All expecting mothers want to give birth to healthy babies as smoothly as possible and your OB gyne is the best person to help you do that. If you’re wondering if and when to call your doctor, it’s generally never a bad idea. However, there are certain pregnancy risks and complications that always warrant talking to your OB.
Pregnancy risks and complications: when to seek medical help
Pregnancy can be such an exciting time for moms but it can also be incredibly tense and challenging. There will always be times when you second guess yourself and wonder if something is amiss. Trust us, it’s perfectly fine to be praning when it comes to your baby’s health and your own as well. The best way to deal with this, really, is to have regular discussions with your OB gyne to know what you need to look out for and what to do if these things happen.
Here’s a list of pregnancy risks and complications that need medical attention:
- Bleeding or spotting
Spotting is when you occasionally notice a few drops of blood in your underwear, or when a little blood gets on a tissue when you wipe yourself. This type of bleeding can occur early or later on in your pregnancy, and while it is common, it is still best to contact your doctor if you experience it at any time during pregnancy. - Pain
Right side pain is also another common occurrence in pregnant women. Usually these are caused by muscle strain, digestive issues (gas, constipation, and bloating), or cramps and can be easily managed. However, sharp, one-sided pain, or intense pain that does not go away with movement needs immediate medical attention. - Contractions
A term pregnancy takes about 40 weeks to complete. So if you are at 37 weeks or earlier and are experiencing contractions more frequently than 10 minutes apart, you need to call your doctor immediately as this may be a sign of premature labor.
If you think you are experiencing signs of premature labor, lie down tilted towards your side with a pillow placed on your back for support, then check the minutes that elapse from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next. If you observe having six or more uterine contractions in one hour, call your doctor immediately. - Gush of fluid
When you’re pregnant, you may feel like everything leaks and it could be urine, vaginal fluid, or amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid leakage, however, is what you should watch out for.
Amniotic fluid is the warm, fluid cushion that supports and protects your baby as they grow in the womb. This important fluid carries immune system cells, hormones, nutrients, and your baby’s urine. To tell the difference between amniotic fluid and other discharges, it is odorless, clear, white-flecked and/or tinged with blood or mucus.
Leaking amniotic fluid can be dangerous for you and the baby at any point during your pregnancy.Call your doctor ASAP if you think your membranes are leaking or may have ruptured, or as it is commonly called, “water breaking”. Call also if the fluid appears brownish yellow or green-tinged, which can indicate that your baby had a bowel movement in the womb, which may cause breathing complications when they are born. - Less Baby Movement or Baby Moving Less
A lot of pregnant women begin to feel fetal movements between 18 and 25 weeks of pregnancy. First-time moms tend to feel movement later than moms who have already given birth before. But many moms worry when they are not able to feel their babies move.
As you are further along and reach your third trimester, you should be able to feel your baby move regularly. At this point, you should begin to pay closer attention to your baby’s movements, because as your pregnancy continues, a sudden change in the amount of fetal movement may be a red flag.
If you observe fetal movement less often than what you think is normal, your doctor may ask you to keep track of the fetus’ movements through “kick counts” or fetal movement counting, which you can do at home. There are different ways to do kick counts; your doctor will instruct you how often you have to do it and when to notify them.
A common dilemma of expecting mothers: what should you call your OB about and when, and what’s a possible emergency and what isn’t. That’s why as early on in your pregnancy as you can, it’s a good idea to set up a protocol for emergencies with your OB gyne. This way, you will know which signs and symptoms are perfectly normal and shouldn’t worry about– and red flags that require medical attention sooner rather than later.
Sources:
https://www.health.ny.gov/community/pregnancy/why_is_40_weeks_so_important.htm
https://www.acog.org/en/Patient%20Resources/FAQs/Pregnancy/Bleeding%20During%20Pregnancy
https://www.parents.com/pregnancy/giving-birth/signs-of-labor/am-i-in-premature-labor/
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/leaking-amniotic-fluid#call-your-doctor
https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/special-tests-for-monitoring-fetal-well-being
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