Avoid damage to the enlarged uterus. The pregnant trauma patient should be approached in the same way as the non-pregnant patient. The best way to treat the second trauma victim, the fetus, is to treat the mother. Several special obstetric problems can occur to both mother and fetus. The assessment and monitoring of these should be performed early by an obstetrician.
Problems can arise very quickly with possible lethal consequences for both mother and fetus.
Only a standardized, careful but rapid approach according to the principles of this chapter can reduce morbidity and mortality in pregnant trauma patients.