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Pregnancy Warning Signs: When to Call Your Doctor

Symptoms that need prompt medical advice and should never be ignored.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

Most pregnancies go smoothly, and many symptoms are harmless. But some signs mean you should be checked quickly. If you are ever unsure, call your midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away, at any time of day or night. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

Call emergency services (911, 999/112 or 000) if you have

• Heavy vaginal bleeding, such as soaking a pad in an hour, with or without pain
• Severe belly pain, or sudden sharp pain on one side with shoulder tip pain or feeling faint, which can be signs of an ectopic pregnancy
• Difficulty breathing, chest pain or a racing heart
• A seizure (fit), or you have collapsed or lost consciousness
• Thoughts of harming yourself. In the US and Canada, call or text 988. In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• A serious injury, car accident or fall, even if you feel fine

Call your doctor or maternity unit the same day if you have

• Any vaginal bleeding, even light. In early pregnancy, see our guide to spotting, cramps and discharge.
• Fluid leaking from the vagina, either a gush or a trickle, which could mean your waters have broken
• Reduced movement from your baby, or a change in their usual pattern. Never wait until the next day or "see how it goes". See our guide to baby movements.
• Regular tightenings or contractions, or a lot of pelvic pressure, before 37 weeks
• A severe or persistent headache that does not ease with rest and paracetamol
• Blurred vision, flashing lights or spots in front of your eyes
• Sudden swelling of the face, hands or feet, or pain just below the ribs on the right side. These can be signs of pre-eclampsia. See our guide to pre-eclampsia.
• A fever of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher, or chills
• Severe or persistent vomiting, and being unable to keep down food or fluids, or signs of dehydration
• Burning, pain or blood when passing urine, or pain in the back or side with fever, which can be a kidney infection
• Severe itching, especially on the palms and soles, particularly at night. It can be a sign of a liver condition called obstetric cholestasis.
• Pain, swelling, heat or redness in one leg, particularly the calf, which can be a sign of a blood clot
• Unusual or foul-smelling discharge, or vaginal itching or soreness
• Severe constant abdominal pain, or a hard, tender belly

By trimester

First trimester: bleeding with cramps, severe one-sided pain, dizziness or fainting, and persistent vomiting need checking. Our guide to ectopic pregnancy symptoms explains the signs.

Second trimester: bleeding, fluid leaking, regular tightenings and severe pain should be checked at once. From around 20 weeks, a vaginal discharge that changes or becomes watery can signal a problem.

Third trimester: reduced baby movements, bleeding, leaking fluid, headaches with vision changes and itching all warrant a call. Learn the difference between Braxton Hicks and real contractions.

Your baby's movements

Most women feel their baby move from about 16 to 24 weeks. By 28 weeks, you should be aware of a regular pattern. A baby's movements do not slow down towards the end of pregnancy. If your baby moves less than usual, or you cannot feel any movement, call your maternity unit immediately. Do not use a home Doppler or wait for the next day.

Mental health warning signs

Feeling very low, anxious, hopeless or unable to cope for more than two weeks is also a reason to seek help. See our guide on mental health in pregnancy.

If you are not safe at home

If anyone is hurting you or controlling you, tell your doctor or midwife in private, or call a domestic abuse helpline. Pregnancy can be a time when abuse starts or gets worse.

What to tell the team when you call

• How many weeks pregnant you are
• What your symptoms are, when they started and how bad they are
• Any medical conditions or complications you have
• When you last felt your baby move

Have your maternity notes handy, and ask someone to come with you if you can. If you are told to go in, do not drive yourself if you feel unwell.

You know your body best

If something feels wrong, even if it is not on any list, get it checked. Your care team would always rather see you and find nothing than miss a problem.

Where to check current advice

Always follow the advice from your own maternity unit, and check the latest guidance from the NHS and RCOG in the UK, the HSE in Ireland, ACOG in the US, the SOGC in Canada and RANZCOG in Australia.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.