You’re pregnant, full of energy and enthusiasm for this new life growing inside you. But suddenly, you slip on the stairs and land on your bottom. You don’t have time to worry because you have many other things. But in the back of your mind, you know there is a risk that you might be falling into the abyss (of labor and delivery).
I Fell On Bottom While Pregnant
Falling on your bottom while pregnant could cause risks like placental abruption, especially during the second and the third trimester. Call your doctor and inform him of the nature of the fall so that they can advise you accordingly.
Is it dangerous to fall on your bum when pregnant?
In early pregnancy, there is no risk of miscarriage or complications to the fetus due to falling on your buttocks. The placenta has not yet formed fully, so the bleeding would occur if any damage was caused by falling. If you fall during the second half of your pregnancy, however, there is an increased risk of complications for you and your baby.
If you experience any of the following signs after a fall, contact your doctor for help:
- Abdominal or vaginal bleeding
- Leaking of the amniotic fluid
- Excruciating pain
- Reduction of fetal movement after the fall
Possible Complications of Falling During Pregnancy
The following are some of the possible complications of falling during pregnancy:
– Injury to Baby
If you fell on bottom while pregnant, there is a chance that your baby will be injured as well. In some cases, falling could cause trauma to your baby’s skull or spine, leading to brain damage or death. If you don’t catch yourself when you fall, there may also be an impact on your stomach or head which could cause injury to your unborn child and yourself.
– Amniotic Sac Rupture
When pregnant, an amniotic sac surrounds your baby in the uterus (womb). This sac protects your baby from infection and keeps him well-hydrated while he grows inside you. If you fall hard enough to break this sac, amnionitis — an infection of the amniotic sac — may occur. This condition could cause premature labor and delivery or even stillbirth (the death of an unborn baby).
– Premature Birth
Falling during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. When you fall, the sudden jolt can cause your baby’s umbilical cord to get tangled around his neck or body, which cuts off his oxygen supply and can lead to delivery before term.
– Miscarriage
A fall can lead to miscarriage in two ways: It can cause trauma to the abdomen, or it can cause stress when you’re pregnant with multiples (twins or triplets). In extreme cases, a fall may cause one twin to prematurely separate from its twin sac — known as Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). This condition causes one twin to grow faster than its sibling and puts both at risk for heart failure or stillbirth because they share blood vessels that supply nutrients throughout their bodies.
– Hemorrhage (Bleeding)
This is the most dangerous complication of falling during pregnancy because it can cause serious health problems for you and your baby if not treated quickly. Bleeding could lead to blood transfusions or surgery if large amounts of blood accumulate in your abdomen or intestines (abdominal compartment syndrome). Hemorrhage may also increase the risk of infection because it reduces oxygen supply to tissues in the body that need it most — including those in utero.
Reasons for Falling on Buttocks While Pregnant
If you fell on bum while pregnant, don’t worry. It’s normal & usual. Here are five reasons that can explain why it happens:
– Low Blood Pressure And Sugar
A sudden drop in blood pressure is one of the most common reasons women fall while pregnant. This condition is called hypotension or postural hypotension. It occurs when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure, which causes dizziness and nausea. This can cause you to lose your balance and fall on your buttocks.
Another reason you fell on bottom while pregnant is low sugar levels in the body. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occurs when there is an imbalance between insulin production by the pancreas and its utilization by cells in the body. This can cause weakness, fatigue, hunger, sweating, and confusion, among other symptoms.
– Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can affect the way you balance and move. During pregnancy, your body produces more progesterone and relaxin, which can increase your risk of falling. Progesterone relaxes the ligaments that support your joints, making them more flexible and less stable. This allows your body to expand during pregnancy but also affects your balance and movement.
Relaxin is a hormone that softens connective tissue in the pelvis before birth to help prepare for labor. More relaxin is produced during each trimester of pregnancy because it helps prepare your body for childbirth. While this softening makes it easier to give birth, it also makes you more likely to fall when going about your daily activities.
– Fatigue
If you fell on bottom while pregnant, it could be due to fatigue or tiredness, which may occur due to lack of sleep or physical exhaustion from carrying the extra weight around all day long. The extra strain that pregnancy puts on your body can make you more prone to falling due to tiredness and physical weakness. If you do not sleep enough at night, it will affect your ability to walk correctly during the day because you will feel very weak and tired most of the time.
– Weight Gain
Weight gain is a common reason for falling during pregnancy. By the end of your pregnancy, you’ll be carrying around an extra 20 pounds or more. It’s no wonder that many women have difficulty balancing and walking.
Pregnancy hormones relax the ligaments that support your pelvis, making them less stable. In addition, you may have less muscle tone than usual because of the passive nature of your lifestyle and changes in posture due to weight gain.
Ways To Prevent Those Ridiculous Falls During Pregnancy
For me, it was sometime between 5 and 6 months. My balance was off. I was constantly tripping over my feet. And I fell on my bottom while pregnant more than I remember.
You know what I’m talking about — when you’re carrying your child low, there’s a good chance that gravity will take over and send you tumbling.
What can you do to prevent these ridiculous falls? Here are some tips:
– Wear The Right Shoes
The key to preventing falls while pregnant is to wear the right shoes. The wrong shoes can cause you to fall and injure yourself. Consider the following tips when choosing your shoes:
- Pick supportive, comfortable shoes that fit well. Your feet will swell during pregnancy, so buy shoes that will accommodate this extra volume and support your arches and ankles.
- Wear low-heeled wedges or flats with a wide-toe box. These shoes will provide more stability than high heels, making you more prone to tripping or slipping on uneven surfaces.
- If you plan on walking long distances, consider wearing hiking boots or tennis shoes with good treads for traction.
– Avoid Slippery Surfaces
Slippery surfaces are the number-one cause of falls in the elderly and pregnant women. Make sure to use non-slip mats in your shower or bathtub, and put one under your toilet seat so it doesn’t skid out from under you if you have an accident. Also, if you live in an older home with wooden floors, consider putting down some non-skid rug runners to prevent falls on your way from room to room, especially if you’re carrying a load of laundry or groceries.
– Be Careful When Climbing Stairs
I’ll be honest; this is the one I struggle with most. It’s so easy to get distracted and ignore where you’re going. For example, while I was pregnant with my first child, I was running up the stairs at work, and a coworker was coming down. He said, “Oh hey!” and that was it. I tripped over him and fell right on my belly! It was embarrassing for me, but luckily I wasn’t hurt at all. So keep an eye out for those coworkers or strangers who may be walking around on your stairways.
Bottom Line
Remember, staying calm and getting to the hospital is the most important thing. You may have a broken bone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy—and it’s certainly not the end of the world!
I hope this piece has helped you better understand what’s going on with your body and how to navigate it. If you’re still concerned about your health or your baby’s, don’t hesitate to call your doctor or midwife for more information.
More to Read
- What Happens If You Don’t Eat Enough While Pregnant? – Surprising Facts
- Is My Baby Hungry When I’m Hungry During Pregnancy?
- Is It Bad To Not Take Prenatal Vitamins While Pregnant?
- It Feels Like Baby Is Shaking Inside Me! Is That Normal?
- Why Is My Pregnant Belly Soft When I Lay Down – What You Should Know
- Why Does My Pregnant Belly Look Smaller Some Days?
- Can You Crack Your Back While Pregnant – Is It Safe?
- Pregnant and Scared of Life Changing – Guide to Overcome