Evaluation and treatment of the gravida and fetus following trauma during pregnancy.

The management of trauma during pregnancy requires an interdisciplinary team approach involving surgeons, emergency medicine physicians, and obstetricians. Management principles are similar to those utilized in nonpregnant patients, but a number of unique circumstances must be considered, including physiologic changes of pregnancy, diagnosis and management of abruptio placentae and fetomaternal hemorrhage, and the management of traumatic cardiac arrest during pregnancy. The routine use of cardiotocography, Kleihauer-Betke assay, and perimortem cesarean section are discussed as new principles in the management of trauma during pregnancy.