Health Topics A-Z

What Are the Symptoms?

Women can expect some or all of these changes in a normal pregnancy:

• In the first trimester - absence of menstrual flow; minor weight gain; increased urination; enlarged and perhaps sore breasts; morning sickness or nausea.
• In the second trimester - significant weight gain (about a pound a week); stretching of the abdominal wall and pelvis; possibly backache, constipation, heartburn and fetal movement.
• In the third trimester - swollen limbs from fluid retention; leaking breasts; constipation; hemorrhoids; insomnia; discomfort below the rib cage a few weeks before the baby drops at about 36 weeks.

Call Your Doctor If:

• You have severe nausea and vomiting; dehydration; rapid heartbeat; or pale, dry skin. You may have hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness.
• You have vaginal spotting or bleeding. You may be having a miscarriage or serious placental complication.
• You have sudden weight gain over a few days, severe headache and blurred vision. You may have developed preeclampsia, a form of high blood pressure.
• You have a fever over 100° F and chills, backache or blood in your urine. You may have a kidney infection or other infection.
• After the fetus begins to move, you feel decreased movement for more than a day or no movement; you may be experiencing fetal distress.
• You feel vaginal wetness or a leaking of fluid that is not like normal vaginal secretions or urinary leakages. You may have ruptured membranes or leaking of amniotic fluid.