Danger Signs in Pregnancy

What are the danger signs in pregnancy?

Most women go through pregnancy without serious problems. Normal discomforts of pregnancy can include heartburn, a need to urinate often, backache, breast tenderness and swelling, and feeling tired. But there are some symptoms that may mean danger for you or the baby. It is very important for you to know these danger signs, so you can get help when you need it.

Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms before the 37th week of pregnancy:

• pain, pressure, or cramping in your abdomen
• contractions between weeks 20 and 37 that occur more than 4 times an hour or are less than 15 minutes apart
• leaking of fluid from the vagina pregnancy

Also call your provider right away if you have:

• vaginal bleeding
• very severe nausea and vomiting
• temperature of 100.0°F (37.7°C) or higher
• severe headache
• new problems with your vision
• less movement and kicking by the baby
• sudden weight gain (3 to 5 pounds within 5 to 7 days) with severe swelling of the feet, ankles, face, or hands

You should also call your provider if you have:

• blood in your urine or burning, painful urination
• diarrhea that does not go away
• vaginal discharge with a bad odor, irritation or itching

What problems might cause these symptoms?

Possible causes of these problems are:

• ectopic pregnancy
• miscarriage
• hyperemesis gravidarum (vomiting in pregnancy)
• preterm labor
• infection in pregnancy
• problems with the fetus
• preeclampsia
• toxemia
• placenta previa
• placental abruption
• bladder infection
• vaginal infection
• rupture of membranes (water breaking)
• intestinal infection

Ectopic pregnancy

Pain or pressure in the lower abdomen during the first 3 months of pregnancy could mean that the fertilized egg is outside the uterus (womb). This is called an ectopic pregnancy. The pain may be worse on one side of your belly or you may feel pain in your shoulder. You may also have faintness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. A baby cannot grow and survive in an ectopic pregnancy. Because an ectopic pregnancy can cause severe internal bleeding and be deadly to the mother, it must be ended. If it is diagnosed very early in pregnancy, the pregnancy can be ended with medicine (methotrexate). Otherwise, surgery must be done to end the pregnancy.

Miscarriage

Cramping, contractions, and bleeding during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy can be a sign of a miscarriage and possible loss of the baby. Other signs include bleeding or a gush of fluid from the vagina. Sometimes a miscarriage can be stopped with bed rest. If you do lose the baby, you need to see your provider to make sure that all of the pregnancy tissue of the uterus is out.

Hyperemesis gravidarum

Continuous, severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It can cause weight loss and the loss of fluid from the body (dehydration). It also causes the loss of important salts (sodium and potassium) and other chemicals. When this happens, you and the baby may not get enough needed nutrients and it can lead to other serious problems for you and the baby. It may require:

• staying in the hospital
• intravenous (IV) fluids to replace fluids and salts
• not eating or drinking for a short time, to rest your stomach, then slowly starting to eat foods

Preterm labor

Labor that begins between weeks 20 and 37 of a pregnancy is called preterm labor. The signs of preterm labor can be:

• contractions, either painful or painless
• pelvic pressure
• low, dull backache
• increase in or change in color in vaginal discharge
• abdominal or menstrual-like cramps that may come and go

You may be able to stop the contractions by drinking 2 or 3 glasses of water or juice and lying down with your feet elevated. If the symptoms do not go away in 1 hour, contact your provider. Your provider may give you medicines or other treatments to try to stop the contractions.

Infection

Temperature over 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) or lasts 3 days or longer could be a sign of infection or illness. This can also trigger preterm labor. The infection may need to be treated with antibiotics or other medicines.

Fetal problems

Babies begin to move early in pregnancy but most women don't actually feel these movements until about 20 weeks, or halfway through their pregnancy. Each baby has it's own particular pattern of movement. Make sure you become familiar with the pattern of your own baby's movements. If the baby stops moving around and kicking, it could mean that the baby is having problems. Drink a glass of juice, preferably orange juice. Next, lie down on your left side and look at a clock. Then count the number of times your baby moves in 2 hours, or how long it takes for you to feel your baby move 10 times. If, after 26 weeks of pregnancy, you count fewer than 10 kicks in 2 hours, or if the baby is moving a lot less than usual, tell your provider right away. You may need tests to see if the baby is having a problem. If a test suggests a problem, this does not always mean the baby is in trouble. It may only mean that you need special care until the baby is delivered.

Preeclampsia or toxemia

High blood pressure with headaches; swelling of the feet, ankles, face, or hands; upper abdominal pain; and blurred vision are some of the signs of preeclampsia or toxemia. It usually happens after about 26 weeks of pregnancy. Delivery of the baby is the best treatment. If the condition is mild and you are close to your due date, your provider may induce labor. If the baby has not developed enough, you may need bed rest at home or in the hospital until your blood pressure goes down or you and the baby are ready for delivery. You will have close monitoring by your provider until the baby is born.

Placenta previa

Heavy, bright red, painless bleeding from the vagina that begins suddenly in the last few months of pregnancy may be a sign of placenta previa. This happens when the placenta (afterbirth) covers part or all of the cervix. It can cause severe bleeding and can be very serious for the mother and baby. If the bleeding is heavy, you will need to stay in the hospital until you and the baby are stable. If the bleeding stops or is light, you will need continued bed rest until the baby is ready for delivery. If the bleeding does not stop or if preterm labor starts, the baby will be delivered by C-section. Your provider may have you avoid sexual activity during the pregnancy if placenta previa is found.

Placental abruption

Vaginal bleeding during the second half of pregnancy, sudden continuous or crampy pain in your abdomen or tenderness when the uterus is pressed can be signs of placental abruption. This means the placenta is separating away from the wall of the uterus and the baby may not be getting enough oxygen. If the separation is minor, resting in bed for a few days usually stops the bleeding. Moderate cases may require complete bed rest. Severe cases may require immediate delivery of the baby.

Remember, if you are pregnant and have any of these danger signs, call your provider right away.