Warning Signs During Pregnancy

Call your doctor or nurse or go to the hosptial emergency room right away if you have any of these warning signs while you are pregnant:

• Bright red vaginal bleeding
• Leaking of bag of water (sudden gush or slow leak)
• Sharp pains in abdomen or side which do not go away
• Dim or blurred vision or flashing bright lights or spots. Bad headache/dizziness, a lot of swelling of face and body
• Chills and fever
• Pain when passing urine

You should also be aware of the signs of possible preterm labor. This is labor that starts before the 37th week of pregnancy. Babies born early may have breathing problems and may need to stay in the hospital for extra days or weeks. The earlier the baby is born, the greater the liklihood that the baby will have problems. If you know what to look for, you will be able to tell if premature labor is happening to you and you can get help. Preterm labor may be stopped if early signs are reported to your doctor or clinic.

Possible signs of premature labor are:

• Contractions of uterus that are 10 minutes apart or closer (may be painless). Sometimes the contractions my feel like the baby is "balling up."
• Menstrual-like cramps, whether they come and go or don't go away.
• Cramps in abdomen with or without diarrhea
• Increase or change in vaginal discharge (watery or with mucous or blood)
• Low, dull backache that comes and goes or doesn't go away
• Pressure that feels like the baby is pushing down and that comes and goes

If you have any of the signs of preterm labor, lie down and check for contractions. While resting, try to drink two or three glasses or water or juice. If your symptoms of preterm labor do not go away in one hour or if you have five or more contractions in one hour, call your doctor, clinic, or hospital emergency room.

And remember, if you have any of the warning signs listed at the top of this page, call your doctor or nurse or go to the emergency room right now.

If you have other questions or concerns about your pregnancy and you are within Florida, please call the Family Health Line at 1-800-451-BABY (2229). Counselors are available 8 a.m. to 11 p.m on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekends. Bilingual counselors or translator services are available for speakers of languages other than English.