Knowing the signs of when something is wrong is very important to any mother carrying an unborn child, and your body is the best way to tell if you need to call your doctor or not. While there are many discomforts and complaints associated with pregnancy, there are some definite red flags that you need to be aware of.



Blood loss, whether it is spotting or a heavy gush, may signal a miscarriage and you should contact your health practitioner quickly, especially if you're also experiencing pain in your back, stomach or abdomen. There are other causes of concern that are signalled by bleeding, such as placental placement complications. Calm, quick action are the best ways to handle this situation and your doctor will most likely want to monitor your condition.

Preterm labor is often signalled by back pain as well, a common sign of contractions. Contractions themselves, especially if they are persistent or increasing in intensity, can mean your baby is arriving before its time.

Before 37 weeks, you should call your doctor and then head for a hospital quickly. After 38 weeks, you're within the normal range and can take your time to prepare for the upcoming birth. Other signs of a preterm labor include a gush of fluid, which could be your waters breaking.

Facial swelling and weight gain can be caused by pregnancy-induced hypertension called pre-eclampsia or toxemia, a dangerous issue that's cause for concern. Should your doctor determine you do have pre-eclampsia, you and your baby will be frequently monitored during the rest of your pregnancy. If this is your second child, your risk of contracting pre-eclampsia is lower, but no less cause for visiting your doctor if you suspect the complication.

While these symptoms of complications may have you feeling worried and afraid, you can relax knowing that most of the time, pregnancies pass without a hitch.

The point of this information is that complications do and can occur, so knowing what to watch for and informing yourself is a very big part of being able to calmly handle the situation should something unusual raise questions. Oftentimes, even these red-flag symptoms can be attributed to some common pregnancy complaint but confirming with your doctor is always the best course of action.