Women & Families

Urgent symptoms in pregnancy & after birth

Serious pregnancy-related problems can occur during pregnancy and up to a year afterwards. Tell the care team about recent pregnancy.

A guide to understand and prepare

Urgent symptoms: act now

Chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, collapse or fainting.
Severe or worsening abdominal pain; heavy bleeding, especially with weakness or faintness.
In pregnancy or after birth: persistent severe headache, vision changes, fever, or marked swelling of the face or hands.
One-sided painful or swollen leg or arm; severe vomiting or inability to keep fluids down.
Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking in pregnancy, or baby movements that slow or stop.
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby: seek urgent professional support. If anyone is in immediate danger, get emergency help now.

Contact emergency or maternity care promptly. Do not wait for an app result or your next appointment. Mention any pregnancy within the past year. This list is not exhaustive; seek care if something feels seriously wrong.

CDC — Maternal warning signs (internet)

Understand the concern

Other warning signs include vision changes, fever, one-sided limb swelling, leaking fluid or reduced fetal movement.

What assessment may involve

These symptoms need professional assessment, not a reassuring app result.

Care options to discuss

Contact emergency or maternity care now. If you cannot reach your team, seek emergency care.

These are discussion points, not a prescription. Suitability and availability vary.

A question you may have

Can I wait for the next appointment?

Do not delay urgent assessment.

Prepare for your appointment

What to record

Tell the team what changed and when.

Questions worth asking

Who should I call urgently during pregnancy and after birth?

Open my health plan

About this information

Editorial update: 4 October 2026
Clinical reviewer: Not assigned — approval pending
Arabic language review: Pending
Next editorial review target: 4 January 2027 · earlier for reported errors
Country applicability: General education. No country edition has been clinically approved.

Sources are linked below each guide. Publication is not clinical approval. Updates and corrections require another content review.

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