If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant, contact your gp in the first instance.
After 14 weeks, while it’s normal to have slight contractions through pregnancy (this is when you feel your stomach tightening and relaxing), if you experience a sudden pain that won’t go away, contact your local maternity unit or maternity triage.
Pregnancy Worries
Women’s bodies go through a lot of changes during pregnancy. But while some periods of discomfort and irritation can be self-managed, others should be checked out by your GP or midwife.
Abdominal Pain
Bleeding
Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common, however it can be a sign that something is wrong, especially if it is accompanied by pain.
Contact your local maternity unit or maternity triage.
Contact your local maternity unit or maternity triage.
Diarrhoea, vomiting or high fever
Any sudden ‘acute’ illnesses should be referred immediately to your GP or NHS 24.
Headaches or Dizziness
This may indicate increased blood pressure.
Contact your local maternity unit or maternity triage
Contact your local maternity unit or maternity triage
Pain when passing urine
This could be a sign of infection which will need treatment.
Drink plenty of fluid and contact your GP within 24 hours.
Drink plenty of fluid and contact your GP within 24 hours.
Reduced Movements
If you feel your baby is moving around less frequently or slowing down contact maternity triage or your local midwifery unit without delay.
Severe Itching
While itching is common in pregnancy, severe itching on the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, (particularly in the last four months of pregnancy) can be a sign of a liver disorder.
Contact your community midwife.
Contact your community midwife.
Swollen ankles or hands
Normally common but any sudden changes should be reported to your GP or midwife as it could be a sign of pre-eclampsia – high blood pressure and fluid retention in pregnancy.
Vaginal Discharge
A discharge that is smelly or bloodstained may point to infection and should be referred to your midwife or GP.
Pelvic Pain
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is the general term for all pelvic pain. It includes pubic pain and pain anywhere from the lower back down to the thigh, either at the front or back. The pain may range from a mild ache to severe pain that limits your daily activities.
This may start at any time during pregnancy, labour or in the weeks after giving birth. Discuss with your midwife.
This may start at any time during pregnancy, labour or in the weeks after giving birth. Discuss with your midwife.
