Scoping Review on the Consequences of Falls in Women During the Perinatal Period

To identify consequences of falls in women during the perinatal period.

Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), CINAHL Ultimate (EBSCO), MEDLINE Ultimate (EBSCO), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (EBSCO), Cochrane Clinical Answers (EBSCO), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (EBSCO), Cochrane Methodology Register (EBSCO), MedicLatina (EBSCO), Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP), SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science.

We included quantitative or qualitative primary studies, literature reviews, systematic reviews, expert opinion papers, organizational guidelines, and conference abstracts regarding consequences of falls in women during the perinatal period, in any context of care, that were published until November 11, 2024, in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish.

We extracted the following data from the included reports: author(s), year, country, aim, study design, type of report, sample size, setting, types and consequences of falls, prevalence, and risk factors for falls.

From a total of 33 articles, 27 were related to the consequences of falls during pregnancy, 3 were related to consequences of falls during both pregnancy and the postpartum period, 2 were related to consequences of falls during the perinatal period in which one does not identify the specific stage, and 1 was related to the postpartum period. We did not identify any reports of falls during childbirth. Injuries were common consequences of falls among women during the perinatal period, and the severity of falls varied from minor to severe. Obstetric injuries were severe and unique to pregnant women.

Pregnant women sustain varied injuries after falls and often need health care. Further research is warranted regarding the consequences of falls during childbirth and the postpartum period.