Is This Normal in Pregnancy? The Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

Pregnancy comes with a lot of strange symptoms.

Cramps.

Headaches.

Swelling.

Discharge.

Back pain.

Feeling more breathless than usual.

Most of the time, there is a normal pregnancy reason behind what you are feeling.

But there are also some symptoms I want you to be aware of, because if they happen, I want you to call your maternity team.

You do not need to wait until you are sure something is wrong.

And you do not need to work out what is causing it before you call.

Call your maternity team promptly for these symptoms

Bleeding, leaking fluid or signs labour may be starting early

A little spotting can happen in pregnancy.

The cervix has more blood flow during pregnancy, so things like sex or an examination can sometimes cause light spotting.

But heavier bleeding, bleeding that continues, or bleeding that worries you should be checked.

Call your maternity team if you have:

Vaginal bleeding that is more than light spotting.

Fluid leaking from your vagina if you think your waters may have broken.

Waters breaking does not always look like a huge movie style gush.

It can be a trickle.

It can feel like you have wet yourself.

Or your underwear may keep getting wet again.

If you are not sure, call.

You do not need to prove your waters have broken before asking for advice.

Regular painful contractions before 37 weeks

If you are less than 37 weeks and think labour may be starting, contact your maternity team promptly.

You do not need to wait until contractions are perfectly timed.

If contractions are becoming regular, painful, or are happening with pelvic pressure, back pain or leaking fluid, call.

Severe headache, vision changes or sudden swelling

Headaches can be common during pregnancy.

Swollen feet and ankles can be common too.

What matters more is when those symptoms become severe, sudden or happen together.

Call promptly if you develop a severe or unusual headache, particularly after 20 weeks, especially if it comes with:

Blurred vision.

Flashing lights or seeing spots.

Sudden swelling, especially of your face or hands.

Pain under your ribs.

Vomiting.

Or feeling very unwell.

These symptoms can sometimes be linked with conditions such as preeclampsia, which is why your maternity team will want to know about them.

You are not expected to decide whether it is preeclampsia yourself.

Your job is simply to call.

Baby moving less or differently

Once you know your baby's usual movement pattern, a clear change matters.

Babies can have quieter periods.

But they should not suddenly start moving much less simply because there is less room near the end of pregnancy.

If your baby is:

Moving less than usual.

Feeling noticeably weaker.

Moving in a way that feels very different from normal.

Or you cannot feel your baby moving.

Call your maternity team.

Do not wait until the next day to see whether movement improves.

You do not need to reach a certain number before you are allowed to be concerned.

A meaningful change from your baby's usual pattern is enough reason to call.

Severe pain

Pregnancy causes plenty of aches and pains.

Ligaments stretch.

Your back can ache.

Baby can push into incredibly uncomfortable places.

But severe pain is different.

Call if you have severe or ongoing abdominal pain, pain that is getting worse, or pain that simply feels very different from your usual pregnancy discomfort.

Especially if it happens with bleeding, fever, dizziness or feeling faint.

Chest pain or sudden trouble breathing

Feeling a little more puffed walking upstairs can be part of pregnancy.

Sudden or severe shortness of breath is different.

Chest pain, struggling to breathe, fainting or feeling seriously unwell needs urgent medical assessment.

Fever or suddenly feeling very unwell

If you have a fever or suddenly feel very unwell, call.

Do not dismiss it simply because you are pregnant.

Sometimes the important thing is not one exact symptom.

It is the fact that you feel significantly different or unwell.

What if I just feel like something is wrong?

Call.

Pregnancy symptoms do not always arrive in a perfect textbook pattern.

Sometimes you cannot explain exactly what feels different.

You may simply think:

“Something does not feel right.”

That matters too.

You are never expected to diagnose yourself before asking to be checked.

If something is sudden, severe, unusual or simply feels wrong, contact your maternity team.

That is what they are there for.

The one thing to know

All of the symptoms above are reasons to call your maternity or labour unit.

You are never being too much of a bother by calling.

If you are worried, unsure, or something simply does not feel right, call.

That is exactly what they are there for.

Related articles

• Pregnancy Symptoms Nobody Warns You About

• Baby Movement: What Is Normal and When Should I Call Someone?

• Did My Waters Break or Did I Just Wee?