Pregnancy outcome after repeated blunt abdominal trauma.

During a four-year period, five of 49671 parturients were admitted on a prospective study protocol for repeated direct blunt abdominal trauma due to falls during pregnancy. Preterm contractions were noted in three patients one of which delivered preterm. No delayed abruptio placentae, intrauterine growth restriction or antepartum death were encountered. All patients delivered spontaneously. Repeated blunt abdominal trauma occurs rarely in pregnancy. Routine hospitalised surveillance in the absence of vaginal bleeding or uterine contractions may not be warranted.