The pathophysiology of trauma in pregnancy: A review

Emergency care of the pregnant patient with trauma presents a unique set of circumstances and challenges to physicians. Pregnancy causes anatomic and physiologic changes involving nearly every organ system in the body, making treatment of the pregnant trauma patient difficult. The other factors that make treatment complex are fear of harming the fetus, upsetting the patient, and/or lack of experience. The possibility of pregnancy should be considered in all women of reproductive age with trauma. A profound understanding of the pathophysiology of the pregnant trauma patient might aid in dealing with this complex problem.