Pregnancy is one of the stages that can most mark a woman’s life, not only because a new life is created but also because the female body undergoes many hormonal, biochemical, and morphological changes, which can vary in intensity depending on each woman. . In general, complications in pregnancy are rare and are usually accompanied by symptoms that it is best to be clear about to avoid unwanted complications. Also, some pre-existing difficulties can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy. At FastlyHealwe, tell you more about the danger signs during pregnancy that you should not ignore and the chronic conditions you should consider.
Table of Contents
Warning signs in pregnancy that you should not ignore
Fever
It can be a symptom of infection; you should consult the medical service and avoid self-medication. In the following article, you can find out what to take to reduce fever in pregnancy.
Vaginal bleeding
During pregnancy, there should be no bleeding (little or heavy) in any of the stages of pregnancy. It is necessary to go to the nearest emergency center if this occurs.
One of the first symptoms of pregnancy can be blood loss or a slight vaginal spotting called implantation bleeding, which occurs due to the implantation of the ovum in the uterus and usually lasts about 3 or 4 days.
Previous discharge of amniotic fluid
This exit is normal from week 38 and means the beginning of labor; it is necessary to go to the hospital to give birth. The discharge of amniotic fluid before week 38 is abnormal and should be evaluated by the emergency department, regardless of whether it is abundant or scarce.
Lack of baby movements
From the fourth or fifth month, mothers will begin to feel the movements of the baby in their womb, which will start to increase in frequency as the baby grows, although in the weeks close to birth, the signs may decrease due to the limited space available, they should never stop. The lack of movements or the decrease in frequency should be consulted with the medical service in the shortest possible time.
Headaches and other associated symptoms
A headache and other accompanying symptoms, such as ringing, dizziness, blurred vision, noise in the ears, or swelling in the hands and feet, can be caused by increased blood pressure, leading to preeclampsia. High blood pressure can be severe for both the pregnant woman and the baby during pregnancy.
Severe abdominal pain
The emergency service has to assess the increase in the frequency and intensity of pain in the abdominal area or if it occurs suddenly and constantly.
Seizures
Any seizure should be treated as a medical emergency. Seizures can result from increased blood pressure, which can have many pathogenic implications for the baby and the mother.
Infections in the genitourinary tract
These infections are relatively common in a woman’s life, can present both asymptomatic and symptomatic (fever, burning when urinating, vaginal secretions, bad smell), and can be harmful to the baby. It is necessary to attend to the controls to avoid damage to the fetus. In the following article, you can see the symptoms and treatment of urine infection in pregnancy.
Pre-existing conditions that can complicate pregnancy
Several pre-pregnancy conditions can increase the risk of pregnancy. Below we explain the most common ones so that you have more attention to the danger signs that we have described previously:
- Teenage pregnancy and late age may be at high risk of complications. Complications can be both social and biological, the result of immaturity or senescence of the reproductive system—for example, the higher the gestation age, the baby’s risk of developing down syndrome increases.
- The number of previous pregnancies also plays an important role. Women with more than four deliveries are at a higher risk of complications.
- Malnutrition states, such as malnutrition and obesity, can affect the normal development of the baby because it does not have the necessary nutrients for its proper growth.
- Although they are not curable, some diseases can be managed by medications. Some of these medications may be contraindicated for pregnancy.
- Cardiovascular diseases. During pregnancy, the woman’s body has to undergo many changes; one of them is the increase in the amount of circulating blood to nourish both the body of the pregnant woman and that of the baby. Women with pre-existing cardiac conditions, such as high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, heart attacks, arrhythmias, and atrial septal defects, among others, should have frequent and intense prenatal control that reduces the risk of complications.
- Communicable maternal diseases. Some infectious diseases can cross the placental barrier and affect the baby’s development. Some can be avoided, like toxoplasmosis. Others, like HIV, are incurable but controllable. It is necessary to have constant medical monitoring that reduces the risk of vertical contagion of infectious diseases.
Tips to keep in mind if you are pregnant
- If you have any symptoms, it is best to see your doctor as soon as possible. It is not only your life that is in danger but also that of your baby.
- Although any woman who is not going through menopause can have children, the risk of complications during pregnancy increases significantly after the age of 35.
- Not all drugs can be used during pregnancy; check the type and dose of drugs you are taking with your doctor.
When to go to the emergency room while pregnant
Pregnancy is when we pay more attention to our body than usual, causing us to notice sensations and discomforts that, although perhaps before we felt, we used to ignore. But taking into account the importance of the baby’s health, it is essential to consider what the symptoms may not warn that something is wrong. To begin with, it is always advisable to go to the doctor too much than never go; there they will give you the necessary guidelines to know what may be important. Anyway, below we explain the danger signs by trimester and when to go to the emergency room while pregnant :
When to go to the doctor in the first trimester
- If you experience menstruation-like vaginal bleeding during pregnancy, it should not be confused with implantation bleeding.
- Very intense pain in the lower abdomen area.
- Vomiting and nausea prevent you from eating or drinking for more than 12 hours.
When to go to the doctor in the second trimester
- If you feel abdominal pain that is not relieved even with rest from time to time.
- Very marked changes in how the baby moves or not noticing your movement for a long time.
- She was bleeding like that of the rule.
- Feel the sensation that you are losing fluids.
- Pain in the entire belly intensely.
When to see a doctor in the third trimester
In the third trimester, the reasons why you should go to the emergency room are very similar to those in the second. However, you must add all the symptoms of starting to go into labor, such as contractions or breaking waters:
- Sudden weight gain, with swelling in the ankles and legs.
- Terrible headache
- Very intense itching on the skin, basically on the feet and hands, which becomes even more intense at night.
You also have to add conditions such as fever or any other disease that would make you go to the doctor even without being pregnant.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Danger signs in pregnancy that you should not ignore , we recommend that you enter our Pregnancy and baby health category .
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.