Pregnancy can be overwhelming for first-time parents, as there’s so much to learn. Along with morning sickness, many aches and pains, and a growing belly, it’s difficult to distinguish between what’s normal and what’s not. Thankfully, most pregnancies go along without any major complications, but when symptoms arise, it’s crucial to spot the warning signs. Some of these seemingly innocent symptoms can turn into what mothers and babies would never want to see; however, they can be reversed—or at least stabilized—if mothers intervene early in the process. Sadly, many parents don’t know when an ER visit is warranted or if they can wait until the next routinely scheduled appointment.
Severe Headaches That Don’t Go Away
Headaches are common in the first trimester due to hormonal changes. As the body works hard to create a healthy environment for the fetus, however, there’s a fine line between headaches one might experience as part of pregnancy and those that are more complicated.
For example, severe headaches that are unresponsive to normal care or non-stop recurrence can indicate high blood pressure or pre-eclampsia. Pre-eclampsia occurs during 3-5% of pregnancies and can be life-threatening if untreated. It usually happens after a woman reaches 20 weeks but before delivery, causing the placenta to detach from the uterine wall.
The headaches are intense and consistent. Generally, they can be paired with other complications, such as vision changes (spots or blurry vision), nausea or extreme swelling of hands and face. Still, headaches that fail to subside after paracetamol and rest are warning signs that a trip to the ER is necessary.
Heavy Bleeding and Severe Cramping
Light spotting may occur with some pregnancies in the first trimester, but heavy bleeding should never be ignored. Heavy bleeding with cramps, especially if accompanied by other unusual symptoms, can indicate a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancies occur in about 1 out of 100 pregnancies and are life-threatening when fallopian tubes rupture. The bleeding will appear heavy on one side, accompanied by severe pain on one side of the abdomen (or center) and shoulder pain—plus dizziness, fainting, or weakness.
In the third trimester, heavy bleeding can indicate problems with the placenta: placentation previa or placental abruption. Both can be extremely traumatic for mothers and babies—extreme blood loss for mothers and lack of oxygen to the baby due to detachment (or improperly placed attachment).
Bleeding of any kind is never normal and doctors need to assess any pregnancy bleed immediately—no questions asked. When families experience devastating loss due to missed warning signs or inadequate medical response, seeking support through a Stillbirth Claim may help them find answers and ensure their baby’s memory leads to better care for other families.
Sudden Swelling and Rapid Weight Gain
Swelling in the feet and ankles is typical as delivery day approaches. However, sudden swelling of the hands and face around the eyes can indicate pre-eclampsia or something else.
Pre-eclampsia develops over time, but sometimes it hits women suddenly. Therefore, warning signs include greater than 2-pound weight gain in one week (along with swelling) or in the mornings it is worse after a night of sleep—or—swelling of the face and hands without relief from elevation. This swelling affects blood flow to the placenta.
Thus, pre-eclampsia can leave babies stunted in growth and oxygen supply. If untreated, it can develop into eclampsia (seizures) as a mother-to-be’s blood pressure rises exponentially because her body fights against itself—and potentially kills mother and baby in the process.
Persistent Vomiting and Inability to Keep Food Down
Morning sickness is common for most women who carry a child, primarily in the first trimester. However, if this turns into continuous vomiting where women are unable to keep anything down—or suffer from dehydration—it could be hyperemesis gravidarum.
Hyperemesis gravidarum affects about 1-2% of pregnancies; it’s when women constantly get sick to their stomachs—and beyond what normal means would happen. They might experience extreme weight loss (or gain) due to dehydration. This leads to electrolyte imbalances dangerous for both mother and child.
Signs include inability to keep anything down for 24 hours; loss of weight greater than 5%; dizziness/fainting upon standing; dark urine due to dehydration. Such symptoms need immediate professional intervention (and sometimes hospitalization) via IV fluids and medication.
Severe Abdominal Pain and Contractions
Some discomfort is common for women as they carry growing babies—their bodies change naturally! But severe pain on one side—consistent cramping with intensity—can signal something’s wrong.
In early pregnancy, extreme abdominal cramping on one side may signal ectopic pregnancies (referenced above)—especially if heavy bleeding occurs or it’s accompanied by shoulder pain. However, toward the end of pregnancy, it can signal placentation abruption.
Women start to feel uncomfortable around 37 weeks due to Braxton Hicks contractions. Still, consistent contractions preceding this—with pelvic pressure/low back pain/vaginal spotting—can indicate preterm labor. This requires immediate medical attention to try and postpone delivery!
Decreased Fetal Movement
Once women reach their second trimester (around 16-25 weeks), they begin feeling their babies move or kick during the day. Although they sleep often—there’s a pattern that soon-to-be mothers pick up on.
A reduction in kicks (or none at all) requires immediate professional evaluation. Decreased movement should occur after 28 weeks per awareness of movement via daily kick counts. If babies moving routinely stop kicking for two hours—or if it’s been over two hours since they’ve kicked when usually active—warning signs need addressing.
Babies rely on cords, placentas or other means of survival. If stunted movement occurs—or women’s bodies note what’s unusual—it should be brought immediately to their professionals’ attention.
Fever and Signs of Infection
Fever in the general public should garner attention. For pregnant women, fevers signal potential risk (to the mother as well). Should temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit)—accompanied by chills or body aches—getting help immediately is key.
For example, urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common during pregnancy—even when you think they’re not! Symptoms include fever; burning/frequent urges/lower abdominal pain; left untreated—typically—to kidney infections that signal preterm labor/the like.
Transmissible STIs and other infections from dirty food/listeria demand attention when it comes to mothers and their unborn children.
When Warning Signs Are Overlooked by Medical Teams
While professionals are trained to help avoid such complications and symptoms by assessing conditions that don’t respond well when proper assessments aren’t adhered to well or advocacy fails—the family suffers forever!
Knowing what warning signs justify immediate medical intervention helps mothers advocate for themselves/babies better. Therefore, if you see something, say something—even if it doesn’t seem “that bad,” there’s no reason not to get help!
Ultimately, a good pregnancy is all about prevention! The more people know about avoidable complications beyond natural birthing—and why it’s important to pay attention at every step—the better lives will be in-person!
