While there are a myriad of pregnancy symptoms, most of which are just part of a healthy pregnancy, there are some pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore. If you experience any of these symptoms you should consult your doctor immediately.

• Abdominal pain and cramping

  It isn’t unusual to have some cramping very early on in pregnancy but beyond the first weeks, all abdominal pain and cramping should be investigated.

• Vaginal bleeding or unusual discharge

  Some women do experience bleeding in early pregnancy but generally, if you experience vaginal bleeding – particularly if the blood is fresh and bright red – or you notice any discharge that is unusual for you, you should consult your doctor.

• Leaking fluid

  Aside from the rare little ‘accident’ that’s the result of a pregnant bladder under pressure, you should never leak fluid. This fluid is likely to be amniotic and as such, is a serious concern.

• Burning sensation when you urinate

  If urinating burns or is painful, check it out with your doctor. This becomes more urgent if you also develop a fever and backache.

• Ongoing fainting or dizziness

  While it isn’t unusual for women in early pregnancy to experience dizziness, it is unusual for this symptom to persist into the second and third trimester.

• A fall or injury to your abdomen

  Pregnant women do sometimes fall in late pregnancy as their centre of gravity shifts throughout pregnancy, but any fall or injury that effects your abdomen should be seen to – even if you can’t see any signs of trauma.

• Blurred vision

  If your vision becomes blurry, or you suffer from vision disturbances such as white lights or flashes, dots in front of your eyes, double vision or dimming, see your doctor for advice.

• Sudden thirst

  If you have become unusually thirsty but your urine output is minimal or non-existent, see your doctor immediately.

• Sudden swelling of hands, feet and face

  This swelling (called oedema) can be symptomatic of several medical conditions so have it checked by your doctor immediately.

Find more:

• Learn more about the pregnancy complication, Pre eclampsia

• Severe headaches

  Some pregnant women suffer from more headaches than usual in early pregnancy because of the increase of hormones in their system, but if you are suffering from severe headaches that last more than a couple of hours, this could indicate there is a medical problem.

Find more:

• Understand the effects of pregnancy hormones

• Decrease in baby’s movements

  If you notice a dramatic slow-down of your baby’s movements after 21 weeks – or feel no movement at all in a 24 hour period – discuss this with your doctor.

• Onset of vomiting and nausea

  If you experience nausea or vomiting that is persistent in later pregnancy (long after your morning sickness has dissipated), consult you doctor, particularly if these symptoms are accompanied by pain or a fever.

• An all-over itching

  This is more likely in late pregnancy and may be accompanied by dark urine and pale stools.

Find more:

• Learn about the symptoms of Obstetric Cholestasis

• You don’t feel ‘right’

  Call it mother’s intuition, but if you’re feeling anxious about your pregnancy symptoms (or even if you can’t quite put your finger on what’s wrong), discuss this with your doctor because no-one knows your body like you do.

Read also:

• Effects of morning sickness
• Dealing with stress during pregnancy
• Pregnancy anxiety
• Pregnancy and anxiety
• Common pregnancy complaints

This article was written by Ella Walsh for New Zealand’s leading pregnancy resource, Kidspot.