During pregnancy, it’s common to worry about every ache, pain, and unfamiliar feeling. But do you always need to contact your health care provider? Here is information to help you decide.
Bleeding
Up to half of all pregnant women have some bleeding or spotting during pregnancy. Although it may be common, it’s still important to let your health care provider know. Make sure you:
- Keep track of how heavy you are bleeding, if the bleeding gets heavier or lighter, and how many pads you are using.
- Check the color of the blood. It can be brown, dark or bright red.
- Don’t use a tampon, douche or have sex when you’re bleeding.
Call your provider or go to the emergency room right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Heavy bleeding,
- Bleeding with pain or cramping,
- Dizziness and bleeding,
- Pain in your belly or pelvis.
Abdominal Pain
As your baby grows, the muscles around the uterus pull and stretch. This can cause pain low in your belly. You may feel it most when you cough or sneeze. It usually goes away if you stay still for a bit or if you change to a different position.
But if your pain is severe, doesn’t go away, gets worse, or is accompanied by bleeding, you should call your provider right away.
Headaches
Headaches are common during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. They’re often caused by pregnancy hormones, stress or body tension caused by carrying extra weight throughout pregnancy.
However, headaches may be sign of preeclampsia or other complications. You should call your provider if your headache:
- Is severe or doesn’t go away,
- Comes with fever, vision changes, slurred speech, sleepiness, numbness or not being able to stay alert,
- Comes after falling or hitting your head,
- Comes with a stuffy nose, pain and pressure under your eyes or a toothache. These may be signs of a sinus infection.
Vomiting
Morning sickness is nausea and vomiting that happens in the first few months of pregnancy. Even though it’s called morning sickness, it can happen any time of day.
At least 7 in 10 pregnant women (70%) have morning sickness in the first trimester. It usually starts at about 6 weeks and is at its worst at about 9 weeks. Most women feel better in their second trimester, but some have morning sickness throughout pregnancy. If you are experiencing any nausea or vomiting, let your provider know.
For most women, morning sickness is mild and goes away over time. But call your provider if:
- Your morning sickness continues into the 4th month of pregnancy.
- You lose more than 2 pounds.
- Your vomit is brown in color or has blood in it. If so, call your provider right away.
- You vomit more than 3 times a day and can’t keep food or fluids down.
- Your heart beats faster than usual.
- You’re tired or confused.
- You’re making much less urine than usual or no urine at all.
Don’t take any medicine, supplement or herbal product to treat your symptoms without talking to your provider first. And if you are ever unsure whether or not you should call your provider, it’s better to call. Most likely your provider will be able to answer your question and put your mind at ease.
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