With so many physical, hormonal, and emotional changes taking place during pregnancy, you’re probably dealing with various pregnancy symptoms ranging from morning sickness to mood swings.
Although most pregnancy symptoms are merely uncomfortable, you might be unsure when to call your doctor or midwife. However, things may go wrong sometimes, and when that happens, it’s wise to take immediate action.
Here is a list of 10 symptoms you should call your doctor about right away.
1. Absence of Fetal Movement
When you’re more than 24 weeks pregnant, your baby begins to move, and this movement only increases as the pregnancy progresses. Although there’s no hard and fast rule about the number of kicks or somersaults you should feel, your baby should move at least ten times in two hours, once a day.
If your baby stops moving or makes less movement than usual, it could signify that she is in distress. In case you don’t feel any fetal movement or notice a decrease in fetal movement (less than ten moves per two hours), you should immediately call your doctor.
2. Spotting or Heavy Bleeding
Moderate bleeding within the first two weeks following conception is common since the fertilized egg implants itself in the uterus. This kind of bleeding usually goes away in most women; however, some continue to have spotting and bleeding even after the mentioned period. Other potential causes of spotting or heavy bleeding include infection, such as UTI, or sexual intercourse.
If you experience any vaginal spotting or heavy bleeding that lasts more than a day, especially during the second and last trimester, there could be a problem in your uterus. It would be wise to consult your doctor in such a situation.
3. Extreme Fatigue or Dizziness
You may feel a little more tired than usual during pregnancy. If you experience severe dizziness or fainting spells, it is advisable to consult your doctor. This may be a sign of dehydration, low blood pressure, decreased blood glucose, and low hemoglobin levels.
4. Severe Abdominal Pain
When you’re pregnant, you may experience some abdominal pain occasionally. But if the pain is severe, intermittent, or constant, and doesn’t go away with fetal movement, it’s best to let your doctor know. Especially in the later months of your pregnancy, it could be a sign of preterm labor.
5. High Fever
A mild fever is not a big deal during pregnancy. But if you’re running a fever over 101°F that doesn’t respond to Paracetamol, you shouldn’t ignore it and contact your doctor. It may be a sign of some infection present in your body, which can lead to a severe pregnancy issue later on.
6. Lack of Sleep
Pregnancy brings several bodily discomforts and hormonal changes to your body, which may disrupt your sleep quality. Poor sleep can make you feel exhausted and tired all the time and eventually lead to problems such as gestational diabetes and hypertension. Consult your doctor to find a solution to your sleep problems during pregnancy.
7. Vision Problems
You might experience dry eyes during pregnancy, and that’s quite normal. If you face vision disturbances like blurring, dimming, and double vision, it could be a sign of preeclampsia – a pregnancy condition caused by high blood pressure. Contact a doctor immediately because preeclampsia can cause you to have a seizure or a stroke.
8. Loss of Appetite
A loss of appetite in pregnancy is usually caused by nausea and morning sickness. However, the prolonged loss of appetite can deprive the body of the essential nutrients, which are crucial for the proper growth and development of your baby. If you experience a loss of appetite for an extended period, it is better to contact your doctor.
9. Swelling/Itching
Slight itching and swelling are common during pregnancy due to the enhanced supply of fluids and blood to the skin. However, excessive swelling on the face, hands, ankles, legs could be a sign of high blood pressure, whereas severe itching indicates your liver is not functioning properly. In both cases, it is advisable to seek medical advice to avoid critical health issues.
10. Contractions
And finally, if you experience labor symptoms, especially between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy, you should immediately call your midwife or doctor. These include contractions every ten minutes or less for 1 hour.
Contractions may indicate many different problems, such as preterm labor, miscarriage, Braxton Hicks contractions, ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, uterine rupture, infections, and more. Since it may be hard to tell the difference between “false labor” pains and true labor, calling your doctor always remains the safest option.
Pregnancy can be a critical time, especially for first-time moms. You should be attentive to these signs, which may warrant instant medical care. In any case, even if you’re unsure about calling your doctor, trust your gut and know it is sensible not to take any chances and better to seek reassurance.
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