The package of discomforts that an come along with pregnancy can make it difficult to know when something is actually a sign of illness, rather than just another of pregnancy's little extras. So what symptoms should you mention to your midwife at your next appointment? And when should you pick up the phone to make a special appointment to see the doctor as soon as you can?
Inform your midwife
Being familiar with common pregnancy complaints - such as over-tiredness, morning sickness, skin changes, haemorrhoids, wind and nasal congestion - and how you can cope with them, may help you draw a line between an uncomfortable pregnancy-related condition and an illness that needs a doctor's prompt attention.
Never-the-less, if you do experience physical discomforts and strains then it's wise to mention them all to your doctor or midwife at your next scheduled appointment so that they can get as full a picture as possible of your pregnancy health. Some perfectly usual pregnancy discomforts may also be a sign of a vitamin deficiency or some other underlying cause that your doctor may want to run tests for. For example, feeling weak and over-tired can be part and parcel of pregnancy, but it may also be an indication that your iron levels are low, which would need addressing.
During pregnancy your immune system is depressed, so you're more likely to pick up non-pregnancy related bugs and germs. There's no need to call the doctor for every cold and snuffle, although you do need to take care that any medications you take are safe for use in pregnancy (you can check with your midwife, doctor or the pharmacist), and for the most part you can probably get by with simply taking good care of yourself and resting. However, if you are really suffering then don't feel bad about calling the doctor and about taking some time off work to recover - your body has enough to deal with right now and your baby should be top priority.
When to call the doctor
Pregnancy-related conditions and illnesses
Besides the common pregnancy discomforts, there are a number of pregnancy-related medical conditions that may entail a risk to your pregnancy and health and do require prompt medical attention. These include hyperemesis gravida, pre-eclampsia and miscarriage. You can read more about pregnancy-related complications and illnesses here and if you think you are displaying symptoms for any of these then don't panic, but do tell your doctor as soon as you can.
Particularly, you should call your doctor or midwife right away if you experience any of the following:
- Severe vomiting and nausea that makes it difficult to keep anything down
- Severe headaches and/or headaches of a kind that you haven't experienced before
- Vision disturbances such as flashing spots or lights before your eyes
- Swelling in the hands, feet and face, particularly when sudden
- Pain in the upper abdomen that is sharp or severe
- Abdominal pain or cramping that is more severe than your period cramps
- Any vaginal bleeding
- Very itchy skin all-over or skin rashes (these are very common in pregnancy and usually of no cause for concern but should be checked by your doctor in any case)
- Pain with urination, particularly if experienced along with a high temperature or backache
- Fainting
- Significant decrease in daily fetal movement from month five onwards
Don't worry that you may be wasting your doctor's time if you feel that something isn't as it should be, it's far better to call the doctor to hear that what you're experiencing is 'normal' than it is to keep quiet about symptoms that may need attention. If in unease or doubt then pick up the phone.
