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Pregnancy often brings about various symptoms that, while uncomfortable, are typically normal and part of the process. However, as your pregnancy progresses, certain signs in later stages may raise concerns, and it’s beneficial to be aware of certain symptoms that warrant attention.
To prioritize you and your baby’s safety, here are pregnancy symptoms that require attention to ensure a healthy journey.
Nausea and vomiting, often referred to as “morning sickness,” are typical during the first trimester of pregnancy due to a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which is produced by the placenta. Despite the name, it can occur at any time of the day.
Extreme vomiting, beyond what is commonly experienced as morning sickness, could be a sign that you have hyperemesis gravidarum, a condition characterized by severe nausea and vomiting during pregnancy that potentially leads to dehydration and weight loss.
If you cannot keep food or fluids down, feel dizzy, or lose a significant amount of weight, it’s crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Your healthcare provider can assess the severity, offer appropriate treatment, and ensure you and your baby’s well-being.
Frequent urination alone is a common pregnancy symptom, particularly in the first trimester and later stages, as your baby’s growth exerts pressure on your bladder. However, experiencing an intensified urge to pee with minimal output or a burning sensation during urination could signal a urinary tract infection (UTI).
UTIs may manifest with additional signs like fever, chills, or blood-tinged urine. Seeking prompt attention from your healthcare provider is crucial for diagnosis and the initiation of treatment, preventing complications during pregnancy.
Bleeding or spotting during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, is relatively common. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, up to 25% of individuals experience some spotting or heavier bleeding within the initial 13 weeks. However, the majority of those who encounter such bleeding go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliver perfectly healthy babies.
However, it’s crucial to be aware that in some instances, spotting or bleeding can be linked to more serious conditions such as an ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or cervical infection. Suppose the spotting becomes heavy and is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like abdominal or pelvic pain, extreme lightheadedness, or shoulder pain. In that case, you must reach out to your healthcare provider promptly.
If you’re in the early stages of pregnancy, experiencing severe cramps focused on one side of your stomach, and you haven’t had an ultrasound yet, it’s essential to contact your doctor promptly to rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies occur when the fertilized egg implants itself outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. This condition can lead to serious complications and is a potential threat to both the pregnancy and your health.
Occasional headaches during pregnancy are usually nothing to worry about. However, if you’re experiencing a severe and persistent headache, especially with symptoms like fainting, dizziness, or blurred vision, you must contact your doctor promptly.
Severe headaches in the second and third trimesters could be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition linked to high blood pressure. This condition can affect blood flow to the baby and pose health risks. Those at higher risk include individuals with a family or personal history of preeclampsia, high blood pressure, preexisting diabetes, obesity, or those carrying more than one baby.
Regular communication with your healthcare provider is crucial for timely evaluation and appropriate care.
Vaginal bleeding in later pregnancy is always a matter that requires immediate attention. While it could be due to less severe causes, such as cervical irritation, it may also indicate more serious conditions like placenta previa or placental abruption.
Placenta previa occurs when the placenta covers part or all of the cervix, while placental abruption involves the detachment of the placenta from the uterus. Both situations can pose risks to you and your baby’s well-being.
Suppose you experience any vaginal bleeding in later pregnancy. In that case, contacting your healthcare provider right away is crucial for thorough evaluation and appropriate management to ensure you and your baby’s safety.
Experiencing a sudden gush or continuous trickle of water from the vagina before 37 weeks could be a sign of ruptured membranes, commonly known as your water breaking.
This can also happen before labour starts, and seeking immediate medical attention is crucial. Ruptured membranes increase the risk of infection, and if you’re close to your due date, it could indicate that labour is beginning.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you suspect your water has broken, as they will assess the situation, monitor for any signs of infection, and determine the best course of action for you and your baby.
Feeling sensations that resemble contractions, particularly if they are sporadic and not painful, could be attributed to Braxton Hicks’s practice of contractions, which are generally considered normal and a part of the body’s preparation for labour.
However, if these contractions persist, meaning they don’t cease with movement or change in position and become painful or occur regularly, it could signal preterm labour.
In such instances, reaching out to your healthcare provider promptly is crucial. Timely communication is vital because early intervention can help manage preterm labour effectively, reducing potential risks for both you and your baby.
Intense itching without a visible rash, especially in the hands and feet, might indicate cholestasis of pregnancy, a liver condition that can occur in the later stages of pregnancy.
It’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience severe itching, as cholestasis can pose risks to you and your baby. However, it’s important to note that itching can also be a normal part of pregnancy due to skin stretching as your baby grows.
Dry skin in the belly, breasts, and thighs may cause itching. While mild itching is common, any extreme or persistent discomfort should be communicated to your healthcare provider for proper evaluation and guidance.
Feeling your baby move, like fluttering, kicking, or turning, usually begins between 18 to 25 weeks of pregnancy. As you progress into the third trimester, your healthcare provider may suggest monitoring your baby’s movements by counting the time it takes to feel 10 kicks, rolls, or flutters.
This monitoring can be quick, but if an hour passes without movement, it’s advised to eat something, lie down, and try again. If you ever notice a lack of movement or your baby isn’t as active as usual for a few days, it’s important to call your healthcare provider to ensure your pregnancy is progressing well.
While some discomfort is expected during pregnancy, certain types of pain can signal potential complications, and paying attention to their location and characteristics is crucial. Some of the pains that require immediate attention include:
Back Pain: Back pain during pregnancy is common and often attributed to the changes your body undergoes to accommodate the growing baby. However, sudden or intensified lower back pain, especially in late pregnancy, can be a red flag for potential issues. It might signal preterm labour, particularly if you haven’t experienced back pain before.
Additionally, a fever accompanying back pain could indicate a kidney or bladder infection. Other potential causes include placental abruption, miscarriage, or a cyst.
Pelvic Pain or Cramping: Pelvic pain or cramping during pregnancy, particularly if accompanied by vomiting or diarrhoea, could indicate premature labour. Being attentive to these signs is crucial, as premature labour requires prompt medical attention.
Moreover, if abdominal pain is associated with other symptoms like vomiting or diarrhoea, it might suggest a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a gastrointestinal virus.
Additionally, uterine tenderness or abdominal pain could be a signal of placental abruption, a serious condition requiring immediate medical intervention to ensure the safety of both you and your baby.
Upper Abdomen or Shoulder Pain: Experiencing pain in the upper abdomen or shoulder during pregnancy, especially if it’s sudden or severe, can cause concern. Such symptoms might be associated with conditions like preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes, and Low Platelets) both of which require immediate medical attention.
Any unusual or severe pain during pregnancy should be promptly discussed with your healthcare provider to assess potential complications and ensure the well-being of both you and your baby.
While usual weight gain and mild swelling are expected during pregnancy, they can sometimes be linked to complications that demand attention. Excessive weight gain or sudden, severe swelling might signal conditions like gestational hypertension or preeclampsia, both serious issues requiring medical oversight.
Edema, characterized by significant fluid retention, could contribute to pronounced swelling, particularly in the hands and face. If you observe substantial weight gain or unusual swelling, especially when paired with other worrying symptoms, it’s imperative to communicate promptly with your healthcare provider.
The onset of blurry or hazy vision during pregnancy is a concerning symptom that warrants immediate attention. Any eyesight issues can be indicative of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure.
If you notice symptoms such as blurry vision, a dimming sensation, double vision, or flashing spots in your line of vision, it’s crucial to contact your doctor promptly.
While occasional shortness of breath is normal during pregnancy, experiencing persistent or sudden symptoms may indicate potential issues. If shortness of breath is accompanied by a rapid pulse, chest or back pain, paleness, headache, swelling, changes in vision, or a feeling of impending fainting, it becomes more worrisome.
These symptoms may suggest various conditions, such as preeclampsia (a serious pregnancy complication related to high blood pressure), a respiratory infection, a pulmonary embolism, or a deteriorating heart condition. In such cases, you must contact your healthcare provider promptly for a thorough evaluation.
If you experience profound sadness, hopelessness, panic attacks, difficulty managing daily responsibilities, or have thoughts of self-harm during pregnancy, it’s crucial to seek help immediately. Untreated depression can have negative effects on birth outcomes and neonatal health, and it may continue to persist after the birth.
Moreover, if you suddenly sense heightened anxiety and mental confusion, it could be indicative of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication associated with high blood pressure.
During pregnancy, there’s a heightened risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition where blood clots form in the deep veins of the legs. Hormonal changes make blood more prone to clotting, and the growing uterus can impede circulation, leading to blood pooling in the legs and feet.
Distinguishing DVT from regular leg cramps can be challenging, but key indicators include symptoms in one leg accompanied by redness, severe swelling, and warmth. If you experience these signs, seeking medical attention is crucial to rule out DVT and ensure timely intervention.
In the early stages of pregnancy, maintaining a stable body temperature is crucial for the proper growth and development of the baby. Any disruptions to this temperature range during early pregnancy can pose a risk of miscarriage.
As the pregnancy progresses into later stages, a higher temperature may not impact the baby as severely, but it can serve as a potential indicator of infection or other issues.
Suppose you experience a fever during pregnancy, especially later on. In that case, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare provider to investigate the cause and ensure the best possible outcomes for you and your baby.
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Ectopic Pregnancy.
2. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Bleeding During Pregnancy.
3. Healthline: All about your 1-month-old baby
4. Bayfront health: Pregnancy Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore.
5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pregnant? Don’t Overlook Blood Clots.
6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Urgent Maternal Warning Signs.
7. Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: Preeclampsia and Eclampsia.
8. More, V.S., 2017. Fever in pregnancy and its maternal and fetal outcomes: International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology, 6(12), pp.5523-5528.
9. NHS: Ectopic Pregnancy
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