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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.
If you have any of the following symptoms before the 37th^ week of pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider right away:
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:
Bleeding as heavy as a period Very severe nausea and vomiting Fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher Severe headache New problems with you vision Less movement and kicking by the baby Sudden weight gain with sever 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
What problems might cause these symptoms?
Possible causes of these problems are:
Ectopic pregnancy Miscarriage Hyperemesis gravidarum Preterm labor Infection in pregnancy Fetal distress 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. This is called an ectopic pregnancy. The pain may be worse on one side of your belly or you may feel it in your shoulder. You may also have faintness, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. A bay cannot grow and survive in an ectopic pregnancy. Because an ectopic pregnancy can cause severe bleeding and be life threatening to the mother, it must be ended. If it is diagnosed very early in pregnancy, the pregnancy can be ended with medicine (methotrxate). Otherwise, surgery is done to end the pregnancy.
Miscarriage
Cramping 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 contents of the uterus are removed.
Hyperemesis gravidarum
Extremely severe, ongoing nausea and vomiting is called hyperemesis gravidarum. It causes weight loss and the loss of fluid from the body (dehydration). 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 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 are:
Contractions, either painful or painless, that occur more than 4 times an hour, or are less that 15 minutes apart 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 medicine to stop the contractions.
