Falls in pregnancy

Falling over in pregnancy can be really worrying for a mum-to-be: after all, in TV dramas a fall almost always precedes a miscarriage.

In reality, though, the majority of falls have few or no repercussions. This is because the amniotic sac that encloses your baby is strong enough to protect him from a certain amount of impact.

Why might I fall in pregnancy?

There's nothing to say that every woman will have a fall during her pregnancy, but it's best to be on your guard, as pregnancy itself can make you more vulnerable. This is for three reasons:

• your growing bump can alter your centre of gravity, meaning you aren't as well able to balance as normal.
• the hormones of pregnancy which help to relax your joints and ligaments can also affect the way you move and walk, which means you can more easily wrong-foot yourself.
• low blood-sugar levels and low blood pressure may both occur in pregnancy, and can make you feel dizzy or faint, making a fall more likely.

What will happen to my baby?

As long as you're not badly hurt yourself in a fall, it's unlikely that your baby will be hurt either. The combination of the cushioning effect of your amniotic sac and fluid with strong abdominal muscles and your pelvic bone will help to minimise your baby's movement within the womb, and chances are he hasn't felt anything at all.

How can I prevent myself falling?

Whilst it may not be possible to avoid falls altogether, you can certainly take steps to reduce the risk:

• Sit down or steady yourself against something if you do start to feel dizzy.
• Eat small, frequent slow-release snacks, such as half a wholemeal sandwich; a piece of toast; some rough oatcakes; an apple or a cereal bar to keep your blood-sugar levels on an even keel.
• Wear low-heeled or wedge-heeled shoes so that your body isn't pitched forwards as the weight of your bump shifts your centre of gravity. (Avoid complete flatties, though, as these will put an extra strain on your calf muscles and lower back.)
• Watch your footing: look out for uneven paving stones, and look ahead for steps. (As your bump grows, you may find it harder to see your feet!)

When to seek medical advice

If your fall involved a blow to your bump; if you experience any bleeding; if you have any contractions or pains in your abdomen or if you notice a marked change in your baby's activity, seek advice from your midwife or go to your local A&E department. They will probably want to examine you and monitor your baby, just to be perfectly sure that all is well.

To talk to other mums about falling in pregnancy, go to the Coffeehouse.