Call 911anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have severe vaginal bleeding. You have soaked through one or more pads in an hour, and the bleeding is not slowing down.
- You have sudden, severe pain in your belly that does not go away.
- You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have a seizure.
- You see or feel the umbilical cord.
- You think you are about to deliver your baby and can't make it safely to the hospital or birthing center.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have vaginal bleeding.
- You have belly pain.
- You have a fever.
- You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
- You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in your leg or groin.
- A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish.
- You have symptoms of preeclampsia, such as:
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
- New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
- A severe headache that will not go away.
- You have a sudden release or slow trickle of fluid from your vagina. This may mean your water has broken.
- You notice that your baby has stopped moving or is moving less than normal.
- You have signs of heart failure, such as:
- New or increased shortness of breath.
- New or worse swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
- Sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week.
- Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
- You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
- Pain in your low back (below the rib cage and above the waist).
- Blood in your urine.
- You have signs of active labor. During active labor, contractions:
- Happen more often and at regular intervals (about every 3 to 5 minutes).
- Last longer (about 60 seconds or more).
- Get stronger and are hard to talk through.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You have vaginal discharge that smells bad.
- You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
- You have skin changes, such as a rash, itching, or a yellow color to your skin.
- You have other concerns about your pregnancy.