It’s true that some expectant mothers, even an innocent headache, can cause a panic attack. During pregnancy, there are often moments of anxiety – sometimes justified, other times less so. Don’t be paranoid, but there is no doubt that pregnancy is a time when you need to pay more attention to your health than ever before. Therefore, the worse approach is to underestimate some symptoms, assuming in advance that it is normal during pregnancy. How do you know when it’s time to see a doctor? We present 7 disturbing symptoms that are not worth ignoring!
- The baby does not move as before – a decrease in the activity level of your growing little one in your tummy can be a cause for concern. This is often a signal that the baby is not getting enough nutrients and oxygen. Fortunately, there are methods that can help you diagnose this problem at home and make sure you’re okay: drink something cold, then lie on your side. Lie down and watch your baby move. If your baby moves less than 2 times in 10 hours, go to the doctor for a checkup.
- The departure of the waters – when you suddenly feel something running down your leg, it can be both amniotic fluid and urine that leaks as a result of the uterus pressing on the bladder. To identify discharge, go to the bathroom and try to have a bowel movement. If the leak continues, the water has started to break, so consult your doctor.
- Headaches and abdominal pain – as well as vision disorders that appear during the third trimester. These can be signs of pre-eclampsia, which is potentially fatal, so do not delay and see your doctor as soon as possible. In addition to abdominal pain and headaches, vision problems and swelling, there is high blood pressure and excess protein in the urine.
- Flu During cold season, pregnant women are at a much higher risk of infection. Pregnancy affects the immune system, so even after recovery, various health complications may arise. If you notice a cough, sore throat, fever, sneezing, nausea, runny nose, diarrhea or vomiting, call the doctor, but try not to come to the office right away (there is a risk that you will spread the disease to other pregnant women). It is not a very dangerous condition, but it is good to get vaccinated against seasonal flu in advance.
- Cramps in the beginning of the third trimester – regular contractions, occurring every 10 minutes or more, which gradually increase in intensity, may be a sign of premature labour. Future mothers often confuse them with false contractions – these are unpredictable, non-rhythmic and often pass within an hour.
- Bleeding – no matter where you are in your pregnancy, bleeding during pregnancy is always a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention. It can mean different things: heavy combined with contractions – in the first or early second trimester of pregnancy, it can mean a miscarriage; strong with severe abdominal pain, fainting and menstrual cramps in the third trimester – may mean an ectopic pregnancy, which is life-threatening; bleeding and abdominal pain in the third trimester – premature separation of the placenta from the uterus.
- Vomiting and nausea making it impossible to eat or drink – do not take any medications on your own, contact your doctor. If you vomit so much that you are unable to swallow, it is a cause for concern, even if the problem occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy. Without consulting a doctor, you run the risk of dehydration, malnutrition and thus may lead to premature birth or birth defects in the child.