Baby on Board

While driving to a wedding with Andrea 30 weeks pregnant in the passenger seat, we crossed an traffic light controlled intersection as you do when you have the Green Light, a car drives right into the Andreas door, pushing the car right across the street, fortunately the road was wet from there being rain earlier, the car was a light car and new with all the side impact features in new cars.
I drove the crippled car back over to the correct side of the road, out of row of on coming traffic (lucky there wasn’t that either).

Checked first if Andrea was ok, she was talking, looked and said she felt ok.

I went to see the driver of the other car, who had by then managed to steer his crippled car near where I parked mine, he was ok, and he admitted responsibility immediately

I called emergency services and asked for Police and explained the situation:
* Car Accident
* Location
* Wife 30 weeks pregnant
* Passenger door jammed

In 5 minutes, there was 2 Ambulances, a Fire truck and a Police car
The Police Officer took over the whole situation, of the accident, witnesses, statements and a tow truck
The Paramedics took care of Andrea, she managed to get out of the car from the drivers door
The Firemen made sure the cars were not a fire hazard, they seamed disappointed they didn’t get to use the Jaws-of-Life on the car to get Andrea out.

The decision was made that Andrea will be taken to the hospital, for checkups and precautions; there is only so much you can do on the side of the road.

Blood Pressure was taken while in the Ambulance

As soon as we got to the hospital the Blood Pressure was taken again
We were certainly the best dressed people there
Then a Fetal Doppler Stethoscope was used to listen to the baby’s heart, which was all good.
We had let one of the guests of the wedding know what was happening, and that we were going to be late.

A little latter on we were informed that Andrea needed to be under observation for 4 hours which is standard for pregnant women that have been involved in an accident.

With a Fetal Monitor strapped to Andrea’s belly, she was wheeled out to the Birthing Unit of the hospital.

I took the opportunity to pick up another car.

A blood test was taken from Andrea, what the doctor was looking for was the mixing of blood of the baby and mother, if mixing of the blood did occur it would be a sign of a Placental Abruption, which could lead to serious problems including haemorrhage, miscarriage, or premature delivery.
Also if Andrea’s blood type was Rh-Negative he body could produce antibodies against the baby, note Andrea is not Rh-Negative, but if she was a shot of Rh Immunoglobulin would reduce the risk of the mother producing an anti body.

We spent 5 hours in total in the hospital, before Andrea was discharged, with a precaution to look out for Vaginal bleeding.

We made it to the wedding to catch the last 2 hours of the reception, the wedding couple repeated their dance for us, thanks Missy and Tim.

Tips:
* Any time you're in a car accident — whether it's a fender-bender or a multiple-car pileup — Call the police as soon as possible, let them take care of the situation, you need to be examined as soon as possible, no matter how far along the pregnancy the mother is.
* Do not Panic, it is important that you do not upset or panic the mother anymore than she may already be, she needs to focus on the baby inside her.
* Have an emergency contact list with the mother at all times

Warm Regards

Eric