Warning Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy in Distress

When warning signs flash, indicating that something is wrong with a pregnancy, respond quickly. Both the baby and mother's lives are at stake.

Pregnancy warning signs will usually show ahead to warn you of impending danger. Watch out for the following warning symptoms:

• Bleeding - this could indicate a miscarriage, premature labor or a condition known as Placenta Previa (where the placenta is implanted in the lower instead of the upper part of the womb, causing bleeding in late pregnancy and the baby may have to be delivered by cesarean section).

• Abdominal pain - if it is one-sided, it could be an Ectopic pregnancy, if it is central, it could indicate a miscarriage, or premature labor.

• Very severe nausea - this could mean bearing twins or a multiple pregnancy.

• Severe headaches, sometimes with flashing lights - Pre-eclampsia (an abnormal state of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, fluid retention and the presence of excessive protein in the urine).

• Breathlessness at rest - this indicates Anaemia (a lack of red blood cells), heart disease or Pulmonary Embolism (blockage of the pulmonary artery by a blood clot or a foreign matter).

• Fingers or feet that swell rapidly - this indicates Pre-eclampsia. If left untreated, Pre-eclampsia can lead to Eclampsia (a toxic condition characterized by convulsions that could lead to coma during or immediately after pregnancy).

• A swollen painful leg - indicates the presence of deep vein Thrombosis (the formation or presence of a clot of coagulated blood in a blood vessel).

• Couldn't feel baby's movements - indicates that the baby may have stopped growing and is at risk.

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