Warning Signs of Complications during Pregnancy

Most women have a healthy pregnancy and deliver healthy baby. However, it is better to know the warning signs of complications during pregnancy. If you experience any of the following symptoms, immediately contact your doctor or rush to a hospital. In this articleVaginal BleedingSevere Nausea or VomitingDecrease in Baby’s MovementHigh Blood Pressure (BP)Contractions Early in Third TrimesterUnusual Vaginal DischargeBreaking of Water BreakingOther Serious Symptoms Which Require Immediate Medical CareVaginal BleedingBleeding at different trimesters has different reasons. It can vary from very light pink spotting to red or brown heavy bleeding.First TrimesterSpotting or bleeding with cramps can be a sign of “miscarriage”. Bleeding with cramps and strong abdominal pain is a sign of “ectopic pregnancy” (when fertilised egg implants itself in a place other than uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes).Second TrimesterAlthough bleeding is less likely to happen in second trimester, however, heavy bleeding with cramps is a sign of miscarriage.Third TrimesterHeavy bleeding with strong abdominal pain indicates placental abruption (when placenta separates from the uterine lining) or placenta previa (when placenta covers the cervix). This can occur in late second trimester also.Severe Nausea or VomitingVomiting is very common and most women experience this in all trimesters. However, it is a warning sign if it gets too severe or persistent or if it is accompanied with pain or fever. You may become dehydrated when all that you eat or drink is thrown out, harming you and your baby.Decrease in Baby’s MovementOnce you notice the baby is moving regularly and suddenly you feel that the baby is moving kicking less than usual, you can yourself find out if this is a warning sign or baby’s low energy level.Eating something or drinking something, and then lying on your side may get the baby moving.Monitoring baby’s movement and counting kicks can also help you in determining this (your doctor can help on how to count kicks).High Blood Pressure (BP)If your BP shoots up very high or if the protein level in urine goes high, you are likely experiencing a serious condition called preeclampsia, where the face, feet or hands swell suddenly. You may also have severe headache, abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, visual changes, dizziness, reduced urine or no urine. This usually occurs in later second trimester or third trimester. It is easier to manage if detected early.Contractions Early in Third TrimesterContractions early in third trimester can be a sign of preterm labour. You need to be sure of true or regular contractions and not false contractions. False contractions do not increase in intensity and often subside in an hour or with water or food intake. True or regular contractions are 10 minutes apart and increase in intensity. You should immediately seek medical care.Unusual Vaginal DischargeExperiencing increase in vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy. But if it is accompanied by odd smell, itching in vaginal area, pain and/or burning sensation then it can be a sign of a vaginal infection. You must immediately report to your doctor if such signs or any unusual symptoms are observed.Breaking of Water BreakingYou may experience vaginal discharge, but it is possible that increased uterus caused the bladder to leak the urine out. Immediately after this, empty your bladder and if the water continues to leak, you may have broken the water. Contact your doctor or rush to the hospital.You may also experience watery, mucousy, or bloody discharge. Although it may be normal during pregnancy but it indicates that you can go into labour soon.Other Serious Symptoms Which Require Immediate Medical CareFever or Flu in the first trimester accompanied with chills or muscle aches can be due to an infection, such as such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasma and parvovirus.Pain or burning during urination can be due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).Leg or calf pain or swelling on one side can be due to a blood clot.Women who already have medical problems, such as thyroid, diabetes, high BP, or asthma, need to be more alert if these conditions worsen.Fall or accident or any injury to your lower abdomen.Increase in heartbeat.Breathing difficulty, blood while coughing or chest pain.Sever constipation or diarrhoea accompanied with abdominal pain.Severe itchiness in your body.Feeling depressed or experiencing panic attacks.During pregnancy it is difficult to judge whether what you are experiencing is normal or severe. So, you must contact your doctor immediately to avoid complications. Have a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Vaginal Bleeding

Bleeding at different trimesters has different reasons. It can vary from very light pink spotting to red or brown heavy bleeding.

First Trimester

Spotting or bleeding with cramps can be a sign of “miscarriage”. Bleeding with cramps and strong abdominal pain is a sign of “ectopic pregnancy” (when fertilised egg implants itself in a place other than uterus, usually in one of the fallopian tubes).

Second Trimester

Although bleeding is less likely to happen in second trimester, however, heavy bleeding with cramps is a sign of miscarriage.

Third Trimester

Heavy bleeding with strong abdominal pain indicates placental abruption (when placenta separates from the uterine lining) or placenta previa (when placenta covers the cervix). This can occur in late second trimester also.

Severe Nausea or Vomiting

Vomiting is very common and most women experience this in all trimesters. However, it is a warning sign if it gets too severe or persistent or if it is accompanied with pain or fever. You may become dehydrated when all that you eat or drink is thrown out, harming you and your baby.

Decrease in Baby’s Movement

Once you notice the baby is moving regularly and suddenly you feel that the baby is moving kicking less than usual, you can yourself find out if this is a warning sign or baby’s low energy level.

Eating something or drinking something, and then lying on your side may get the baby moving.
Monitoring baby’s movement and counting kicks can also help you in determining this (your doctor can help on how to count kicks).

High Blood Pressure (BP)

If your BP shoots up very high or if the protein level in urine goes high, you are likely experiencing a serious condition called preeclampsia, where the face, feet or hands swell suddenly. You may also have severe headache, abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, visual changes, dizziness, reduced urine or no urine. This usually occurs in later second trimester or third trimester. It is easier to manage if detected early.

Contractions Early in Third Trimester

Contractions early in third trimester can be a sign of preterm labour. You need to be sure of true or regular contractions and not false contractions. False contractions do not increase in intensity and often subside in an hour or with water or food intake. True or regular contractions are 10 minutes apart and increase in intensity. You should immediately seek medical care.

Unusual Vaginal Discharge

Experiencing increase in vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy. But if it is accompanied by odd smell, itching in vaginal area, pain and/or burning sensation then it can be a sign of a vaginal infection. You must immediately report to your doctor if such signs or any unusual symptoms are observed.

Breaking of Water Breaking

You may experience vaginal discharge, but it is possible that increased uterus caused the bladder to leak the urine out. Immediately after this, empty your bladder and if the water continues to leak, you may have broken the water. Contact your doctor or rush to the hospital.

You may also experience watery, mucousy, or bloody discharge. Although it may be normal during pregnancy but it indicates that you can go into labour soon.

Other Serious Symptoms Which Require Immediate Medical Care

Fever or Flu in the first trimester accompanied with chills or muscle aches can be due to an infection, such as such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasma and parvovirus.
Pain or burning during urination can be due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).
Leg or calf pain or swelling on one side can be due to a blood clot.
Women who already have medical problems, such as thyroid, diabetes, high BP, or asthma, need to be more alert if these conditions worsen.
Fall or accident or any injury to your lower abdomen.
Increase in heartbeat.
Breathing difficulty, blood while coughing or chest pain.
Sever constipation or diarrhoea accompanied with abdominal pain.
Severe itchiness in your body.
Feeling depressed or experiencing panic attacks.

During pregnancy it is difficult to judge whether what you are experiencing is normal or severe. So, you must contact your doctor immediately to avoid complications. Have a healthy and safe pregnancy.