Being pregnant with number two (or three. . .) can be an entirely new ballgame. Each pregnancy is different, so you may be experiencing random new symptoms that vary from last time. Likely, you are also feeling much more tired than with your first baby, because now you are chasing around a toddler instead of getting some occasional rest. You are also learning to play defense with your pregnant belly, attempting to keep baby #1 from clobbering it on a regular basis. Despite your best efforts you will occasionally get bumped, pulled on, and likely even body slammed hard enough to take your breath away. This can be scary and painful to the mom, but is extremely unlikely to hurt the baby.
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For more tips and peace-filled advice like this, check out The Pregnancy and Baby Companion books.
Your baby is protected by many layers:
Bones
Skin
Fat
Muscles
Fascia (strong connective tissue that holds muscles together)
Intestines
Uterus (super thick and strong muscles)
Any blunt force has to pass through all these insulating layers to reach the baby. But even then, the baby is further insulated by the amniotic fluid.
In the first trimester the uterus has not even reached the pubic bone, so the pelvic bones protect the baby.
Many moms often wonder if tight clothes, seat belts, a toddler sitting on her lap, intercourse or pushing on their abdomen might harm the baby. Please rest assured these activities are not going to cause any issues.
To injure a baby in the womb, it takes a significant amount of force. Most cases of fetal injury are due to domestic violence (gunshot wounds/stabbing) or car accidents.
What can be concerning is shearing forces, especially in the third trimester. The placenta is made to detach from the uterus after delivery, but strong shearing forces can make it pull away prematurely. Falls onto the abdomen or buttocks, car accidents or severe trauma can cause the placenta to be dislodged from the uterus in a condition called an abruption. An abruption can happen immediately after trauma or may not show up for 24 hours after an accident. Symptoms of an abruption include: contractions, bleeding, and abdominal pain. Anytime you fall during pregnancy, if it’s hard enough to knock the wind out of you, you should call your provider. Even if you don’t fall directly on your abdomen it is important to be monitored for signs of an abruption.
Testing for an abruption includes an ultrasound, labs to check for bleeding, and monitoring contractions and baby’s heart beat. Often we will monitor women for up to 8 hours after an accident to make sure that there is no evidence of an abruption.
The unavoidable day to day bumping and pushing on your pregnant belly is fine. The occasional toddler hop, though painful and stressful for mom is unlikely to injure your baby. The baby will just be sloshed around in his amniotic fluid swimming pool. If you fall or are involved in any type of auto accident, this could be a major issue. Please call your provider to determine if you need further evaluation.
Have you had issues with your toddler unexpectedly pouncing on your belly?
Dr. Heather Rupe
The Pregnancy and Baby Companion books were featured in the 2015 Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. Get info about future ebook bundle deals >> Ultimate Bundles
For more tips and peace-filled advice this this, check out The Pregnancy and Baby Companion books
I’m six weeks pregnant and today my three year old niece accidentally kneed me pretty hard on my lower abdomen just above my pelvic bone where baby is. I felt a little shiver through my body because it was pretty hard. Should I be concerned?
I’m 24 weeks pregnant.a young boy playing with my tummy then he punch it?do u think the baby is harm by that?
I’m 16 week 2 days pregnant. I pulled a muscle in my lower back on the left side now I’m having pain in my in my behind n around my stomach should I be worried? My 16 month old son loves to climb all over me but he doesn’t do it roughly. Should I call my obgyn or go to the er to get checked out
hi im 16 weeks pregnant im worried because i accidentally hit my stomach with an ipad exactly where the baby is, does my baby hurt? Please help.
I’m 30 weeks pregnant and this is my second child. My 2 year old son, who is a lot larger than most two year olds, constantly tackles me and jumps on my belly and elbows me. It hurts and I correct him and tell him his little brother is in there and that he has to be gentle. But as far as the baby being hurt I highly doubt it, the most that happens is he wakes up and kicks his older brother back! SMH. My new little one isn’t even born yet and they are already fighting.
I am 16 weeks pregnant and i was extra bloated one day from extra eating and I leaned forward to get something and I felt like I squeezed something bc of all the gas pressure. I’m sure that all is well but I have miscarried 3 times and don’t want to lose this guy. We all wotry so much bc we don’t know what is going on inside of our bodies. I hope prayers and love for our babies is what we need. I’m always asking God to keep me strong instead of a crazy pregnant lady!
Hello! I’m 18 weeks pregnant with baby #2. I’m worried because tonight my husband and I had intercourse and he was on top. He kept laying on my stomach. He wasn’t putting ALL his weight but there was pressure on my abdomen and I kept having to tell him to hold himself up more. We just like I be close while making love and it’s getting hard to do. Should I even be worried?? I also have to watch out for my 2.5 year old who loves to jump all over me but she pretty much understands when I tell her to be careful of the baby and then she will kiss my belly.
I was knocked in the back Hard will that hurt my baby? Please answer back
I was sitting maybe 6inches off the floor doing some chores and I think i squeezed my legs too tight that i felt like my pelvic bones squeezed my baby and then immediately felt the baby wobble around like crazy for a short while. im worried i might have deformed my baby because of it…is that possible? 33weeks pregnant so i think theres not much space for baby to move to. next check up is in 4days im worried they will think its silly and not take it seriously 🙁
I’m 7 weeks along and have a VERY rowdy 16 month old who loves to climb all over me often kneeing me or plopping all his weight on my tummy. I’ve been so worried he’s gunna hurt our little sacred vessel, but feel MUCH reading this article!
Me and my partner were messing around and I fell and his elbow hit my tummy I’m 17 weeks and I’m so worried that something gonna happen
I’m 23 weeks pregnant and my 18 month old just jumped on my belly while I was laying on the couch…Scared me!! Feel a little better now that I read this article
This article made me feel a little better. I am currently 13 weeks pregnant and my 7 month old was sick and slept with me last night. He was very restless and kept waking me up kicking/pushing me with his feet in my side (never directly in the front). Some seemed pretty forceful. Should I be worried about my pregnancy? I have called my OB but haven’t heard back from him.
My 3 year old has just jumped on belly. I’m 13 weeks and not in a great deal of pain. Scared the life out of me, I’ve previously miscarried so extra nervous. Hoping all is ok.
Same exact situation as u mrswal1903. Did u ever find out if u n the baby were ok?
Dont worry
I am 16 weeks and I always worried about my baby if someone steps on your back will my baby be hurt?? I am very worried
No fama honey u shouldn’t worrying
Hi, I’m Chaun, and in 33 weeks pregnant with my third baby. I had a little tummy ache and went to the bathroom because it felt like diarrhea, but while sitting down on the toilet, i felt nauseous and threw up into the bag in the trash. I felt a lot of pressure and tightness in my tummy when i bent over while sitting. I felt like i squeezed my baby. Well she be ok, or should i go and get checked?
Chaun check with your doctor honey
Okay I kind of scared my husband you know messing around tickling him and he accidently elbowed my belly I’m 26 weeks pregnant would that harmed my baby?
hi I am 18 weeks ans someone pulled my stomach will my baby still be fine
hi am 5months pregnant and today while working one of my employeesbump into my stomach it was kind of hard but it ddnt knock me down or anything it just felt like someone bump into my stomach.now am worried that that bump harm my angel.can someone help plz
My Son just jump on me elbowing me in the stomach in the process
im 8 weeks pregnant with my second child and its so hard
to keep my 1 st child off my tummy. Reading this article
made me feel better about the safety of my unborn. But
needless to say it still hurts and is scary.
im 11 weeks and fell in work yesterday hitting my tummy on the workbench it went red but no bruising and only feels a little sore when i touch were hurt, do you think i should contact doctor? havent had any bleeding or cramping. thanks.
Lynsey,
I am sorry we didn’t get back with you sooner. How is everything? It’s always ok to contact your doctor if you are concerned. Praying for you today!
hey, thanks for gettin back to me 🙂 i seem to be all good now no pain or anything! im now 13 weeks..so just looking forward to my 20week scan now lol 🙂 thanks again jessica xxsc
I took my 20 month old to the dentist yesterday, he was sitting on my lap and threw a tantrum. I was worried that something might have happened to the baby, but my ob’s office wouldn’t see me they told me if I was concerned to go to the hospital. I currently have no insurance, and had no belly pain just minor back pain so I didn’t go. my next appointment in in the middle of September so hoping everything is fine. I was feeling movements occasionally in the beginning of the week, but im only 14 weeks 6 days so I know its too early to expect to feel them. After reading this it sounds like things are probably fine and that it is typical to have this happen with a toddler at home.
Im 18 weeks pregnant. I was woken out of my sleep from my toddler forcefully and repeatedly dragging his elbow across my tummy. Now im having what feels like gas pains. Im just hoping everything is ok with my unborn! Extremely worried…..
I fell right on my tummy crossing the street, second trimester, second baby. I sort of just bounced back up and all was fine.
Wow Carolyn. So glad you were ok. Thanks for joining us here in the community!