Pregnancy Warning Signs: Symptoms Not to Ignore

Most of the symptoms women experience during pregnancy are normal, even if they're not exactly comfortable. They are simply the result of being pregnant. Still, it's easy to worry and wonder whether everything is okay and how to know if it’s not. Although true complications are rare, it's always good to know what to look out for. Read on for some pregnancy symptoms you should not ignore that are worth contacting your healthcare provider about.

Pregnancy Symptoms Not to Ignore in Early Pregnancy

• Vaginal spotting. Early on in the pregnancy, it can be normal to experience spotting that’s known as implantation bleeding ; however, in some cases, there could be spotting or bleeding due to a more serious condition, like an ectopic pregnancy , a molar pregnancy, or a cervical infection. Contact your healthcare provider if the spotting is heavy and is accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal or pelvic pain, extreme lightheadedness, or shoulder pain.

• Persistent or severe vomiting. Vomiting, along with nausea, can be a completely normal first trimester symptom. It’s more commonly known as “morning sickness,” but it doesn’t necessarily appear only in the morning! If, however, your morning sickness is severe (and it’s combined with other symptoms like dizziness or bloody vomit), it may be a rare condition called hyperemesis gravidarum , which requires medical attention. After the first trimester, if you experience vomiting, consult your healthcare provider to rule out anything serious and to treat the nausea.

• Urge to pee or burning sensation while you urinate. If you're finding yourself running to the bathroom a lot, but only a trickle comes out, or if it stings when you pee, it might be a urinary tract infection (UTI). Other signs of a UTI can be a fever, chills, or seeing blood in your urine. Your doctor can figure out what's going on and treat the infection to keep it from causing bigger problems. Keep in mind that frequent urination on its own is a common pregnancy symptom during the first trimester and later on in pregnancy, as your baby grows and presses on your bladder.

• Dizziness or faintness. Feeling lightheaded is pretty common early in your second trimester. Dizziness might also pop up later in pregnancy due to issues like circulation or low blood sugar. If the dizziness sticks around, you faint, or it comes with symptoms like blurred vision, vaginal bleeding, headaches, or belly pain, reach out to your healthcare provid

Pregnancy Symptoms Not to Ignore in Mid- to Late Pregnancy

• Lower abdominal pain. It's normal to worry about belly pain during pregnancy. But remember, round ligament pain is usually harmless. You might feel a dull ache or a sharp jab on either side of your belly, especially when you cough or sneeze. However, if the pain is accompanied by a fever or chills, that's a red flag. In that case, it's wise to contact your healthcare provider.

• Racing heart. It's totally normal for your heart to speed up when you're pregnant. Your heart actually pumps 30 to 50 percent more blood than usual. This extra effort ensures your baby gets enough oxygen and nutrients through the placenta. But if your heart keeps racing or you're short of breath, reach out to your healthcare provider ASAP.

• Severe headache. Headaches during pregnancy can be caused by many factors, including hormonal changes, stress, and fatigue. However, if your headache feels severe, it may be a sign of high blood pressure or the high blood pressure disorder called preeclampsia , which is a serious condition that can occur after 20 weeks of pregnancy or even after childbirth. It requires medical treatment to protect your health and the health of your baby.

• Changes in eyesight. Changes in vision, such as temporary loss of vision, blurred vision, or light sensitivity, may be linked to complications like gestational hypertension or preeclampsia.

• Unusual weight gain, and swelling or puffiness. Sudden, large weight gain (not related to overeating! ) is linked to the possibility of preeclampsia. You may notice this weight gain is combined with swelling (edema) of the face and hands. Remember, some swelling of your feet or hands may be normal but should be monitored.

• Severe pain above the stomach, under the rib cage. Stomach pain during your pregnancy (especially if it's combined with other symptoms like blurred vision, severe headaches, or nausea) may be a sign of high blood pressure and an associated condition called preeclampsia, mentioned above. Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure during prenatal visits, but if you notice any of the signs of preeclampsia, then contact your provider right away.

• Vaginal discharge. You’ll experience more vaginal discharge than you did before you were pregnant. This is usually a sticky, clear, or white discharge caused by changes in your vagina and cervix. However, you could be experiencing a vaginal infection if the color is not clear or white; if it has a bad odor; and if it is accompanied by pain, soreness, or itching. Reach out to your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.

• Lower back pain. Lower back pain is common during the later months of pregnancy. As your body prepares for delivery, the ligaments in your pelvis loosen to help your baby pass through more easily. Your growing uterus can also press on your sciatic nerve, causing sciatica pain in your lower back. This may result in discomfort in your lower back, hip, and leg. If you experience numbness in your feet, leg weakness, or severe calf pain, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

• Feeling your baby move less often. Women often begin to feel the baby fluttering, kicking, or turning sometime between 18 to 25 weeks of pregnancy. Once you’re well into the third trimester, your provider may ask you to monitor your baby's movements by tracking how long it takes to feel 10 kicks, rolls, or flutters. It may take only a few minutes, but if an hour passes without any movement, eat a light snack, lie back down, and try again. You can keep track of these movements in a notebook. If you notice an absence of movement or if your baby isn’t moving as much as usual over several days, call your healthcare provider to double-check everything is progressing well.

• Vaginal bleeding. Bleeding during your third trimester can become serious, which is why it’s very important to let your healthcare provider know right away. Bleeding can be a sign of placenta previa , which is when the placenta covers the cervix, or placental abruption, which is when the placenta begins to separate from the wall of the uterus.

• Itching all over. Intense itching that isn’t paired with a rash may be a condition commonly known as cholestasis of pregnancy, which is a liver condition that can occur in late pregnancy. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you notice an extreme itchy feeling. Remember, having itchy skin during pregnancy can also be completely normal. This is because as your baby grows, your skin stretches; as your skin stretches it can also become dry, causing areas like your belly, breasts, and thighs to itch.

• Preterm (before the end of 37 weeks of pregnancy) uterine contractions. These sensations can be perfectly normal Braxton Hicks practice contractions ; however, if your contractions persist (i. e. , don’t stop when you move or change positions) and become painful or regular, it may be a sign you are in preterm labor. In this case, it’s very important to contact your healthcare provider right away.

• Gush or trickle of fluid from your vagina (before the end of 37 weeks of pregnancy). Premature rupture of membranes, also known as your “water breaking,” can show up as a trickle, as steady leaking, or as a gush of fluid from your vagina before your pregnancy is full term. Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice this. Once you’re full term, your water breaking is a sign that labor has started.

• Vaginal spotting or discharge (between weeks 37 and 40 of pregnancy). You may experience light spotting or a pink or slightly bloody discharge. This may be an early sign of labor, indicating that the cervix has started to dilate and the mucus plug that sealed it off has begun to loosen. If the bleeding is very heavy, however, contact your healthcare provider right away.

The Bottom Line

Just keep in mind, some of these symptoms might be typical pregnancy signs, but they could also hint at something more serious. Reach out to your healthcare provider for the right advice.

If you're feeling unsure or just not quite right, it's always a good idea to check in with your provider. That way, you won't stress, and if there's an issue, it can be handled right away.

Use our Pregnancy Calendar to track your pregnancy week by week. You might also like to start thinking about establishing a birth plan by using our downloadable guide .

To get ready for the arrival of your little one, download the Pampers Rewards app to start earning rewards for all the diapers and wipes you’ll be purchasing.

How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.