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Emergency Guide

Pregnancy Emergency Warning Signs: When to Call Your Doctor Immediately

Essential guide to recognizing serious pregnancy symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Know the warning signs that could indicate complications.

Updated October 26, 2025•15 min read

Call 911 or Go to Emergency Room IMMEDIATELY If:

Life-Threatening Signs:

  • • Severe bleeding (soaking pad in 1 hour)
  • • Severe chest pain or trouble breathing
  • • Seizures or convulsions
  • • Loss of consciousness
  • • Severe headache with vision changes

Urgent Symptoms:

  • • No fetal movement for 12+ hours
  • • Gushing fluid from vagina
  • • Severe abdominal pain
  • • Signs of preeclampsia
  • • High fever (101°F+)

First Trimester Emergency Signs (0-12 weeks)

Miscarriage Warning Signs
Call Doctor Immediately:
  • Heavy bleeding: Soaking through a pad every hour for 2+ hours
  • Severe cramping: More intense than menstrual cramps
  • Tissue passage: Passing clots or tissue larger than a quarter
  • Back pain: Severe lower back pain with cramping
  • Fluid gush: Sudden gush of fluid from vagina
Monitor Closely (Call if worsens):
  • Light spotting (common in early pregnancy)
  • Mild cramping without bleeding
  • Sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms
Ectopic Pregnancy Signs

Risk increases with: Previous ectopic pregnancy, fallopian tube damage, IVF, pelvic inflammatory disease

Emergency Signs (Call 911):
  • Sharp pelvic pain: Sudden, severe one-sided pain
  • Shoulder pain: Pain at tip of shoulder (internal bleeding sign)
  • Heavy bleeding: With severe cramping
  • Dizziness/fainting: Signs of blood loss
  • Rectal pressure: Feeling of needing to have bowel movement
Hyperemesis Gravidarum (Severe Morning Sickness)
Call Doctor If:
  • Unable to keep fluids down: For 24+ hours
  • Vomiting blood: Any amount of blood in vomit
  • Signs of dehydration: Dizziness, dry mouth, dark urine
  • Weight loss: Losing more than 5% of pre-pregnancy weight
  • Decreased urination: Not urinating for 8+ hours

Second Trimester Emergency Signs (13-26 weeks)

Preterm Labor Warning Signs
Call Doctor Immediately:
  • Regular contractions: Every 10 minutes or less for 1+ hours
  • Pelvic pressure: Feeling like baby is pushing down
  • Low backache: Constant, dull pain that comes and goes
  • Vaginal bleeding: Any bleeding in second trimester
  • Fluid leakage: Sudden gush or steady trickle
  • Cramping: Like menstrual cramps, may have diarrhea
Cervical Incompetence Signs
Warning Signs:
  • Painless pressure: Feeling of fullness in pelvis
  • Backache: New or worsening lower back pain
  • Vaginal discharge: Increase in mucus or spotting
  • Mild cramping: Abdominal cramps without pain

Risk factors: Previous cervical surgery, DES exposure, multiple pregnancies

Third Trimester Emergency Signs (27+ weeks)

Preeclampsia Warning Signs

High-risk factors: First pregnancy, history of high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, multiple pregnancies

Call Doctor Immediately:
  • Severe headache: Won't go away with rest/medication
  • Vision changes: Blurry vision, seeing spots, light sensitivity
  • Upper abdominal pain: Right side pain under ribs
  • Sudden weight gain: 2+ pounds in 1 week
  • Severe swelling: Face, hands, feet (especially sudden)
  • Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing or chest pain
HELLP Syndrome (Medical Emergency):
  • Right upper abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting (later in pregnancy)
  • Headache and malaise
  • Call 911 immediately
Placental Abruption Signs
Emergency Signs (Call 911):
  • Severe abdominal pain: Sudden, constant, knife-like pain
  • Heavy bleeding: Bright red or dark blood
  • Uterine tenderness: Hard, board-like abdomen
  • Back pain: Severe lower back pain
  • Contractions: Frequent, painful contractions
  • Decreased fetal movement: Baby moving less than usual
Risk Factors:
  • Previous placental abruption
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking or cocaine use
  • Abdominal trauma
  • Multiple pregnancies
Placenta Previa Bleeding
Typical Presentation:
  • Painless bleeding: Bright red blood, often sudden
  • No abdominal pain: Unlike abruption, usually painless
  • May stop and start: Bleeding may be intermittent
  • Usually after 20 weeks: Second or third trimester

Important: Any bleeding in third trimester requires immediate medical evaluation

Decreased Fetal Movement

When to Monitor and When to Worry:

Normal Patterns:
  • • Feel movement by 16-25 weeks
  • • 10+ movements in 2 hours (after 28 weeks)
  • • Baby has active and quiet periods
  • • Movement strongest in evening
  • • Position changes affect sensation
Call Doctor If:
  • • No movement for 12+ hours
  • • Significant decrease from normal pattern
  • • Fewer than 10 movements in 2 hours
  • • No response to stimulation (cold drink, position change)
  • • Concerning change after 28 weeks
How to Check Fetal Movement:
  1. Choose time when baby is usually active
  2. Lie on your left side
  3. Have a cold drink or snack
  4. Count movements for 2 hours
  5. Contact doctor if fewer than 10 movements

Infection Warning Signs

Signs of Serious Infection
Call Doctor Immediately:
  • High fever: 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
  • Chills: Shaking chills with fever
  • Persistent vomiting: Unable to keep fluids down
  • Severe diarrhea: Watery stools with cramping
  • Urinary symptoms: Burning, frequent urination, back pain
  • Rash: Especially with fever
Group B Strep Symptoms (Late Pregnancy):
  • Burning during urination
  • Frequent, urgent urination
  • Fever during labor
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge

What to Do in an Emergency

Emergency Action Steps:

For Life-Threatening Symptoms:
  1. Call 911 immediately - Don't drive yourself
  2. Stay calm and speak clearly to dispatcher
  3. Describe symptoms and mention you're pregnant
  4. Follow instructions from emergency personnel
  5. Bring prenatal records if time permits
For Urgent But Not Life-Threatening:
  1. Call your doctor's office - use after-hours line if needed
  2. Describe symptoms clearly - when started, severity
  3. Ask if you should go to emergency room or wait
  4. Follow up as instructed
  5. Don't wait if symptoms worsen

Important Contact Information

Keep These Numbers Handy
Primary Contacts:
  • • OB/GYN Office: ________________
  • • After-hours line: ________________
  • • Hospital L&D: ________________
  • • Pharmacy: ________________
Emergency Contacts:
  • • 911: Life-threatening emergencies
  • • Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
  • • Partner: ________________
  • • Emergency Contact: ________________

Preparing for Emergency Situations

Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Keep Ready at All Times:
  • Hospital bag packed (after 28 weeks)
  • Insurance cards and ID
  • Copy of prenatal records
  • List of current medications
  • Emergency contact information
  • Transportation plan to hospital
Discuss with Partner/Family:
  • Warning signs to watch for
  • When to call 911 vs. doctor
  • Fastest route to hospital
  • Backup transportation options
  • Childcare plans for other children

Remember: Trust Your Instincts

  • • You know your body better than anyone
  • • When in doubt, always call your healthcare provider
  • • It's better to be cautious than to wait too long
  • • Don't worry about "bothering" your doctor
  • • Early intervention often leads to better outcomes
  • • Keep this guide handy throughout your pregnancy

Stay Informed & Prepared

Use our pregnancy symptom checker and tracking tools to monitor your health throughout pregnancy.

Check SymptomsLabor Signs Checker