When Should I Call My Doctor During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it's essential to be aware of potential complications. While most pregnancy symptoms are normal, some may indicate a more serious issue. If you're feeling unwell and unsure about the severity of your symptoms, it's always best to consult your healthcare provider.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention:
- Sudden or severe abdominal pain: This could be a sign of a serious issue, such as ectopic pregnancy or preterm labor.
- Heavy vaginal bleeding: Any significant bleeding during pregnancy requires immediate medical attention.
- Decreased fetal movement: If you notice a significant decrease in your baby's movements, contact your doctor immediately. Refer to the Why haven’t I felt my baby move? FAQ about counting movement.
- Fever over 101°F: Fever can be a sign of infection, which can harm both you and your baby.
- Persistent vomiting: Severe and persistent vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
- Difficulty breathing: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing can be a symptom of pregnancy complications.
- Swelling in your face, hands, or feet: Sudden swelling may indicate preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy condition.
- Vision changes: Blurred vision or sudden vision changes can be a sign of preeclampsia.
- Severe headaches: Headaches, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like vision changes or swelling, may indicate preeclampsia.
When to Contact Your Doctor:
- Vaginal discharge with a foul odor: This may indicate an infection.
- Urinary tract infection (UTI) symptoms: Burning or pain during urination, frequent urination, or cloudy urine.
- Persistent back pain: While some back pain is normal during pregnancy, persistent or severe pain may require evaluation.
- Excessive fatigue: While fatigue is common, extreme tiredness may indicate anemia or other underlying health issues.
- Water breaking: It may be a big gush or a small, continuous leaking of fluids.
- “Bloody Show”: This pink or brown-tinged mucus plug discharge signals your cervix is dilating and effacing (thinning). It’s also a sign you are headed towards labor, which could be hours or days. After a “bloody show”, you wait for your contractions to begin.
- Regular Contractions: If your contractions are increasing in intensity and are happening in shorter periods, contact your provider or go to the hospital.
Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution. If you have any concerns about your health or your baby's health, don't hesitate to contact us or your healthcare provider. Choose The Gabrielson Clinic’s maternity center for high-quality prenatal care in Central Iowa. We’re always here to answer any questions about your pregnancy.
For immediate assistance, please call our on-call OB nurse at 515-602-9804.