injuries. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be on bedrest.
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- If you delivered your baby, follow your doctors orders after delivery.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your condition needs close monitoring.
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Your doctor may restrict you to bedrest to avoid more problems.
- The pain after surgery may cause you to stay in bed, feel tired, and not be able to do your usual activities.
- Your lifestyle may be different after a traumatic injury. You may have to limit or change activities. This is based on how bad the injury was.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat a well-balanced diet. Eat regularly, even if you are not hungry. It is important that you keep a strong and healthy body. Be sure to ask your dietitian about your diet plan.
- Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and smoking.
- Avoid caffeine or other stimulants.
What problems could happen?
- Premature birth
- Infection
- Separation of placenta from the womb (placental abruption)
- Your baby may not be well
- Tearing of the womb (uterine rupture)
- Risk for C-section
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
There are no specific ways to prevent general trauma. But, you can help prevent traumatic events by: ‚
- Always wear a seat belt. Drive safely. Obey speed limits. Do not drink and drive.
- Stay active and work out to keep your muscles strong and flexible.
- Follow special precautions when in high risk situations, like:
- Handling firearm or guns
- Handling tools that can cause injury
- Avoid activities that may cause falls
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Sudden shortness of breath or a sudden onset of chest pain could be a sign that a blood clot has traveled to your lungs. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the wound; wound opens up.
- Bleeding or leaking of fluid from the vagina
- Vaginal pain
- Chest pain
- Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have shortness of breath, chest pain, bleeding or leaking of fluid from my vagina, or vaginal pain.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚