Although it is normal for the pregnancy to proceed without complications, there are symptoms that can occur and make you doubt whether you should go to the emergency room. There are typical discomforts of pregnancy that vary from one woman to another, and what goes unnoticed by one can cause concern in another, or be a sign of something more serious.
When in doubt, it is better to see a doctor and rule out possible complications at any time during pregnancy, especially towards the end of pregnancy, when you see the day approaching and the concern increases. We tell you then when should you go to the emergency room if you are pregnant.
The doctor Fernando Gil Raga, Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Service of the Hospital de Manises, tells us what are the most common reasons why pregnant women usually go to the emergency room:
Vaginal bleeding
Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should always be a reason for consultation. to determine what is its origin. It usually occurs especially during the first trimester, being a reason for consultation by about 20% of pregnant women in this period.
If he bleeding is mild, what we know as "spotting" usually involves fewer risks, but when in doubt it is preferable to go to the doctor or the midwife as it could be the beginning of more abundant bleeding, related to the sign of abortion.
In Babies and more Blood loss in pregnancy: what is due in each trimesterIf the bleeding occurs towards the end of pregnancy, it does not usually involve any risk for the baby, but it is better to be assessed by the gynecologist as it could be a sign of diseases or infections of the vagina or cervix. If the bleeding is severe it is more worrisome, as it could be related to serious complications such as placenta previa, placental abruption, late abortion or premature delivery.
Abdominal or pelvic pain
Sometimes the pain is minimized and the pregnant woman believes that she will go on resting, but again, it is preferable to go to the midwife or the doctor to avoid complications.
If it occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy, severe abdominal pain could be a sign of ectopic or extrauterine pregnancy. It occurs in two percent of pregnancies, when the embryo develops outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tubes, and produces colic in the lower abdomen, initially, on one side.
At any time during pregnancy, a intense pain, similar to a very strong, long contraction that does not remit, or feeling cramps in the belly area, is also a reason for consultation.
Uterine contractions
It is normal to feel some contractions since the uterus is preparing during the course of pregnancy, but it is necessary to differentiate the contractions of Braxton Hicks, with an irregular pattern, known as false contractions, which are normal during pregnancy, from the true ones labor contractions.
Contractions become urgent if they are very intense or become frequent, which could indicate the establishment of labor.
High fever
If the temperature rises over 38 ° C for no apparent reasonIt is important to consult with your midwife as it may be indicative of an infection that is a risk to pregnancy.
The fever in pregnancy does not affect the development of the baby, but what can affect it is the cause that causes that temperature rise. If there is no clear reason to cause it, a high fever could signal serious illnesses such as some type of infection or preeclampsia.
Absence of fetal movements
It is important for the mother to know how and when the baby moves throughout pregnancy, because in this way she can know if she is growing correctly. It is normal for your baby's movements to decrease as the birth date approaches as the baby has less and less space to move.
However, "yes mom note that the movements stop abruptly or he doesn't feel it in 12 hours, you have to consult with the midwife, ”says Dr. Gil Raga.
In Babies and more, do you know that you will have six types of contractions during pregnancy? We teach you to recognize themSevere vomiting
Vomiting and nausea in pregnancy are quite normal, especially from the first weeks to the second trimester.
But what is not normal is when they are very intense and repeated, as they can lead to significant weight loss and dehydration. It is what is called hyperemesis gravidarum and is usually treated by water replacement and the administration of antiemetic drugs, indicated to prevent vomiting.
Loss of vaginal fluid
It is very easy to confuse the loss of vaginal fluid and amniotic fluid with vaginal discharge in pregnancy. That is why it is important that, especially from the second quarter, these types of losses are controlled more fully, in case there is a rupture of the bag, which could lead to premature delivery.
Before the slightest doubt and although the drip is small, it is good that the mother goes to the midwife to receive a correct diagnosis.
Constant headache
If it is something that remits with analgesics, it does not reverse the severity, however, if the mother notices that the pain is frequent and intense, she should consult the doctor as soon as possible, since it can be treated “of the increase in blood pressure, having to rule out arterial hypertension or preeclampsia, ”says Dr. Gil Raga of the Hospital de Manises.
Although you have to pay attention throughout pregnancy, Above all you have to be alert in the second half of pregnancy, which is when there is more risk of increasing blood pressure.
Blows or accidents
There are logical causes that cause bumps and falls in pregnancy. On the one hand, the increase in the abdomen alter the center of gravity of women, which makes it more unstable.
In addition, the hormone that causes the pelvis to increase its diameter, the relaxin, also acts on the rest of joints making them more lax.
In Babies and more Amniotic fluid losses in pregnancy: what you should knowVaricose veins or painful hemorrhoids
Blood volume increases during pregnancy, which causes a complication of venous return, especially if you spend a lot of time standing. One of the most common consequences at this time is varicose veins, dilated veins that can cause pain and discomfort.
Although it is very common during pregnancy and the puerperium, they must be monitored for inflammation or pain. Special attention should also be paid to hemorrhoids, which are nothing other than varicose veins in the rectal area.
In the words of Dr. Fernando Gil Raga, “although in general they are not serious or worrisome problems, you should consult with the midwife when the hemorrhoid patient feels sudden pain, since it can be associated with a thrombosis ”.
