Sharp jab to bump - sick with worry

[felttips]

I was in the kitchen, turned around and jabbed my bump against the corner of an open kitchen cupboard door. It pressed into my bump quite hard and quickly and caused a sharp pain. The pain disappeared after about 20 seconds and didn’t leave a mark or bruise, but I’m terrified that I’ve hurt my baby somehow. The baby is now head down and the impact was quite low down on my bump. I’m 35 weeks pregnant, so I’m not sure how well baby is cushioned in there either. Baby movement afterwards was normal.

I’m quite an anxious person and spent hours and hours googling injuries to the bump last night. I found that trauma to the baby in utero can cause all sorts of things, from fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus?) to brain damage.

Everything has been going well with the pregnancy so far and now I’m completely freaking out that I could have harmed my baby What can I do?!

Your baby is fine. If you didn’t even leave a mark or a bruise it hasn’t penetrated through to the baby 🤗
Take a few deep breaths, step away from google, and do something relaxing for yourself.

I did this a few weeks ago, I was 27 weeks at the time. I called the midwife because I so worried and she pointed out that there is a lot of fluid etc protecting the baby so not to worry. Think how big you are given how small the baby is (at 35 weeks about the size of a melon), it is literally wrapped in fluid, tissue, muscle, your skin etc. You have nothing to worry about!

I remember doing this and feeling really worried, but the baby is so well cushioned in there. If the movements are normal then I really wouldnt think too much about it. Have a chat with your midwife if you are particularly concerned, I’m sure she will be able to reassure you.

I did the same but got a nasty bruise from it. I cried down the phone to a midwife because I didn't feel any movement for 30 minutes. Baby eventually moved... He's 2 now and no issues!

It’ll be fine but given you’re anxiety, ring the midwife as I think that’s the reassurance you need really.

Thanks - the replies have made me feel a little better. If I could get a scan would they be able to check for fluid on the brain or damage?!

Oh, OP. I think it’s highly unlikely they’re going to scan you on this basis and especially not in the current climate. I think you do need to call your midwife to get some support around your concerns and anxiety.

I did that at 32 weeks on a chest of drawers and it was all fine; the midwife told me that there is a lot of padding and it’s only things like a car crash or a bad fall that they worry about.
I would ring the maternity assessment unit for reassurance though otherwise you’ll be worrying all day.

OP, try to relax, you're being a little OTT here. My 3 year old DS has kicked/bopped/jumped on my bump multiple times. If a prang light enough to stop hurting after 20 seconds and not leave a mark caused brain damage, there'd be a lot of brain damaged babies being born. You'll be fine

Ring the midwife for reassurance if you're still worried.

Oh, OP. I think it’s highly unlikely they’re going to scan you on this basis and especially not in the current climate.

That’s what I thought. I will call the midwife but it sounds like I have to just hope for the best, basically. Although it sounds like from what others have said that the baby is well protected.

If a prang light enough to stop hurting after 20 seconds and not leave a mark caused brain damage, there'd be a lot of brain damaged babies being born.

Thanks @KatnissMellark - that’s very true. Maybe I should stay off Google!

Definitely stay off Google. Pregnancy is worrying at the best of time, add I'm a global pandemic and its no wonder we're a bit on edge. Google just makes it worse.