Serious health problems in pregnancy: what to do
Pregnant women with signs, symptoms or experiences listed in this article might have serious health problems that need urgent medical attention.
If you notice any of the signs below, call your midwife, doctor or maternity hospital as soon as possible.
Call an ambulance by phoning 000 if you’re very concerned about your health or your baby’s health or if you go into labour but you’re not close to your due date.
Signs of serious health problems in pregnancy
Bladder or vagina
- Fluid leaking from your vagina
- Discharge from your vagina that’s more than usual or smelly
- Bleeding from your vagina
- Discomfort, pain or burning when you urinate
Breathing
- Shortness of breath, even when you’re resting
- Chest pain
- Persistent pain when breathing
‘Bump’, tummy or back
- Severe pain or cramping in your belly or back
- An injury or physical blow or trauma to your tummy area – for example, from a fall, car accident or family violence
- Pain under your ribs
- A change in your baby’s movement pattern – your baby has stopped moving or they’re moving less than usual
Emotional wellbeing
- Anxiety symptoms that are distressing or difficult to control
- Signs of depression that last longer than 2 weeks
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- Difficulty coping with everyday activities like showering and eating
- Serious problems in your relationship – for example, family violence
- Overwhelming tiredness
Head
- A sudden or severe headache that doesn’t go away or gets worse
- Dizziness or fainting
- Sudden changes to your vision, like blurred vision or lights flashing in front of your eyes
- Confusion or difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
Legs, toes, fingers, hands and skin
- Severe swelling in your face, hands or feet, which comes on suddenly and rapidly
- Worsening or sudden swelling and pain in one or both legs
- Severe skin itching, including on the palms and soles of your feet
Other
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- A temperature of 38°c or higher
- Chills
- A seizure
You might feel that something ‘just isn’t right’ or you might feel very unwell, even if you don’t have any of the signs above. It’s important to get checked out by your health professional, so that you can get treatment or help as soon as possible – or be told that everything is OK. If you can’t reach your own midwife, doctor or maternity hospital by phone, go to a GP clinic or the nearest public maternity hospital.
When you have serious health problems in pregnancy
You’ll be seen by a health professional – probably your midwife or doctor – to check your health and your baby’s health. They might recommend certain tests like blood tests, a urine test or an ultrasound scan.
Depending on these checks, your midwife or doctor might refer you to a specialist or send you to your maternity hospital, if you’re not there already.
In some cases, your midwife or doctor might recommend that you have surgery or treatment or that you have your baby early. They’ll talk to you about what’s safest for you and your baby.
Your midwife or doctor might also recommend more frequent antenatal appointments, if you or your baby has a condition that needs regular check-ups.
Signs that labour might start soon include a show, your waters breaking, more pressure around your uterus and pelvis, more Braxton Hicks contractions and cramping in your lower pelvis.
How to avoid serious health problems
There’s no way to stop some pregnancy health problems from happening.
But you can reduce your chance of having serious pregnancy health problems – or stop health problems from getting worse – by going to your antenatal appointments and telling your midwife or doctor about any symptoms or problems. The earlier you tell them, the better.
Most health problems in pregnancy are mild and common, but sometimes these problems need medical attention. It’s always best to talk about symptoms or problems with your midwife or doctor.