Pregnant? When To Call Your Doctor And When To Chill
It's normal to have fears and worries as your body changes during pregnancy. You may be used to putting off a headache as nothing much but with pregnancy any persistent feeling is not normal and needs attention. But how do you decide what’s normal or what needs immediate attention? One way is to make sure you have a conversation with your doctor or health care professional. It’s not always easy to remember things to ask when you’re actually AT the doctor’s office. So if you’re going about your daily routine and notice things that you’re concerned about: write it down or ask your partner to remind you.
The sooner you ask, the sooner your doctor is able to give you advice or notify you of what to do. At your doctor’s or OB office, get familiar with other staff members in the office, such as the nurse, nurse-practitioners and physician assistants. Most times when you call you’ll speak to them first, and they answer questions just as your actual doctor would. The most important thing is: when in doubt, always call. So, what are the list of symptoms you may have? Let’s take a look, symptom-by-symptom:
Vaginal Bleeding
One of the most common concerns during pregnancy is bleeding or spotting. But like we said: it’s common and not always a cause for concern. However, in rare instances, it can be a sign that something is serious. Either way, you may be wondering if you should call your doctor: and when? Before we answer that, let’s look at the possible causes for vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
1. Implantation Bleeding
About 20% of women have at least some amount of bleeding during their first 12 weeks of pregnancy. In many cases, it’s implantation bleeding. This bleeding (more like spotting) occurs within the first 6 to 12 days after the fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of your uterus. This happens right around the time of the first day of your period, so some women may confuse the two! This implantation bleeding is typically very light and lasts anywhere between a few hours and a few days.
When to Call the Doctor: If your bleeding aligns with the timing described above, and it’s definitely just a light spotting, then there’s no reason to call your doctor! This bleeding is a normal part of the pregnancy process. Your body is working some magic! Congratulations, mama! Your egg has arrived safely in your uterus, where it will grow into your new baby! Yay!
2. Cervical Changes
Quite often, changes in your cervix can cause mild spotting. Whether your cervix is stretching to make room for your expanding uterus, or it’s reacting to a pap smear or intercourse, it’s possible for bleeding to occur without cause for concern.
Your body is changing and moving quite a bit, and sometimes a little bit of spotting happens! This type of spotting is very light and usually you’ll notice it once--then it’s gone.
When to Call the Doctor: If you’re experiencing bleeding in your first trimester that sounds like what we described above, then there’s really no need to call the doctor. For peace of mind, bring it up in your next appointment. However, there’s no real reason to make a call or a new appointment.
3. Ectopic Pregnancy
Let’s start with saying that ectopic pregnancies only occur in 2% of pregnancies. We want to supply information about conditions without causing added anxiety or worry! So mama, remember: there’s only a 2% chance of this :)
Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg doesn’t make it all the way to the uterus, but instead attaches to the inside of your fallopian tube. Your fallopian tubes are like a tunnel between your ovaries and your uterus. When an egg gets fertilized there, it doesn’t have room to grow and untreated, it can pop your fallopian tube and be very dangerous.
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, along with bleeding, are strong cramps and light-headedness.
When to Call the Doctor: If you’re experiencing bleeding in your first trimester, along with strong abdominal cramps and light-headedness, you should call your immediately.
4. Miscarriage
Miscarriage is typically the worst fear when a pregnant mom is experiencing bleeding at any time during her pregnancy - but particularly in the first trimester. But, as we’ve already learned, postpartum bleeding doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage. In fact, 90% of women who experience bleeding at some point during the first trimester go on to have healthy babies. With a miscarriage, you’re looking for more than spotting: mild to severe bleeding is a strong sign that you need to contact your physician or obstetrician.
When to Call the Doctor: If you’re showing signs of miscarriage such as: moderate to heavy bleeding, mild to severe cramping, and passing of tissue along with blood through the vagina. When to call the doc? Right away!
Pain
Pain is definitely not something we love to feel--particularly during a pregnancy. It can be super concerning, especially for a first-time mom. Though it’s important to note: there are plenty of NATURAL things that cause pain (such as childbirth itself!) that are just a part of life, and nothing dangerous. Staying informed about symptoms to watch for, including pain, is key in identifying when to worry and when not to worry. That’s what CODDLE is here for! :)
Here’s a breakdown of the locations and severity of pain you might feel during pregnancy--and what it could mean:
1. Headaches
Occasional + Mild: If your headaches are occasional and mild, there’s no reason to call your doctor immediately. This is something you can make a note of and bring up at your next appointment. Heck, even non-pregnant people have occasional headaches! :)
Constant + Moderate: If your headaches are just moderately painful and won’t seem to go away, it’s wise to give your doctor’s office a call and check in. A constant headache is a sign that something isn’t quite right. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids, and definitely let your doctor know what you’re experiencing: at the very least, you can keep an eye on it!
Persistent + Painful: If you’re having painful headaches that persist, and they’re accompanied by dizziness, feeling faint, or experiencing vision changes: call your doctor immediately.
2. Abdominal or Pelvic Pain
Occasional Twinging, Pulling, or Pinching: If you’re experiencing abdominal twinges that aren’t *quite* painful, but still noticeable: there’s probably nothing to worry about. Your uterus is stretching to make room for a baby! You’re bound to feel some of that stretching and rearranging happening in real time. If you’re concerned, you can bring this up in your next doctor’s visit. No need to make a special call!
Moderate or Severe Pain: If you’re experiencing moderate to severe pain in your abdomen or pelvic area, go ahead and call your doctor right away, as this can be a sign of complication. Better safe than sorry!
Vomiting
Vomiting can be something of a staple when it comes to the first trimester, as many mamas experience morning sickness and nausea. While vomiting is a very normal (albeit miserable) pregnancy symptom. When this vomiting happens. . .
On occasion: No need to call your doctor, but you can report this during your next visit. Occasional nausea and vomiting can be expected!
Every day: This is also normal, but something you’ll want to bring up with your doctor at the next visit. Daily vomiting can be a sign of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG for short) which is a condition involving severe and consistent nausea and vomiting. There are medications and supplements that you can take to help with HG, so it’s important to seek treatment to get some relief.
Several times per day: Call your doctor immediately! While this may also be HG, other complications such as infection can cause vomiting like this. Call it in!
Any Frequency WITH pain or fever: If you’re experiencing vomiting at all and it’s accompanied by pain or fever, call your doctor immediately.
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Remember that it’s normal to have worries during early pregnancy. Although concern for your well-being and that of your baby’s is normal, it’s important not to drive yourself crazy with worry! You need to be spending that time resting, after all.
So if you start experiencing bleeding, vomiting, or abdominal pain during your first trimester (or beyond) we hope this guide will help you find a little perspective before making that doctor call. Most times, it’s nothing at all. But for those small chances that something is wrong, we urge women to call their doctor and report things that don’t seem quite right. We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: better safe than sorry, mama!
And of course, as with most things in pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood, and beyond: follow your gut. Your mother’s intuition, your innate women’s intuition, is very real and very wise. Listen to that wisdom, let it guide you. And if a call to the doctor’s office is going to bring you peace, then by all means: make that call.
