When to Call the Doctor During Pregnancy
It’s normal to have anxiety during your pregnancy about the physical changes you’re experiencing.
So many of these sensations during pregnancy can seem ambiguous:
Is light spotting during early pregnancy normal, or is it a sign of an early miscarriage?
Is a nagging headache just from stress, or is it something more serious?
How can you tell the difference between what is normal during pregnancy and when you should take action?
Is my weight gain during pregnancy normal, or is it due to OHSS during pregnancy?
Symptoms During Pregnancy | When to Call the Doctor? |
Vaginal Bleeding or Spotting During Pregnancy | |
Slight spotting that goes away within a day | Next visit |
Any spotting or bleeding that lasts more than a day | Same day |
Moderate to heavy bleeding during pregnancy | Immediately |
Any amount of bleeding during pregnancy accompanied by pain, fever, or chills | Immediately |
Pain During Pregnancy | |
Occasional pulling, twinging, or pinching sensation on one or both sides of the abdomen | Next visit |
Occasional mild headaches | Next visit |
Moderate, bothersome headache that won’t go away | Same day |
Severe or persistent headache, especially with dizziness, faintness, or visual disturbances | Immediately |
Moderate or severe pelvic pain | Immediately |
Any degree of pelvic pain that doesn’t subside | Immediately |
Pain with fever or bleeding | Immediately |
Vomiting During Pregnancy | |
Occasional | Next visit |
Once every day | Next visit |
More than two or three times a day | Immediately |
With pain or fever | Immediately |
Other Symptoms During Pregnancy | |
Chills or fever (temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit/38.8 Celsius or higher) | Immediately |
Painful urination | Immediately |
Steady or heavy discharge of watery fluid from the vagina | Immediately |
Sudden swelling of face, hands, or feet | Immediately |
Visual disturbances (dimness, blurring) | Immediately |
In making these judgments, your doctor is your primary resource.
At your very first visit, ask for a list of the symptoms that she or he wants to hear about right away. Then you’ll have an idea of what your doctor considers an emergency.
If you’re still unsure about other symptoms, you can rely on the other care providers in your doctor’s office.
At your office visits, learn the names of the nurses, nurse-practitioners, physician assistants (PAs), and other staff you see most often.
Then, if something comes up that has you worried, you can ask for someone by name or by title. The staff will know from your symptoms whether to consult your doctor.
The bottom line, though, is this:
When in doubt, call your doctor.
It’s better to have a needless worry eased than to have a real source of concern ignored out of embarrassment or fear.
