Learning About When to Call Your Doctor During Pregnancy (After 20 Weeks)

Overview

It's common to have concerns about what might be a problem when you're pregnant. Most pregnancies don't have any serious problems. But it's still important to know when to call your doctor if you have certain symptoms or signs of labor.

These are general suggestions. Your doctor may give you some more information about when to call.

When to call your doctor (after 20 weeks)

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have severe vaginal bleeding. You have soaked through one or more pads in an hour, and the bleeding is not slowing down.
• You have sudden, severe pain in your belly that does not go away.
• You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have a seizure.
• You see or feel the umbilical cord.
• You think you are about to deliver your baby and can't make it safely to the hospital or birthing center.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have vaginal bleeding.
• You have belly pain.
• You have a fever.
• You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
• You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
  • Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
  • Swelling in your leg or groin.
  • A color change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish.
• You have symptoms of preeclampsia, such as:
  • Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
  • New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
  • A severe headache that will not go away.
• You have a sudden release or slow trickle of fluid from your vagina. This may mean your water has broken.
• You've been having regular contractions for an hour at less than 37 weeks. This means that you've had at least 6 contractions within 1 hour, even after you change your position and drink fluids.
• You notice that your baby has stopped moving or is moving less than normal.
• You have signs of heart failure, such as:
  • New or increased shortness of breath.
  • New or worse swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
  • Sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week.
  • Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
• You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection. These may include:
  • Pain or burning when you urinate.
  • A frequent need to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
  • Pain in your low back (below the rib cage and above the waist).
  • Blood in your urine.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You have vaginal discharge that smells bad.
• You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
• You have skin changes, such as a rash, itching, or a yellow color to your skin.
• You have other concerns about your pregnancy.

If you have labor signs at 37 weeks or more

If you have signs of labor at 37 weeks or more, your doctor may tell you to call when your labor becomes more active. During active labor:

• Contractions happen more often and at regular intervals (about every 3 to 5 minutes).
• Contractions last longer (about 60 seconds or more).
• Contractions get stronger and are hard to talk through.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.