Pregnancy Symptoms - You should not Ignore

Pregnancy is not just an expanding waistline. Hormonal changes during pregnancy

Pregnancy is not just an expanding waistline. Hormonal changes during pregnancy bring a lot of changes in the body that pop up from time to time. About half of all pregnant women experience nausea and sometimes vomiting –commonly called morning sickness – in the first trimester. Mood swings, sleep problems, lower back pain and swelling in the feet are also common discomforts associated with pregnancy.

But no matter how much you have read up on pregnancy, or how much advice you get from your mother or other elder family members, there are some pregnancy symptoms that should set off alarm bells. It’s important, especially if you’re pregnant for the first time, to know which symptoms should be brought to your doctor’s attention to ensure the safety of yourself as well as your unborn baby.

Reduced Fetal Movement

Between 17 and 18 weeks, most mothers start to feel their baby move. Baby movements get stronger around 24 weeks. Many pregnant women even notice that their babies are more active at certain times of the day, as the fetus begins adapting to a more regular sleep-wake cycle. But if your baby’s movements have slowed or stopped all of a sudden and you cannot feel any movement for hours, see your doctor immediately. A long absence of movement can signal low amniotic fluid, which may mean the mother is simply dehydrated and drinking plenty of water will resolve the problem. At times, a rupture in the amniotic sac can lead to leakage of the amniotic fluid causing decrease in fetal movement due to problems with nutrition and oxygen for the embryo. Plus, it increases the risk of infection. Reduced baby movement after the 38th week of pregnancy may raise the need for induced delivery to prevent the danger of the umbilical cord getting compressed, cutting off blood flow to the baby. A reduction in a baby’s movements should be taken seriously and brought to your doctor’s attention. Many women who have had stillbirths noticed their baby’s movements had slowed down or stopped.

Spotting and Bleeding

Vaginal spotting or bleeding during pregnancy can make any woman freak out. Just a spot of blood is nothing to worry about. Spotting is usually a normal sign that the embryo is implanting in the uterus. But heavy bleeding should not be ignored. It can be a sign of something serious — miscarriage, placental abruption or placenta previa. A 2009 study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology reports that heavy bleeding in the first trimester, particularly when accompanied by pain, is associated with higher risk of miscarriage. On the other hand, spotting and light episodes are not, especially if only lasting one to two days. A 2013 study published in the Journal of Family and Reproductive Health reports that vaginal bleeding in the first trimester of pregnancy may predict further maternal and fetal complications. The study also reports that second-trimester bleeding and preterm labor were significantly more prevalent in pregnant women with first-trimester bleeding. Regardless of what may be causing spotting or bleeding during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to call your doctor.

Vaginal Discharge

It’s normal to have an increase in clear vaginal discharge during pregnancy. But a significant increase in vaginal discharge or a change in the type of discharge, such as discharge that has become watery or contains blood, means it’s time to see your doctor. During the second trimester, an increase in vaginal discharge may mean the cervix is opening up early. This can be an early sign of miscarriage. If you are leaking fluid from your vagina before 37 weeks, it may mean that your water has broken early and it’s time for your baby to come into this world. After 37 weeks of pregnancy, an increase in mucus discharge indicates that it’s time to go into labor soon.