Know-how: when to call the doctor

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.

If it's out of hours, or you would prefer to sound out a nurse before contacting your doctor or hospital, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.