During your pregnancy, many symptoms can make you worry. Some pregnancy concerns are normal while others should be reported to your doctor immediately. Here are the most common concerns during the pregnancy and some indications on when you should absolutely talk to your doctor.
Most common pregnancy concerns
Vaginal hemorrhage
This might be light bleeding like menstruation and would be called spotting. Blood could be pink, red or brown.
If the bleeding is active and associated with a pelvic pain, don’t waste time and contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital. Hemorrhage is a common symptom for miscarriage, infection or ectopic pregnancy.
In both cases it is highly recommended to consult a healthcare specialist and tell him everything you are experiencing.
Cramping
During pregnancy your uterus, ligaments and muscles are stretching making it hard for you to tell the difference between regular abdominal or back pain and growing pain. If you do have a painful sensation of any sort, rest. If it is still persistent after few minutes, report to your doctor or a healthcare specialist.
Abdominal pain in pregnancy are very normal and should not worry you while sever pain can be a symptom of some complications. The real challenge is to be able to qualify correctly what you feel.
Gush of liquid
If you’re close to your due date, this is the first sign that you’re in labour. However, if you’re not expected to deliver soon call your doctor with no delay and go to the emergency.
Pain while urinating
Known as UTI, urinary tract infection can be treated by medication. It is not something to be worried about as it is very common during pregnancy. Your belly is growing and pushes against your ureters making it difficult for them to flow through; this can induce UTI. Some time you won’t feel the pain, but you will smell a foul odor while you pee.
If you have any doubt, talk to your doctor and share your concerns.
Not feeling the baby moving
It’s normal not to feel the baby moving for few hours but if this lack of motion lasts over 12 hours you should call your doctor.
Swelling
It is normal during your pregnancy to experience moderate swelling in your feet and ankles due to the extra weight and the fluid retention. Sudden swelling of the feet, as well as the face, is a warning sign of preeclampsia, which can affect 7% of pregnant women.
Blurred vision
Blurred vision in conjunction with seeing spots or not can be a sign of high blood pressure. This is a symptom of preeclampsia or ectopic pregnancy.Both are very serious conditions. While blurred vision is one of the rarer pregnancy concerns, it should be investigated immediately.
Dizziness
Normally you shouldn’t worry unless you feel that your dizziness is permanent. During pregnancy, you are supposed to feel dizzy from time to time when you stand up after laying down or when changing position. However, if your dizziness comes and goes without changing position and tend to be more permanent, it might be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.
Fever
Low fever around 100 degrees that seems to be persistent or when it gets over 102 degrees should be reported immediately to your doctor.
Severe Vomiting
Vomiting and morning sickness is often cited as one of the most common pregnancy concerns. Vomiting once a day is not a cause for concern, regardless of the stage of your pregnancy. If you are vomiting more than once a day and you remain nauseous, you should be contacting your doctor or a health care specialist.
Keep in mind that morning sickness can start severe and ease up by the second trimester.
Itchiness
Itching is common during pregnancy due all the changes the body is experiencing. However, if you feel sever itchiness in the palms of your hands and soles of your feet at the same time as having a dark urine and pale stools, you should contact your doctor.
