Maternal hypoxia equals fetal hypoxia, as poor oxygenation will lead to vasoconstrictive, and diminished blood flow to the fetus. Supplemental oxygen at a high flow, with a non-rebreather mask, should always be provided. The tone and motility of the stomach is decreased during pregnancy causing a prolonged gastric emptying. With this in mind, the pre-hospital care provider should assume that the pregnant trauma patient has a full stomach, and therefore take measures to decompress the stomach and prevent aspiration of the gastric contents. The best way to do this is to place a nasogastric or orogastic tube as needed.
Abdominal trauma can be difficult to assess in the pregnant patient.
The most obvious change in pregnancy is the anatomical transformation of the uterus. It rises out of the pelvic cavity at about 12 weeks gestation, and by term has reached the costal margin. As it enlarges, it becomes more vulnerable to blunt and penetrating trauma. Signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock can also indicate a uterine or placental injury. The main types of uterine injuries include uterine rupture and placental abruption.