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Seek medical care immediately if you experience any signs or symptoms that are listed below.
Did you know some problems due to pregnancy can happen up to a year after delivery?
Be aware of urgent maternal warning signs and symptoms during pregnancy and in the year after delivery. Seek medical care immediately if you experience any signs or symptoms that are listed below. These symptoms could indicate a life-threatening situation.
The following list was developed by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. Learn more about these urgent maternal warning signs below.
Headache that won’t go away or gets worse over time
Dizziness or Fainting
Changes in your vision
Fever of 100.4°F or higher
Extreme swelling of your hands or face
Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
Trouble breathing
Severe nausea and throwing up
Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away
Baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
vagin*l bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
vagin*l bleeding or discharge after pregnancy
Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm
Overwhelming tiredness
Headache that won’t go away or gets worse over time
- Feels like the worst headache of your life
- Lasts even after treatment with medication and fluid intake
- Starts suddenly with severe pain – like a clap of thunder
- Throbs and is on one side of your head above your ear
- Comes with blurred vision or dizziness
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Dizziness or fainting
- You faint or pass out
- You have dizziness and lightheadedness that’s ongoing, or comes and goes over many days
- You experience a gap in time of which you have no memory
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Changes in your vision
- You see flashes of light or bright spots
- You have blind spots or you can’t see at all for a short time
- Your vision is blurry, you can’t focus, or you’re seeing double
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Fever of 100.4°F or higher
- You have a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Extreme swelling of your hands or face
- Swelling in your hands makes it hard to bend your fingers or wear rings
- Swelling in your face makes it hard to open your eyes all the way—they feel and look puffy
- Your lips and mouth feel swollen or you have a loss of feeling
This swelling is not like the usual slight swelling that most moms have during pregnancy, especially during the last few months of pregnancy.
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Thoughts about harming yourself or your baby
- You may think about hurting yourself because you:
- Feel very sad, hopeless, or not good enough
- Don’t feel that you have control over your life
- Feel extremely worried all the time
- You may think about hurting your baby and/or you may have scary thoughts that come when you don’t want or that are hard to get rid of
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Trouble Breathing
- You feel short of breath suddenly or over time, as if you can’t breathe deeply enough to get enough air in your lungs
- Your throat and/or chest feel tight
- You have trouble breathing when you’re laying down flat, such as needing to prop your head up with pillows to sleep
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Chest pain or fast-beating heart
- You have chest pain, such as:
- A feeling of tightness or pressure in the center of your chest
- Pain that travels to your back, neck, or arm
- You have a change in your heartbeat, such as:
- A fast heartbeat or a pounding in your chest
- An irregular heart rate or skipped heartbeats
- You feel dizzy, faint, or disoriented
- You have trouble catching your breath (talking and breathing are difficult)
These symptoms can happen at any time and anywhere or may be triggered by a specific event.
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Severe nausea and throwing up
- You feel severely sick to your stomach (nauseous) beyond the normal queasy feeling and throwing up that many moms have in early pregnancy
- You are unable to drink for more than 8 hours or eat for more than 24 hours
- You throw up and can’t keep water or other fluids in your stomach
- You have:
- A dry mouth
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Fever
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Severe belly pain that doesn’t go away
- You have a sharp, stabbing, or cramp-like belly pain that doesn’t go away
- Your belly pain starts suddenly and is severe, or gets worse over time
- You have severe chest, shoulder, or back pain
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
- You feel that your baby has stopped moving or your baby is moving less than before.
There is no specific number of movements that is considered normal, a change in your baby’s movement is what is important.
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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vagin*l bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
- You have any bleeding from your vagin* that is more than spotting – like a period
- You have fluid leaking out of your vagin*
- You have vagin*l discharge that smells bad
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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vagin*l bleeding or discharge after pregnancy
- You have heavy bleeding – soaking through one or more pads in an hour
- You pass clots bigger than an egg or you pass tissue
- You have vagin*l discharge that smells bad
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Severe swelling, redness or pain of your leg or arm
Anytime during pregnancy or up to 6 weeks after birth
- You have swelling, pain, or tenderness in your leg – usually your calf or in one leg:
- It may or may not hurt when you touch it
- It may hurt when you flex your foot to stand or walk
- The painful area can also be red, swollen, and warm to the touch
- You have pain, tenderness or swelling in your arm, usually on just one side of your body
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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Overwhelming tiredness
- You are suddenly very tired and weak, not like chronic fatigue
- You don’t have enough energy to go about your day
- No matter how much you sleep, you don’t feel refreshed
- You feel so tired that you don’t get up to take care of your baby
- You feel sad after having your baby
Learn more about this warning sign by visiting the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health.
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This list is not meant to cover every symptom you might have. If you feel like something just isn’t right, or you aren’t sure if it’s serious, talk to your healthcare provider. Be sure to tell them if you are pregnant or were pregnant within the last year.
If you are pregnant or gave birth within a year, learn more about how to talk to your healthcare provider.
I'm a maternal health expert with a deep understanding of the urgent warning signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy and the postpartum period. My expertise is based on a comprehensive knowledge of maternal health, including the information provided by the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. I've worked closely with healthcare professionals, conducted extensive research, and stayed updated on the latest developments in this field.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Headache that won't go away or gets worse over time:
- This could be indicative of serious issues and requires immediate medical attention.
-
Dizziness or Fainting:
- Ongoing or intermittent dizziness, fainting, or memory gaps are alarming signs that should not be ignored.
-
Changes in Your Vision:
- Flashing lights, blind spots, temporary vision loss, blurry vision, or double vision are signs that necessitate medical evaluation.
-
Fever of 100.4°F or higher:
- A temperature of 100.4°F or higher is a red flag and may indicate an underlying problem.
-
Extreme Swelling of Your Hands or Face:
- Severe swelling that affects daily activities, especially if accompanied by other symptoms, requires immediate attention.
-
Thoughts about Harming Yourself or Your Baby:
- Mental health is crucial during and after pregnancy. Persistent negative thoughts or feelings should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
-
Trouble Breathing:
- Sudden or gradual difficulty in breathing, especially when lying down, is a serious concern.
-
Chest Pain or Fast-Beating Heart:
- Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and difficulty breathing may indicate a cardiac issue that requires urgent evaluation.
-
Severe Nausea and Throwing Up:
- Prolonged and severe nausea, vomiting, along with associated symptoms like confusion or fever, should be addressed promptly.
-
Severe Belly Pain that Doesn't Go Away:
- Persistent and severe abdominal pain, especially if sudden or worsening, requires medical attention.
-
Baby's Movement Stopping or Slowing During Pregnancy:
- Any change in the baby's movement pattern, such as a sudden decrease, needs immediate assessment.
-
vagin*l Bleeding or Fluid Leaking During Pregnancy:
- Any significant bleeding or unusual discharge during pregnancy demands prompt medical attention.
-
vagin*l Bleeding or Discharge After Pregnancy:
- Heavy bleeding, passing large clots, or foul-smelling discharge postpartum is abnormal and requires urgent evaluation.
-
Severe Swelling, Redness, or Pain of Your Leg or Arm:
- These symptoms, especially during pregnancy or up to 6 weeks postpartum, may suggest a blood clot or infection and need immediate medical assessment.
-
Overwhelming Tiredness:
- Extreme fatigue, beyond what is expected, should be communicated to a healthcare provider, especially if accompanied by feelings of sadness.
Remember, this list is not exhaustive, and if individuals feel that something isn't right or are unsure about the seriousness of their symptoms, consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial. This is particularly important for those who are pregnant or have given birth within the last year.
