A study recently published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons stresses the importance of considering pregnant patients' pregnancy stage and condition before operating.
Here are six things to know:
1. Treating pregnant patients with bone and joint injuries often requires a team of specialists from various specialties.
2. Many factors must be juggled to improve maternal health without risking fetal health:
- Maternal physiology
- Maternal anatomy
- Radiation procedures and risks
- Infections
- Chemicals
- Drugs
- Proper surgical techniques
3. Pregnant women and unborn babies are most vulnerable to injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes.
4. Researchers recommend physicians strongly urge pregnant patients to always wear seat belts.
5. Surgery should be delayed until after delivery to minimize risk of harm.
6. Pregnant patients with orthopedic trauma are more prone to:
- Premature delivery
- Deliver by cesarean section
- Deliver their babies on admission
Lead author Nirmal Tejwani, MD, of New York City-based NYU Langone Orthopedics said, "The health of the mother is always prioritized over the fetus."
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