TRAUMA DURING PREGNANCY: MATERNAL AND FETAL INJURY

Travel during pregnancy is not accompanied by increased pregnancy loss in the absence of traumatic injury to the mother. When the mother is involved in an accident, her injuries involve the pregnant uterus infrequently. The incidence, pathologic physiology, and treatment of maternal and fetal traumatic injury are discussed. Guidelines are presented for the establishment of a causative relationship between the traumatic event and subsequent pregnancy injury. It is suggested that such a relationship is difficult to establish. Nevertheless, the burden of proof should rest with the person who claims the causative relationship, rather than with the defense.