When to Call
• Severe headache.
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• Blurry vision or seeing spots.
Monitoring Baby
• Persistent dizziness.
• Breathing difficulties or chest pain. Baby’ s heart rate and movements are used to
• Sudden, severe swelling of face and hands. monitor their well-being during pregnancy.
• Severe pain in the upper abdomen or any Your health care provider will check baby’ s pain that is not like a contraction. heart rate at each appointment. More
• Pain, swelling or redness in the leg( s). frequent appointments may be needed if
• Severe depression or anxiety or thoughts of you are at higher risk. In addition, a nonstress test( NST) may be done later in your pregnancy. NST uses fetal monitors to measure changes in baby’ s heart rate when they move.
Counting movement( sometimes called kick counts) allows you to monitor your baby’ s well-being at home during the third trimester. Once a day, lay down and pay attention to baby’ s movements. Record how long it takes to feel ten kicks, jabs, rolls or flutters.( Hiccups do not count.) The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists( ACOG) guidelines suggest that if you do not feel at least ten movements within two hours, you should contact your health care provider. Usually, you will feel ten movements much more quickly. You should also call if you notice significant changes in baby’ s usual movements over several days.
Concerning Symptoms
If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider right away:
• Persistent vomiting.
• Fever of 100.4 ° F / 38 ° C or higher or flu-like symptoms.
• Vaginal bleeding or clots, pain, itching or foulsmelling discharge.
• Burning sensation or pain while urinating or difficulty urinating.
• Leaking fluid from the vagina.( Increased vaginal secretions are normal, especially at the end of pregnancy.)
• More than four contractions in an hour( before 37 weeks).
self-harm.
• Decreased fetal movement.
• Anything else that concerns you.
Healthy Pregnancy 9