- 1. Loss of blood through the vagina
- 2. Strong headache or blurred vision
- 3. Strong and persistent pain in the stomach
- 4. Persistent vomiting
- 5. Fever above 37.5ºC
- 6. Burning or painful urination
- 7. Itchy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- 8. Severe pain in the lower belly
- 9. Decreased fetal movements
- 10. Exaggerated weight gain and increased thirst
During the whole pregnancy it is necessary to pay special attention to health because some warning signs may appear indicating the presence of complications, such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes.
The most common warning signs are increased blood pressure, fever, persistent vomiting and vaginal bleeding, so it's important to see your doctor for diagnostic tests and to see what is causing the problem.
Here's what to do according to each warning sign:
1. Loss of blood through the vagina
When bleeding occurs during the first trimester, it can be a symptom of abortion 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 the doctor so that he can assess the health of the fetus through an ultrasound exam. In addition, it is important to have as much rest as possible to prevent further bleeding.
2. Strong headache or blurred vision
Severe, persistent headache or change in vision for more than 2 hours can be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, a pregnancy complication that is characterized by high blood pressure, swelling of the body and loss of protein in the urine, which can cause premature delivery or death of the fetus.
What to do: Try to rest and stay in a calm, dark place, in addition to taking teas to relieve pain, such as chamomile. However, it is important to see the doctor immediately so that he can assess the pressure and do blood tests and doppler obstetric ultrasound, immediately starting the appropriate treatment if pre-eclampsia is diagnosed. See more at: How to fight the headache in pregnancy.
3. Strong and persistent pain in the stomach
If the stomach pain is severe and lasts more than 2 hours, it can also be a sign of pre-eclampsia, especially if accompanied by other symptoms such as swelling of the body, headache or changes in vision.
What to do: To try to relieve the pain, you should drink ginger tea and eat light and easily digestible foods, avoiding fried foods, sauces and red meats. However, if symptoms persist for more than 2 hours, seek medical advice.
4. Persistent vomiting
Frequent vomiting can cause dehydration and impair the desirable weight gain in pregnancy, which can prevent the baby from developing properly.
What to do: To relieve vomiting, you should eat dry and easily digestible foods, such as cookies without filling, 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 relieve common pregnancy sickness.
5. Fever above 37.5ºC
High fever can be a symptom of an infection in the body, usually caused by the presence of diseases such as flu or dengue.
What to do: Drink plenty of fluids, rest, put cold water compresses on your head, neck and armpits, and take paracetamol usually relieve your fever. In addition, it is important to call the doctor and warn about the fever, and if the temperature exceeds 39ºC, you should go to the emergency room.
6. Burning or painful urination
Burning, pain and urgency to urinate are the main symptoms of urinary tract infection, a very common disease in pregnancy, but that 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 thoroughly before and after using the bathroom and do not hold your urine for a long time. In addition, you should see your doctor to prescribe antibiotics to fight infection and prevent complications. See more about urinary tract infection in pregnancy.
7. Itchy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Itchy or foul-smelling vaginal discharge is an indicator of candidiasis or vaginal infection, common problems in pregnancy due to a change in vaginal pH with the pregnancy hormones.
What to do: See your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with ointments or antifungal or antibiotic remedies. In addition, it is important to always wear cotton panties and avoid very tight clothes and daily protectors, as they favor the development of infections.
8. Severe pain in the lower belly
The presence of severe pain in the lower belly may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, premature labor, fibroid or placental detachment.
What to do: See the doctor to identify what is causing the pain and keep as much rest as possible until proper 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 may cause premature birth or neurological problems in the baby.
What to do: Encourage the baby to move, feeding, walking or lying with its legs up, but if no movement is detected, the doctor should be consulted to assess the baby's health through ultrasound. See more at: When the decrease in the baby's movements in the belly is worrying.
10. Exaggerated weight gain and increased thirst
Excessive weight gain, increased thirst and urge to urinate may 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 test your blood glucose and start appropriate treatment with changes in diet, use of medications and, if necessary, use of insulin.
It is important to remember that in the presence of any warning sign, even if the symptoms improve, the doctor must be informed so that the appropriate treatment is done and that follow-up consultations are scheduled to assess the evolution of the problem and the baby's health.
