Pregnancy (cont.)

When to Seek Medical Care

If a woman suspects that she is pregnant or has a positive home pregnancy test, she should make an appointment with a health care provider, which could be a doctor, an obstetrician (women's health specialist), a midwife, or a nurse practitioner. Early care (prenatal care) is essential for a healthy pregnancy.

• A woman who is pregnant should call her health care provider if any of the following conditions develop:
  
  
  • Labor or rupture of membranes (leaking fluid)
    
    
  • Abdominal or vaginal pain
    
    
  • Bright red vaginal bleeding
    
    
  • Vomiting more than three times a day or vomiting blood
    
    
  • Severely elevated blood pressure (above 140/90)
    
    
  • Sudden and rapid weight gain
    
    
  • Severe headache or changes in vision
    
    
  • Severe leg or chest pain
  
  
• Seek care in a hospital's emergency department if pregnant and experiencing any of these conditions:
  
  
  • Fainting
    
    
  • Vaginal bleeding through more than one pad per hour
    
    
  • Having severe pain in the abdomen or shoulder or the sensation of being about to pass out
    
    
  • Passing pink, gray, or white material from the vagina that does not look like a blood clot (The woman who is pregnant should take the material to the hospital.)
    
    
  • Having a bloody discharge or gush of water from the vagina late in pregnancy (The woman who is pregnant may be going into labor.)
    
    
  • Having a seizure but without a history of epilepsy (This may indicate eclampsia, a complication of pregnancy.)
    
    
  • Having an injury, such as a fall, a blow to the stomach or pelvis, or a car accident
  
  

Lower abdominal pain late in pregnancy may be labor pains, which are contractions of the uterus. The woman may try to drink a quart of water, lie on her side, and see if the symptoms resolve over two hours. If the symptoms do not resolve, she should see a doctor.

Next: Questions to Ask the Doctor »

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