10 Pregnancy Symptoms you should Never Ignore

Would you ignore a sudden ache or give a 3 a.m. call to your doctor? Here is a list of symptoms that must be returned with an appointment with a doctor. If, however, you are experiencing an unusual change in the body, which is not listed here, don’t ignore giving that important call to your doctor. 

Some of these symptoms are urgent depending on your health history or particular situation. Ask your doctor or midwife to review the signs that warrant immediate attention.

1. Spotting or vaginal bleeding.  
2. Your baby makes constant movement inside the womb. This, of course, applies to the time of pregnancy when your baby has grown enough to start moving. Ask your practitioner or midwife if you must monitor the baby’s activity by counting the kicks. The practitioner or midwife will tell you how to count and when you must give him/her a call.
3. Change in the type of vaginal discharge or increase in its quantity. After 37 weeks, the increase in vaginal discharge is normal and is an indication that you will go into labour soon. Call the doctor when the discharge is watery, bloody or mucousy.
4. Pelvic pressure, abdominal pain or a feeling that your baby is pushing down. Lower back pain, especially if you are experiencing one for the first time. More than four contractions in an hour before 37 weeks. Excessive and prolonged menstrual cramping.
5. Little or no urination; painful or burning urination.
6. Visual disturbance such as blurry vision, double vision, flashing lights, dimming, excessive floaters or sports in your field of vision. Headache accompanied by slurred speech, blurred vision or numbness.
7. Persistent or severe cramp in the legs or calf that does not ease despite flexing the ankle, pointing the toes towards your nose or walking around. Watch out for any swelling on either leg. If one is more swollen than the other, call in your midwife or doctor.
8. Persistent itching of the torso, legs, arms, soles or palms, which is intense and does not go away despite constant rubbing.
9. If you are nearing the due date, ask your midwife to review the signs of labour so that you can avail medical facilities beforehand.  
10. Vertigo, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, breathing problems, coughing, chest pain etc that lasts for a long period and frequents in the middle of the night.