Normal physiologic alterations during gestation

The incidence of road side accidents and trauma has increased several folds in developing nations and so is the number of therapeutic interventions and advancement in management of such victims1. However, on numerous occasions such episodes can lead to life threatening condition thus raising the mortality and morbidity associated with such accidents. These risks are accentuated in pregnant women as two lives are at stake. The care of critically ill pregnant patient is a huge challenging task for the attending intensivist1,2. A review by Connolly and coworkers found that amongst the pregnant trauma patients 54.6% of the incidents were motor vehicle accidents: 22.3% were domestic abuse and assaults, 21.8% were associated with falls, and 1.3% were secondary to burns, puncture wounds, or animal bites3. The present socio-economic conditions, inability to support families on a single income, and desire to pursue careers have increased the risk of trauma amongst pregnant women4. While managing a reproductive age female trauma victim one should always suspect pregnancy.