Pregnancy Symptoms; When to Worry
Congratulations on your pregnancy! It’s an exciting and emotional time. There are many changes happening in your body right now and some of them may give you cause for concern. It’s normal to be worried, especially if you had difficulty conceiving or have had a miscarriage in the past. It’s important to remind yourself that many of these changes are normal and that most pregnancies are healthy.
There are some symptoms that are not normal and you should pay attention if they occur. Knowing what is worrisome will help you take optimal care of yourself and your pregnancy. Any time you are concerned about what’s going on or what you are feeling, it ok to call and speak to your doctor.
Vaginal bleeding
It is not normal to have any bleeding during pregnancy. However, up to 1/3 of women experience some bleeding during their pregnancies and are not necessarily having a problem. If you experience heavy vaginal bleeding combined with painful cramping or sharp, lower abdominal pain, call your doctor. You will most likely be brought in to the office for a physical exam, ultrasound exam and blood work. The big concern here is to make sure you are not miscarrying or have an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. Some women are Rh negative and will need Rhogam to prevent Rh sensitization. Most women will have a viable ongoing pregnancy and be told to restrict their activity until there is no bleeding for seven days. Specifically, no sex, exercise, heavy lifting or prolonged standing.
Excessive nausea and vomiting
It’s normal to have some nausea due to the heightened sense of smell that develops during the first trimester. Most women will feel queasy when they smell a strong scent (e.g., fish), but it is not normal to be vomiting daily. As the pregnancy hormone hCG rises, some women find their nausea worsening and begin vomiting. If you are vomiting daily, call your doctor. There are safe prescription medications to help control your symptoms.
Fever
A temperature greater than 101 F during pregnancy could be due to an infection. Having a fever, could adversely affect your fetus. Treat your fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is safe during pregnancy and call your doctor. Be sure to let them know if you have a rash, body aches or other symptoms also.
Vaginal discharge
It is normal to have clear or thin white vaginal discharge during pregnancy. However, if there is an odor, vaginal itching or the discharge is another color, you may have an infection. It’s important to treat vaginal infections since they could affect the fetus. Call your doctor to address these concerns. You will probably need a pelvic exam and possibly a vaginal or cervical culture.
Remember, try to relax and enjoy your pregnancy. This is one of the most exciting times in your life. It’s important that you take extra good care of yourself, because it’s not just you alone anymore! Get plenty of rest, stay well hydrated and take your prenatal vitamin daily. Make sure that you get prenatal care. Don’t hesitate to call your doctor if something is worrying you. You are going to do great!
If you are experiencing issues with your pregnancy, contact the specialists at Greenwich Fertility today.
