discharge becomes foul smelling. Bloody discharge could
Vaginal bleeding be an indication that you are going into labour or miscarrying. If you are over 37 weeks into your pregnancy, an increase in discharge is normal and can be a sign that Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can be a frightening you are going into labour. experience. There are a number of reasons bleeding can occur, so it’s important to determine what is causing it. If Breaking of waters you have spotting very early on, it could be the embryo When the protective membrane or sac containing your baby implanting into the uterus and this is nothing to be and the amniotic fluid breaks open, we call it the breaking of concerned about. It could also be infection in your cervix. waters or rupture of membranes. This usually occurs during Your placenta lying close to or over the cervix (placenta labour, before you deliver your baby. However, if this praevia), a miscarriage, or your cervix opening is more happens, and you aren’t full term, it’s important to go serious causes of bleeding. If you have pain with bleeding, straight to your doctor. If this happens too early in your it could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. Either way, if pregnancy, you are at risk of an infection or even a you have bleeding, it is always safest to call your doctor miscarriage. Occasionally, pregnant women mistake urine and get it checked out. leakage for their waters breaking, but it’s always best to be Excessive nausea and vomiting safe and get checked if you feel a gush, or even a trickle, of water. Nausea and vomiting are quite common, particularly in the first trimester, due to all the pregnancy hormones that your Contractions body releases. However, excessive nausea and vomiting You will experience Braxton Hicks contractions throughout could be a sign of something more serious such as your pregnancy – these contractions are short, mild and hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme form of morning sporadic. Braxton Hicks contractions are normal and to be sickness. If you can’t keep anything down, there’s the risk expected. If you are over 37 weeks and getting closer to that you may become dehydrated. Call your doctor if you your due date, you may feel some mild and irregular find your nausea and vomiting to be excessive. There is contractions – these are perfectly normal and signal that medication that can help. However, if you become severely your body is preparing for labour. However, if you have true dehydrated, your doctor may want to put you on an contractions before you are full term, it is best to be intravenous drip to rehydrate you. examined by your doctor, and for your baby to be monitored, as you could be going into preterm labour. True contractions become stronger, last longer and become Raised temperature rhythmic, so you need to go to the hospital immediately to stop labour. Any fever in pregnancy needs to be taken seriously. You may have an infection or illness unrelated to pregnancy. A Burning or stinging when urinating fever is considered to be a temperature of 37.5°C or higher. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in pregnancy. If If it isn’t accompanied by any other symptoms, you could try you feel burning or stinging when you urinate, it could be a managing it with paracetamol. If it hasn’t gone away after a sign that you have a UTI. Make an appointment to see your day or two, see your doctor as you may need other doctor as you will need a prescription for antibiotics to treat medication, such as antibiotics, to treat an infection. If your the infection. If a UTI is left untreated, it could lead to a fever reaches 39°C, contact your doctor immediately. kidney infection as well as an increased risk of preterm labour. Leg or calf pain Pain in the abdomen Sudden pain of an unknown cause needs to be seen to immediately, even more so if the pain is accompanied by Cramps in your legs are quite common, but it’s important to vaginal bleeding. Vaginal bleeding with stomach pain can be aware of what a cramp feels like as opposed to severe be a sign of a possible ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. pain that can be caused by something like deep vein The sooner you seek medical attention the better thrombosis (DVT) due to a blood clot in your leg. It is possible that you could develop DVT during pregnancy, Reduced fetal movements which presents as pain in your calf that doesn’t go away Most first-time moms start to feel fetal movements from (despite flexing your foot and walking around). One leg may around 16 to 22 weeks into pregnancy. If it isn’t your first also be more swollen than the other. It is safest to consult pregnancy, you may even feel them sooner than this. All your doctor. babies have a different pattern of activity, so if you find that your baby stops moving as much as he used to, it’s best to see your doctor. Decreased movement could be an Vaginal discharge indication that your baby is becoming distressed due to a It is never advisable to ignore an increase or change in your lack of nutrients or oxygen. It’s best to have your baby vaginal discharge. It may become watery, mucousy or even monitored to ensure all is well. bloody, and these changes could signify an infection that may need to be treated with antibiotics – especially if the