12 Warning Signs in Pregnancy

Author: Dr Janefrances Ugochi Ozoilo, MBBS, FMCPH, MSc(PH), PMP

Medical Reviewer: Dr Azuka Chinweokwu Ezeike, MBBS, FWACS, FMCOG, MSc(PH) 

Highlights

• Pregnancy brings many changes, and while some are normal, others are warning signs that should never be ignored.
  
  
• Warning signs can appear suddenly, so quick recognition and immediate action are key to saving lives.
  
  
• Common danger signs include vaginal bleeding, severe abdominal pain, headaches, blurred vision, swelling, severe vomiting, reduced baby movements, dizziness, and leaking fluid.
  
  
• Acting fast by contacting your doctor, visiting the hospital, or calling emergency services can prevent complications for both mother and baby.
  
  
• Regular antenatal visits equip women with knowledge, early detection, and prompt management of these signs, ensuring safer outcomes.

Catherine’s Story

Catherine found out she was pregnant six months ago. She regularly attends antenatal clinics. She has also visited her doctor three times and raised a few worries. Her doctor tells her that everything she is experiencing is normal. However, he also informs her about warning signs. As Catherine prepares her toddler for school one morning, she suddenly has a headache which seems to be increasing, and she feels dizzy. Could this be the “warning sign” her doctor spoke about? While Catherine’s doctor had always reassured her of her symptoms, he had also informed her about warning signs she should look out for while pregnant that could point to a danger to her and her baby.  Catherine now remembers that she noticed her feet looked bigger two days ago. She decides to go to the hospital and informs her partner that she urgently needs to see her doctor.Catherine was told by her doctor that she had Pre-eclampsia. Her blood pressure had risen so high, and that was why she was having a headache and feeling dizzy. She was admitted immediately and managed by her doctor.

Introduction

When you find out that you are expecting a baby, your worries begin and keep growing until the baby is born. Your body starts to change. Some of these changes might be more worrying than others. You begin to feel a bit more tired than usual, with mild body aches and nausea. Other symptoms and signs could include vomiting, constipation, weight gain and bloating [1]. 

You may also have started to attend an antenatal clinic where you are told that these symptoms and signs are normal and should be expected. In pregnancy, some changes and signs are normal, while others point to dangers that should not be ignored. 

In a study conducted in Ethiopia, only 37.5% of pregnant women were aware of the warning signs.[3]. It is important that every pregnant woman recognises the warning signs while pregnant and seeks help immediately. There is no need to panic during such periods. Getting the necessary help as soon as possible can save your life and that of your baby.This article aims to help you recognise warning signs during pregnancy and empower you with the knowledge to seek the necessary care with confidence. 

Why Knowing Warning Signs Matters

Warning signs can also be referred to as danger signs because they alert you to possible dangers surrounding you and the baby that need urgent attention. They should never be ignored. Catherine had been informed about these warning signs by her doctor and midwife during her regular antenatal clinics. 

Why should one know these warning signs? [2, 4]

• They can appear suddenly. This means that these symptoms and signs can show up without notice and unexpectedly. Your ability to recognise them as soon as they appear is very important.
• You and your partner can act quickly and seek help without delay. 
• Complications that can arise in both you and your baby. can be prevented.
• Prompt intervention can be lifesaving for you and your baby [2, 4].

12 Common Warning Signs in Pregnancy

Knowing common warning signs in pregnancy is life-saving for both you and your babyThese warning signs are;

1 Vaginal bleeding

This should never be overlooked as it could be pointing towards an ectopic pregnancy, a miscarriage or issues with the placenta. Severe vaginal bleeding can be due to a placenta praevia or placental abruption, which are life-threatening conditions.

2 Severe abdominal pain

This may be accompanied by vaginal bleeding and could be due to labour, placental abruption premature separation of the placenta), uterine rupture or other complications

3 Severe headache 

A severe headache could mean that your blood pressure has risen so high that it threatens the life of your baby and you. This could be due to conditions like pre-eclampsia, pregnancy-induced hypertension or chronic hypertension. It can also be due to severe malaria

4 Blurred Vision

Severely raised blood pressure or high blood sugar can cause blurry vision. During regular antenatal visits, blood pressure and blood sugar levels are always checked to ensure that they are maintained at normal levels and alerts are raised as soon as they are detected to be increasing.

5 Dizziness or fainting spells

This can signal an underlying problem like low blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, dehydration, anaemia or malaria. It could also be accompanied by severe abdominal pain (if there is internal bleeding)  and difficulty in breathing. 

6 Sudden swelling of hands and feet

This could be associated with high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia or problems with your kidneys.

7 Severe vomiting 

This is when you vomit so frequently that you are not able to keep any food or fluids down. This could be due to Hyperemesis Gravidarum or even malaria.

8 Reduced baby movements

Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well. Reduced baby movements may be a sign that the baby is unwell, and without timely intervention, the baby could die.

9 Leaking fluid from the vagina

This means that the membrane protecting the baby from infection has burst. This reduces the water covering the baby (amniotic fluid). You and your baby may also be exposed to infections that need immediate medical attention [5].

10 Convulsion

This condition in pregnancy is called eclampsia. It is a complication of pre-eclampsia, which is characterised by very high blood pressure. If untreated, it can lead to a coma or brain injury. In some cases, it can lead to the death of the mother and the baby. 

11 Fever

Fever in pregnancy should always be treated. It could be caused by malaria, which is dangerous for both mother and child, as it can lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth.

12 Difficulty in breathing

As your womb enlarges, you may experience some difficulty in breathing, which is normal. However, some difficulty in breathing can be a result of anaemia,  pre-eclampsia or even  blood clots in your lungs (Pulmonary embolism)

What to do if you notice these signs

When you notice these warning signs, you:

• Need to act fast. Just like Catherine, go immediately and see your obstetrician. If you live in a region with emergency services, call them immediately [6, 7].
• Need to know all about the symptoms you are experiencing by describing when and how they started, and how severe it is. Your doctor or midwife will ask about your last menstrual period. Always have that information at hand.
• Go to the hospital with any medications you have been placed on, if you are on any. If you have any health records with you, take them along as well.
• Always avoid any desire to “self-medicate”. This will cause more harm than good for both mother and baby. Some drugs are regarded as unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided to prevent any harm to the baby. 
• If you called emergency services, while you wait, lie on your left side and avoid any strenuous activity. You can also sit up straight if you wish to.

Conclusion

Catherine’s story shows us the importance of recognising warning signs in pregnancy and seeking help immediately. Remember that it is not a time to panic. With regular antenatal visits to your doctor, these warning signs will be noticed and managed early. This will make all the difference for your baby and you. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1 How can I tell if there is a problem with my pregnancy?There may be a problem with your pregnancy if you have any of the following: your baby is moving less than usual, you have severe abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding, severe headache that does not go away, blurred vision or sudden swelling in hands and feet.

2 What will happen when I see my doctor or midwife?Your doctor or midwife will ask about your symptoms and examine you. They will measure your blood pressure and perform blood and urine tests. You may be admitted if your symptoms are severe. In some cases, there may be a need to deliver the baby.

References

1. Martina Zib BMed Sc(Hons), Lynette Lim BSc (Hons)MSc, PhD And, William A. W. Walters PhD Frcog, Franzcog, Facshp. Symptoms During Normal Pregnancy: A Prospective Controlled Study. Aust NZ J Obst Gynaeco 1999; 39: 401–410.Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10687753/
2.  Woldeamanuel GG, Lemma G, Zegeye B. Knowledge of obstetric danger signs and its associated factors among pregnant women in Angolela Tera District, Northern Ethiopia. BMC Res Notes 2019; 12: 606. Available from: https://bmcresnotes.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13104-019-4639-8
3.  Mwilike B, Nalwadda G, Kagawa M, et al. Knowledge of danger signs during pregnancy and subsequent healthcare seeking actions among women in Urban Tanzania: a cross-sectional study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2018; 18: 4.Available from:https://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12884-017-1628-6 
4. Geleto A, Chojenta C, Musa A, et al. Women’s Knowledge of Obstetric Danger signs in Ethiopia (WOMEN’s KODE):a systematic review and meta-analysis. Syst Rev 2019; 8: 63. Available from: https://systematicreviewsjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13643-019-0979-7
5. [Dayal S, Jenkins SM, Hong PL. Preterm and Term Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (PPROM and PROM). In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532888/ 
6. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy. 2025, Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy (2025).
7. Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists. Your baby’s movements in pregnancy. 2019, Available from: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/your-babys-movements-in-pregnancy/ (2019).

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this website is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Published September 16, 2025