Pregnancy Magazine Subscriptions under $10.00 per year
You're Pregnant, What are the Signs that You Should Call the Doctor?
By Rochelle Caviness
Pregnancy can be a time of worry and concern, as well as joy and hope for the future. There will be times during your pregnancy when you may not feel that 'thing are going right'. When in doubt call your doctor immediately - it is better to be over cautious than to be too complacent.
What to mention to your doctor
Throughout your pregnancy you should keep a pad and pencil handy on which to jot down questions that you have for your doctor. You should also note any unusual symptoms that you are experiencing, such as:
- Excessive heart burn
- Shortness of breath
- Pain - anywhere on your body
According to the American Medical Association, being able to communicate your symptoms and concerns to your doctor is a vital aspect of your medical care. If you have difficulty talking about certain subjects related to your pregnancy, consider bringing someone else (such as your spouse) with you to your appointments to help you explain your problems and to offer moral support.
Signs that you should call your doctor
While you may not want to bother your doctor with every little question or twinge that you have, there are times when a call to your doctor is warranted. These include,
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Vaginal leakage of fluid
- Increased vaginal discharge
- If your face, hands or feet begin to swell
- Persistent or severe headaches
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Lack of movement of the fetus or if the fetus is not moving as much as normal
- Painful urination
- Nausea or vomiting not related to morning sickness or if the vomiting is severe
- Chills
- Severe pain, especially in the abdominal area or in your shoulders.
- Unusual weight gain
Signs that you should go to the emergency room
If you suffer from any of the above symptoms and you are unable to contact your doctor, you may wish to visit the emergency room. This can be imperative if the symptoms are of long duration.
If you present any of the following symptoms of preterm labor or miscarriage, go to the emergency room immediately or call 911 for assistance. If the baby is born prematurely, it will have a better outcome if born in a hospital setting. Some warning signs preterm labor:
- Vaginal discharge that is thick and mucus like
- Dull or sharp pains in you lower back
- Sharp abdominal pains
- Vaginal bleeding
- The passage of large amounts of tissue or clumps
- Cramps
- If you feel as if the baby is bearing down
- Rhythmic uterine contractions
- Your water breaks
You should also go to the emergency room if you,
- Faint or feel dizzy
- Suffer Seizures (Seizures, blurred vision and headaches can all be a sign of preeclampsia, which is a rapid onset of high blood pressure.)
- Vaginal hemorrhage (Maternal hemorrhaging requires immediate medical intervention. According to Dr. Elizabeth H. Morrison, although it is not as common as it once was, hemorrhages still account for over 13% of all maternal deaths.)
- Bright red vaginal bleeding
- Severe headache
- Severe abdominal pain
- You become dehydrated
- Your vision becomes blurry or if everything begins to appear dim
- You feel the umbilical cord slipping out of the vagina. This is called Cord prolapse and can result in the blood supply being cut to the baby
- If you face, hands or feet begin to swell rapidly
After the birth
You should also seek medical treatment at an emergency room if your bleeding increases, if you are hemorrhaging, or if you are passing large sized (golf ball sized or larger) clots or if you are passing blood that is very bright red in color. Medical assistance should also be sought if you faint or suffer from severe pain or abdominal tenderness.
- You should also contact your doctor if your breasts become red, sore, and you have fever, this can be a sign of mastitis.
- You should also call your doctor if your vaginal discharge takes on a foul odor.
- Other reasons to call your doctor include rapid heart rate, difficulty urinating, or if you are bleeding from an incision (such as from a c-section).
The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only.
Always consult your doctor for medical advice.
|
Copyright © Tundraco & Tundraco.com 2003 - 2007 - All Rights Reserved
