Throughout pregnancy, it is necessary to pay special attention to your health because some warning signs may appear indicating the presence of complications, such as pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
The most common warning signs are increased blood pressure, fever, persistent vomiting and vaginal bleeding, and it is important to see a doctor for diagnostic tests and check what is causing the problem.
See what to do according to each warning sign:
1. Blood loss through the vagina
When bleeding occurs during the first trimester, it may be a symptom of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
However, blood loss from the vagina in any trimester of pregnancy can also indicate problems with the placenta or premature labor, especially when accompanied by abdominal pain or back pain.
What to do: See your doctor so he can assess the health of the fetus through an ultrasound examination. Furthermore, it is important to rest as much as possible to avoid further bleeding.
2. Severe headache or blurred vision
Severe, persistent headache or change in vision lasting more than 2 hours may be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, a complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood pressure, swelling of the body and loss of protein in the urine, and which can cause premature birth or fetal death.
What to do: Try to rest and stay in a calm, dark place, and drink pain-relieving teas, such as chamomile. However, it is important to see a doctor immediately so that he can assess your blood pressure and carry out blood tests and obstetric ultrasound with Doppler, starting appropriate treatment immediately if pre-eclampsia is diagnosed. See more at: How to combat headaches during pregnancy.
3. Severe and persistent stomach pain
If the stomach pain is severe and lasts more than 2 hours, it could also be a sign of pre-eclampsia, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as body swelling, headache or changes in vision.
What to do: To try to alleviate the pain, you should drink ginger tea and eat light, easily digestible foods, avoiding fried foods, sauces and red meat. However, if symptoms persist for more than 2 hours, you should see a doctor.
4. Persistent vomiting
Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration and hinder the desirable weight gain during pregnancy, which may prevent the baby from developing properly.
What to do: To relieve vomiting, you should eat dry, easily digestible foods, such as crackers without fillings, well-cooked rice and white bread. You should also drink at least 2 liters of water a day, avoid strong spices and drink ginger tea in the morning. See more tips at: How to alleviate common pregnancy sickness.
5. Fever greater than 37.5ºC
A high fever can be a symptom of an infection in the body, normally caused by the presence of diseases such as flu or dengue fever.
What to do: Drinking plenty of fluids, resting, placing cold compresses on the head, neck and armpits, and taking paracetamol usually relieve fever. Furthermore, it is important to call the doctor and tell them about the fever, and if the temperature exceeds 39ºC, you should go to the emergency room.
6. Burning or pain when urinating
Burning, pain and urgency to urinate are the main symptoms of urinary tract infection, a very common disease during pregnancy, but which, when left untreated, can cause complications such as premature birth and reduced growth of the baby.
What to do: Drink at least 2 liters of water a day, wash your hands well before and after using the bathroom and don’t hold urine for too long. In addition, you should see your doctor so he can prescribe antibiotics to fight the infection and avoid complications. See more about urinary tract infections during pregnancy.
7. Itchy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Itchy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge is an indicator of candidiasis or vaginal infection, common problems during pregnancy due to the change in vaginal pH with pregnancy hormones.
What to do: See a doctor to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with ointments or antifungal medicines or antibiotics. Furthermore, it is important to always wear cotton panties and avoid very tight clothing and daily protectors, as they encourage the development of infections.
8. Severe pain in the lower belly
The presence of severe pain in the lower part of the belly may be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, premature labor, fibroids or placental abruption.
What to do: See your doctor to identify what is causing the pain and rest as much as possible until appropriate treatment begins.
9. Decreased fetal movements
The absence or sudden reduction of the baby’s movements for at least 12 hours may indicate that the baby is receiving less oxygen or nutrients, which could cause premature birth or neurological problems in the baby.
What to do: Encourage the baby to move, feed, go for walks or lie down with their legs up, but if no movement is detected, see a doctor so they can assess the baby’s health using an ultrasound. See more at: When the baby’s reduced movement in the belly is worrying.
10. Excessive weight gain and increased thirst
Exaggerated weight gain, increased thirst and the urge to urinate can be signs of gestational diabetes, a disease that can lead to premature birth and health complications for the baby.
What to do: See your doctor to take a blood glucose test and start appropriate treatment with changes in diet, use of medication and, if necessary, use of insulin.
It is important to remember that in the presence of any warning sign, even if symptoms improve, the doctor must be informed so that appropriate treatment can be carried out and follow-up appointments can be scheduled to assess the progress of the problem and the baby’s health.
Sign up for our newsletter and stay up to date with exclusive news
that can transform your routine!
