Your body is constantly changing when youre pregnant, but there are some changes that shouldnt happen. If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Your body could be trying to warn you that somethings wrong.
1. Flu symptoms
The flu can be easily fought by resting and drinking lots of water, but this illness is much more serious for expecting mothers. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any flu symptoms. Keep in mind that some of these symptoms, such as headaches and vomiting, are also common pregnancy symptoms. Look for changes such as body aches, chills, a runny nose and a sore throat.
Take precautions to keep you and your baby safe from the flu. Wash your hands often, eat healthy and get a flu vaccination.
2. Facial swelling
A little swelling in your ankles, feet, hands and legs is completely normal during pregnancy, but watch out for swelling in other parts of your body. If you notice swelling in your face, especially around your eyes, it could be a sign of something serious.
3. Persistent itching
Its common to feel itchy while your belly and breasts are growing during pregnancy, but persistent and intense itching could be a cause for concern. Severe itching during your second or third trimester could be a sign of a liver problem.
However, this only affects about one percent of pregnant women in the United States, so before you jump to conclusions, try some at-home methods to soothe your pain. Take an oatmeal bath, moisturize after showering, or set a cool, wet cloth on your irritated areas.
4. Painful pelvic pressure
Feeling pelvic pressure throughout your pregnancy is normal, but intense pain in that area is a sign that somethings wrong. You could feel pressure as your uterus expands and your baby grows, but if your pain makes it near impossible to talk or walk, visit your doctor immediately. It could be a sign of preterm labor, a miscarriage or that your baby is growing outside your uterus.
5. Bleeding
There are several things that could cause vaginal bleeding including implantation (when the baby attaches to your uterus), a miscarriage and sex. Implantation bleeding usually happens before you even know youre pregnant and could be mistaken for a light period. Miscarriages can happen before 20 weeks and often the causes cant be identified. Bleeding after sex can occur early in pregnancy, because your cervix is tender. If this happens, stop having intercourse until youve seen your doctor.
6. Severe vomiting
Unlike typical morning sickness, severe vomiting likely wont disappear after 14 weeks of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if youre vomiting more than three times a day, feel dehydrated or are losing weight.
7. Less baby movement
Youll start to feel your baby move between 18 and 25 weeks into your pregnancy. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference between a kick and gas, but youll start to recognize your babys movements as time goes on. When your baby starts moving regularly, ask your doctor about kick counts. He or she can teach you when and how to track your babys movement.
If you feel your baby is moving less than usual, keep a precise record of when and how long your baby moves. If youve already been keeping track, compare how much his or her kicks have changed. Talk to your doctor if your baby is kicking less than usual or has stopped moving.
Dont let anyone tell you youre just being paranoid. If you suspect somethings wrong, talk to your doctor immediately. Even if its nothing, knowing the truth can give you peace of mind, so you can focus less on being worried and more on bonding with your darling baby.
1. Flu symptoms
The flu can be easily fought by resting and drinking lots of water, but this illness is much more serious for expecting mothers. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience any flu symptoms. Keep in mind that some of these symptoms, such as headaches and vomiting, are also common pregnancy symptoms. Look for changes such as body aches, chills, a runny nose and a sore throat.
Take precautions to keep you and your baby safe from the flu. Wash your hands often, eat healthy and get a flu vaccination.
2. Facial swelling
A little swelling in your ankles, feet, hands and legs is completely normal during pregnancy, but watch out for swelling in other parts of your body. If you notice swelling in your face, especially around your eyes, it could be a sign of something serious.
3. Persistent itching
Its common to feel itchy while your belly and breasts are growing during pregnancy, but persistent and intense itching could be a cause for concern. Severe itching during your second or third trimester could be a sign of a liver problem.
However, this only affects about one percent of pregnant women in the United States, so before you jump to conclusions, try some at-home methods to soothe your pain. Take an oatmeal bath, moisturize after showering, or set a cool, wet cloth on your irritated areas.
4. Painful pelvic pressure
Feeling pelvic pressure throughout your pregnancy is normal, but intense pain in that area is a sign that somethings wrong. You could feel pressure as your uterus expands and your baby grows, but if your pain makes it near impossible to talk or walk, visit your doctor immediately. It could be a sign of preterm labor, a miscarriage or that your baby is growing outside your uterus.
5. Bleeding
There are several things that could cause vaginal bleeding including implantation (when the baby attaches to your uterus), a miscarriage and sex. Implantation bleeding usually happens before you even know youre pregnant and could be mistaken for a light period. Miscarriages can happen before 20 weeks and often the causes cant be identified. Bleeding after sex can occur early in pregnancy, because your cervix is tender. If this happens, stop having intercourse until youve seen your doctor.
6. Severe vomiting
Unlike typical morning sickness, severe vomiting likely wont disappear after 14 weeks of pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if youre vomiting more than three times a day, feel dehydrated or are losing weight.
7. Less baby movement
Youll start to feel your baby move between 18 and 25 weeks into your pregnancy. Sometimes its hard to tell the difference between a kick and gas, but youll start to recognize your babys movements as time goes on. When your baby starts moving regularly, ask your doctor about kick counts. He or she can teach you when and how to track your babys movement.
If you feel your baby is moving less than usual, keep a precise record of when and how long your baby moves. If youve already been keeping track, compare how much his or her kicks have changed. Talk to your doctor if your baby is kicking less than usual or has stopped moving.
Dont let anyone tell you youre just being paranoid. If you suspect somethings wrong, talk to your doctor immediately. Even if its nothing, knowing the truth can give you peace of mind, so you can focus less on being worried and more on bonding with your darling baby.
