Warning Signs of Danger in Pregnancy

Most women will have normal pregnancies with no pregnancy complications whatsoever. It is important, however, to learn the warning signs that something is wrong. Your doctor or midwife should alert you to potential problems that may be specific to your situation, but the general warning signs apply to every pregnancy, even the low-risk variety.

Your midwife or doctor will routinely screen for potential problems throughout pregnancy during your prenatal care visits. The blood pressure and urine testing that is done, as well as other potential tests, will help you know if you are in a higher risk category for some of the more common.

Dangerous Symptoms to Watch For

If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to call your practitioner immediately. They can advise you as to what further steps may be necessary or help you rule out the more serious complications. Delaying care may also make the situation more serious than if care had been begun when you first noticed the symptoms.

Danger Signs in Pregnancy
Symptom	Potential Problem	Other possible causes
Vaginal Bleeding	Miscarriage, placental abruption, placenta previa	Hormonal bleeding, Implantation bleeding
Pelvic or Abdominal Pain	Miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, abruption	Cyst, uterine growth, round ligament pain
Persistent Back Pain	Miscarriage, preterm labor	Kidney/bladder infection, cyst, normal pregnancy pain
Gush of Fluid from Vagina	Preterm labor, preterm rupture of membranes, miscarriage	Leaky bladder, watery mucous
Swelling of the Hands/Face	Preeclampsia, Ecclampsia	Swelling
Severe Headaches, Blurry Vision	Preeclampsia, Ecclampsia	Headaches caused by hormonal changes or stress
Regular Contractions prior to 37 Weeks	Preterm labor	Gastric upset
No Fetal Movement	Fetal distress, Fetal Demise	Slowed movements, anterior placenta

It is important to remember, that while there may be other causes for your symptoms that are worrisome, you should not neglect to get professional advice. There are subtle things that can distinguish something from being not a big deal to something that is a major complication. This is why it is important for you to work with your doctor or midwife to get the best care possible.

During your prenatal visits, they will conduct screenings to see that you are within normal limits for the basic risks. They will also help you figure out what you might be more at risk for based on your health history and your lifestyle. They can also provide you with advice on helping to lower those risks by diet, exercise, and other measures.

When you call your practitioner, be sure to give them enough information to help them determine when and where to see you. Sometimes it will wait until your next appointment. Other options include being seen in the office on the same day, a trip to the emergency room, or a trip to labor and delivery, depending on how far along you are and what symptoms you are experiencing.

You and your practitioner will work together to have the safest outcome for you and your baby.

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Article Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

March of Dimes. Warning Signs of Preterm Labor.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Indian Health Services. Medical Complications of Pregnancy and Related Postpartum/Neonatal Problems. G. Gilson, N. Murphy and T. Harris.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Warning Signs During Pregnancy.
Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. Gabbe, S, Niebyl, J, Simpson, JL. Sixth Edition.