PREGNANT women should be warned to be extra cautious on roads, as new research suggests even minor bumps increase the risk serious birth complications.
Small car accidents can lead to dislodgement of the placenta, prolonged contractions and the need for induced labour, researchers found.
Previous research, has shown that serious car crashes risk birth problems such as cerebral palsy, but until now it was unknown whether relatively small shunts were also damaging.
To find out, Taiwanese researchers cross referenced birth records and medical insurance claims of women who were involved in road collusion accidents and compared this to women who hadn't been involved in car accidents.
The study, published in the BMJ Injury Prevention, revealed that even those pregnant women who were involved in minor road prangs were 70 per cent more likely to experience placental abruption.
This is when the placenta detaches from the wall of the uterus, either partly or totally.
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This can cause bleeding in the mother and may interfere with the baby's supply of oxygen and nutrients.
The same group were also at 54 per cent more likely to require induced labour and 34 per cent more likely to experience prolonged contractions.
Pregnant women who experienced minor accidents while riding scooters also had significantly higher risks of birth complications and were 83 per cent higher risk of placental abruption than those in cars.
Lead author, Dr Chung-Yi Li of National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, said: “These findings reinforce the fact that healthcare workers should be aware of these effects and consider providing pregnant women with educational materials about road traffic safety and choice of vehicle while travelling during pregnancy.”
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She added: “Given the associations observed, a better understanding is needed in future research of the circumstance following crashes during pregnancy in order to develop effective management."
Serious car accidents
The new study showed women who were more seriously injured in crashes were at far greater risk of birth complications.
Those admitted to hospital within three days of a car crash were nearly six times more likely to experience placental abruption.
These women were also at significantly increased risk of heavy bleeding before birth, requiring a C-section delivery, and delivering underweight babies.
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