Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last reviewed: October 2003
By the BabyCenter editorial staff
How do you know whether that sudden ache is normal or warrants a 2 a.m. call to your doctor or midwife? Here's a rundown of symptoms that should set off your warning bells. But even if you don't see your symptom on this list, it's better to err on the side of caution and make that call than to agonize for hours, wondering whether you've pulled a ligament or gone into preterm labor.
Note that some of these symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in pregnancy. Your practitioner should review with you at various points in your pregnancy which signs warrant an urgent call.
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Leaking fluid or a change in vaginal discharge — that is, if it becomes watery, mucousy, or bloody
• Pelvic pressure or low back pain or cramping before 37 weeks gestation
• Painful or burning urination
• Little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or fever of 101 degrees F or higher
• Persistent itching all over, especially if accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision, blurring, dimming, flashing spots, or lights
• Severe head pain that lasts for more than two to three hours
• Swelling or puffiness (also called edema) of the hands, face, and around the eyes or sudden noticeable weight gain of 2 pounds or more, not related to eating
• Persistent severe leg cramp or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your nose
• Decrease in fetal movement (As a general rule, if you feel fewer than ten movements in two hours at 26 weeks or later, call your practitioner immediately.)
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Fainting or dizziness with or without heart palpitations
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about even if it's not pregnancy related (like a cold that gets worse rather than better). Just call a little sooner than you would normally.
If you're not sure whether a symptom is serious, don't feel like yourself, or you're uneasy, trust your instincts and call your healthcare provider. If there's a problem, you'll get help right away. If nothing's wrong, you'll be reassured. Your practitioner expects these kinds of calls. Your body is changing so rapidly that it's hard to know whether what you're experiencing is 'normal.' Do yourself and your baby a favor and get it checked out.
Approved by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last reviewed: October 2003
By the BabyCenter editorial staff
How do you know whether that sudden ache is normal or warrants a 2 a.m. call to your doctor or midwife? Here's a rundown of symptoms that should set off your warning bells. But even if you don't see your symptom on this list, it's better to err on the side of caution and make that call than to agonize for hours, wondering whether you've pulled a ligament or gone into preterm labor.
Note that some of these symptoms may be more or less urgent depending on your particular situation or health history and on how far along you are in pregnancy. Your practitioner should review with you at various points in your pregnancy which signs warrant an urgent call.
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting
• Leaking fluid or a change in vaginal discharge — that is, if it becomes watery, mucousy, or bloody
• Pelvic pressure or low back pain or cramping before 37 weeks gestation
• Painful or burning urination
• Little or no urination
• Severe or persistent vomiting or any vomiting accompanied by pain or fever
• Chills or fever of 101 degrees F or higher
• Persistent itching all over, especially if accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, and pale stools
• Visual disturbances, such as double vision, blurring, dimming, flashing spots, or lights
• Severe head pain that lasts for more than two to three hours
• Swelling or puffiness (also called edema) of the hands, face, and around the eyes or sudden noticeable weight gain of 2 pounds or more, not related to eating
• Persistent severe leg cramp or calf pain that doesn't ease up when you flex your ankle and point your toes toward your nose
• Decrease in fetal movement (As a general rule, if you feel fewer than ten movements in two hours at 26 weeks or later, call your practitioner immediately.)
• Trauma to the abdomen
• Fainting or dizziness with or without heart palpitations
• Any health problem that you'd ordinarily call your practitioner about even if it's not pregnancy related (like a cold that gets worse rather than better). Just call a little sooner than you would normally.
If you're not sure whether a symptom is serious, don't feel like yourself, or you're uneasy, trust your instincts and call your healthcare provider. If there's a problem, you'll get help right away. If nothing's wrong, you'll be reassured. Your practitioner expects these kinds of calls. Your body is changing so rapidly that it's hard to know whether what you're experiencing is 'normal.' Do yourself and your baby a favor and get it checked out.
