Blunt force trauma to belly...OK or not?

[othersomethings]

I'm 8mos along...my belly is HUGE. Last night while getting my daughter out of the car, I handed her to my husband standing behind me, and then stepped back to close the car door. Only problem was I didn't realize my husband hadn't moved yet, so I stepped back into him which wasn't far enough from the car, and the car door SLAMMED on my belly.

I immediately cried out and took a minute to get over the initial "holy crap that hurt" and think straight. But I didn't think it was actually hard enough to do anything to the baby, so I kind of brushed it off and moved on.

Today however, I'm feeling pretty sore in what seems to be that area that got hit. I don't see any bruising or swelling necessarily. But it is tender. I've put some arnica on it, that's about it. Baby has been a tad less active today. Still moving though...feels more like stretching out than his usual salsa dance routine that drives me nuts.

Should I have called my midwife, or something? Is this no big deal or is it maybe a big deal?

[frickchen]

 I don't think there would be any harm in calling. Sometimes bruising doesn't show up for a few days. It sounds like it would ease your mind- especially since you've noticed a change in activity.

Hope the soreness goes away fast!

[kcparker]

The baby is pretty well protected inside the amniotic fluid - it acts as a shock absorber. I wouldn't worry unless baby is not moving or you see blood, but neither of those seems to be the case. But always, if you are genuinely worried, call the MW...

[no5no5]

I'd get it checked out, probably with an ultrasound, personally.  It sounds very traumatic, and the babe is not cushioned that well late in the 3rd trimester.  I would not wait until the baby stops moving or you experience bleeding.  It's probably fine, but the risk is there, IMO, and I wouldn't want to take the chance of missing something serious. 

[mama2bJune2011]

I agree with no5no5. Personally I would get it checked out if it hurts to touch. Everything is probably just fine but I'd go in just to be on the safe side.

[MeepyCat]

I agree - both that odds are good that things are okay, and that I would want to call the midwife and get checked out anyway.  Part of the job of providing health care to pregnant women is taking phone calls and looking into their concerns. 

Another thing to consider - are you Rh-?  Have you had a Rhogam shot, or would you want to consider having one if there's evidence of any bleeding?

[othersomethings]

quick update...saw my midwife today and told her about the whole thing...she said if I'd called she would have had me go to the ER for a non-stress test and ultrasound.

Well, live and learn...In the mean time, baby has "bounced back" with movement, I haven't had any bleeding (a sign of placenta problems) and no swelling or anything so she said everything seemed to be fine in the end. And to not do it again, lol...

I guess next time I won't pussyfoot around. I'll just call.

Thanks for the encouragement mamas :)

[I Need Coffee]

I would call just in case. They will probably want to check the baby's heartrate to make sure there is no fetal distress.

[RoseRedHoofbeats]

I was in a car accident when I was 27 weeks. At first I felt fine and I felt the baby move, but then the next day she stopped moving. I was completely freaking out, and it took forever to call my husband home from work, deal with my stepkids, and then get to the ER. She was fine but it would have been a lot better if I had gone in right after to be sure she was okay.

~Rose

[dakotablue]

Glad everything was ok. Hopefully someone else will see your post and call if in the same situation.