Warning Signs During Pregnancy

Most pregnancies are not associated with serious complications.  However, even if a woman has a healthy lifestyle, received prenatal care, and does everything possible to have a healthy pregnancy, complications may still develop.  If a problem does develop, it is important to identify and treat it early to reduce the chance that it will become serious.  All pregnant women and women who have just given birth should be aware of the warning signs of pregnancy and postpartum problems.  These are listed below according to the time in which they are most likely to occur. 

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SYMPTONS, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE TO SPEAK TO THE PRACTITIONER ON CALL.  UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION, DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM UNLESS INSTRUCTED TO DO SO BY OUR OFFICE.  The emergency room is not set up to deal with obstetric complications.  You may be instructed to come to our office or go to labor and delivery.  Proceeding to the hospital without first notifying our office may delay your care unnecessarily.

1st Half of Pregnancy

• Vaginal Bleeding
• Cramping or abdominal pain
• Persistent low back ache with a feeling of pelvic pressure
• Pain in the neck or shoulder

2ND Half of Pregnancy

• Swelling of the face and hands, in addition to feet
• Severe headache (doesn’t go away with rest and Tylenol)
• Blurred or double vision
• Contractions before the ninth month (more than 6 in 1 hour)
• Leakage of water (amniotic fluid)
• Vaginal bleeding
• Cramping, uterus tender to touch

After Delivery

• Bleeding that is heavy (saturates a maxi pad in less than 1 hour)
  or prolonged past 4 weeks
• Fever
• Foul smelling discharge
• Tenderness in calf or behind knee, sometimes with swelling
• Rapid or difficult breathing
• Chest pain, often worsened by deep breathing
• Shortness of breath
• “Baby blues” that don’t go away after 2 weeks
• Strong feelings of depression or anger in the months after childbirth
• Pain or redness of the breast