Abdominal gunshot wounds in pregnancy.

The incidence of gunshot wounds in the civilian population is increasing. Likewise, pregnant women are more frequently sustaining wounds of the abdomen. We report on three women who sustained abdominal gunshot wounds during pregnancy. Guidelines for management are suggested. Select patients may be observed if the following conditions are present: mother's condition is stable, the entrance wound is below the fundus of the uterus, the missile can be radiographically demonstrated to be in the uterine cavity, there is a negative abdominal examination, and there is no blood in the urine or gastrointestinal tract.