Pregnancy is a joyful process, but it is also a physically and mentally challenging journey. Not only will your body undergo countless subtle changes (some of which may be unpredictable and vary from person to person), but every contraction or pain will also bring inevitable panic and worry about what might be happening. However, doctors want to tell expectant mothers that it is important to relax! Because the majority of pregnancies will be safely carried to term.
However, is it possible for the unknown and unexpected to happen? Of course, it is possible. So, it is necessary and important for expectant mothers to be able to recognize the warning signs of abnormal conditions. It is important to be careful when certain discomfort or abnormal symptoms appear.
If you experience the following reactions, it is best to immediately go to the hospital with the accompaniment of your family.
1. Severe vomiting
Most cases of morning sickness during early pregnancy can be uncomfortable and distressing, but they do not pose any particular harm.
However, if you vomit severely and frequently to the point where you cannot drink water or urinate, you must go to the hospital immediately. Because:
Severe vomiting and difficulty in taking in fluids can lead to severe dehydration, which is detrimental to both expectant mothers and fetuses.
This condition may also be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum. This is the most severe form of morning sickness and can last throughout the entire pregnancy.
In addition, if you cannot eat for two consecutive days, or suspect food poisoning, or vomit accompanied by high fever, you must seek medical attention immediately. In these cases, you usually need to go to the hospital for IV fluids examination to confirm the diagnosis.
2. Severe lower abdominal pain
For expectant mothers before 12 weeks of pregnancy, if you feel severe (intense) tightness on one side of your abdomen and you are about to undergo an ultrasound examination, you should inform the doctor of this condition.
The doctor will first investigate whether you have an ectopic pregnancy, which means the fertilized egg has implanted in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
If this pain worsens or recurs in the future, you should still seek medical help in a timely manner, as it could be either regular contractions or an episode of appendicitis.
3. Bleeding
This is a relatively well-known danger signal. Doctors still want to remind expectant mothers that if you experience vaginal bleeding at any time, you should go to the hospital immediately.
In mid-pregnancy or late pregnancy, vaginal bleeding may indicate a tear in your placenta or other problems that require ultrasound diagnosis.
Although most people associate bleeding in pregnant women with miscarriage, the majority of bleeding during pregnancy does not lead to long-term problems. Especially in cases of bleeding before 12 weeks of pregnancy (as long as it is not heavy bleeding), it is unlikely to be a sign of miscarriage. Therefore, if expectant mothers notice bleeding, they should not panic, but rather seek medical attention as soon as possible.
4. Severe headaches or general body swelling
If you only experience severe headaches during early pregnancy or frequent migraines, it may not be a major problem. Similarly, as pregnancy progresses, if you experience some swelling in your ankles, it only indicates the retention of fluid in your body.
However, if you suddenly have a very severe headache during mid-pregnancy or late pregnancy, or if your hands and face swell strangely and do not subside, you need to go to the hospital immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
This phenomenon is likely a precursor to preeclampsia (also known as pregnancy-induced hypertension).
In addition, another sign of pre-eclampsia is sudden blurred vision. If this occurs, it is also important to inform your doctor promptly.
5. Excessive fluid discharge from the vagina
This is also a well-known danger signal. If, in the days leading up to delivery, fluid is discharged from the vagina, it is likely a sign of impending labor and your water breaking. You should immediately lie flat and go to the hospital. If it occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy (at any time), the sudden gushing of fluid from the vagina is likely a rupture of the amniotic sac, indicating that the baby may be born prematurely.
