Fell down stairs when pregnant

[EmsyW]

Hi there
I am 17 weeks pregnant and this morning I slipped down the stairs at home. I landed on my back. My elbow and bone at base of spine took the brunt of the fall but I’m just concerned about baby. Has anyone else have a similar experience? I allied midwife and she said as long as I didn’t fall on my stomach I’m fine but I’m worried maybe something got ruptured inside? X

Not haooened to me but you could always ask to be checked over x

I think if your midwife isn’t concerned and you’re not feeling anything unusual then you’re probably fine - but I’m sure they would check on you if you asked.

If it makes you feel any better, my mum fell down concrete stairs when she was 8 months pregnant with me - they did check her over because of the way she fell, but everything was fine and she carried until her due date x

I got knocked flying by a large dog which took both my legs out from underneath me and fell hard on my back (around 34 weeks). Felt baby move afterwards but still got checked out just in case (they were more worried about my injuries!) All is good, due tomorrow wooo, they are so well padded in there but you can always get checked if you're worried x

I've fallen down stairs twice this pregnancy, on my bum/elbow both times

First time was so early that I didn't ring anyone as there would have been nothing they could have done. Scan the week after was fine and MW said she didn't blame me for not phoning in if I felt ok. The second time I was around where you are now and I mentioned it to my MW when I saw her a couple of days later. She said that was fine as at that stage in the pregnancy as long as I didn't start bleeding within a couple of hours I was fine. I have loads of scans as this is a high risk pregnancy and at 30 weeks tomorrow, all is well so far!

Was scary though, especially the first time. I went into proper full on shock because I was so scared for the baby until it became apparent that it was ok

I fell down the stairs at 20 weeks (2 weeks ago) it was a horrid shock and I ended up with bruising across my back where i hit the steps going down. I was terrified but had no bleeding, had a bath and went to bed at which point the baby started her regular evening wriggle routine so I knew all was well.

Have you had any movement at 17 weeks to feel a difference? Babies are pretty snug in the pelvis and falling on your bottom is the best way if you are going to fall at all!

I fell up some concrete steps at about 28 weeks had a massive bruise from my hip round to my bump. They didn’t scan me just checked heartbeat and that the baby moved. At 17 weeks I think the baby is very protected (and is throughout anyway) so don’t worry especially if the midwife isn’t concerned.

If you have any lasting pain, bleeding or cramps do not hesitate at all to contact the midwife again

I didn't fall down the stairs, but I fainted quite regularly, so was always falling over when I was pregnant. I was 23 weeks when I fell on my side and hit my head on a metal pole. Went to hospital and everything was fine. If you feel uneasy, I would call 111 for some advice, or see if you can get an earlier midwife appointment.

I haven’t felt any movements yet unfortunately so can’t use that to check all ok. My elbow is blue and the size of a golf ball and it hurts to sit down. I’m more concerned about baby though. I feel like I’m starting to get aches in my abdomen but don’t know if it’s psychological x

@EmsyW Do you know if there is a midwife appointment available today/tomorrow for you just to go in, even if just for your own peace of mind?

Your baby is well cushioned in the womb. Despite it being a staple of some fiction, falling isn't actually much danger to your baby unless you hit the bump directly. This is why your midwife isn't very concerned. Your baby is better protected than your boney bits!

It sounds like you should get yourself checked out anyway op as your poor elbow sounds really sore! Perhaps see if a GP can check you out? They can then also reassure you about baby and perhaps listen in.

I did the same at 37 weeks with my 17month old in my arms too. I felt baby movements the same as before & I was too concerned about the toddler to get checked out but I did have baby 12 hours later! Midwives couldn't say if the fall was the reason why but labour with a bruised back & a baby that was back to back was not fun.

If your worried get checked out

Thankyou all for your replies. I rang 111 and explained the situation. They got got a paramedic to call me. The paramedic called and then told me to call my GP. GP called me and told me to go to a walk in centre to get checked. I rang my midwife for advice and she has said to go to birthing centre to have a check. Currently waiting now. And I may then go and get the elbow checked. I was worried because it’s the weekend tomorrow so getting appointments with midwives then is a nightmare and then I’m travelling to Europe for a week next week for work so would rather get things checked today. I’m sure everything is ok bearing in mind the amount of other ladies who have had similar accidents xx

Came out of midwife appointment at 39 weeks and I "ran" for a cab. Obviously my centre of gravity was quite far forward (!) and I toppled over straight on to my stomach in the middle of a busy high street in front of traffic.

Went straight back in to hospital and put on a monitor - baby was fine and didn't arrive for another 4 weeks!

I was very bruised and had ripped my maternity jeans though! Fingers crossed all is ok for you.

Oh no poor you - sounds horrendous. I’m so glad you and baby were ok (apart from the ripped maternity jeans). That must have been very scary though, falling directly on your tummy. Xx