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

Overview

It's common to have concerns about what might be a problem during your pregnancy. 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.

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

When to call your doctor (up to 20 weeks)

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

• You have severe vaginal bleeding. This means you are soaking through a pad each hour for 2 or more hours.

• You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.

• You have sudden, severe pain in your belly.

• You passed out (lost consciousness).

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You have a fever.

• You have vaginal bleeding.

• 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, depending on your usual skin color.

• 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 the flank, which is just below the rib cage and above the waist on either side of the back.

  • Blood in your urine.

• You have belly pain.

• You think you are having contractions.

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 other concerns about your pregnancy.

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.

Current as of: July 10, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.