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Generally speaking, pregnancies proceed healthily and normally, and you need minimal medical interventions. Of course, you'll want to see your doctor regularly to get checkups and ultrasounds, and just to ensure that everything is proceeding normally, but for the most part, your body knows what to do and how to do it. However, there are some instances during your pregnancy that require immediate medical attention. Check out this article for a list of times when it is appropriate to seek medical aid outside of your regular doctor's visits. If you encounter any of these situations, depending on the severity of your particular situation, you can should contact your doctor immediately, visit an urgent care facility, or head to the emergency room. Severe Cramping It is normal to get some cramping when you're pregnant, especially during your first trimester. The muscles in your abdomen are growing and changing, and this can be accompanied by some growing pains that are quite similar to menstrual cramping. In early pregnancy, these cramps may also be accompanied by some light bleeding. If the cramping is mild and the bleeding you're experiencing is nothing more than some light spotting, then you have nothing to worry about. However, if you experience severe cramps or heavy bleeding, then you should contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention. In early pregnancy, these could be signs of a miscarriage. In late pregnancy, they could be signs of early labor. Extreme Swelling You've probably heard other pregnant women complaining about the swelling they're experiencing in their bodies--particularly in their hands and feet. This is a normal part of pregnancy, as your body contains more fluids at this time of your life. But if you notice sudden or extreme swelling in your hands and feet, or puffiness in your face, you should call your doctor. These could be signs of pre-eclampsia. This is a condition that affects many pregnant women and is associated with high blood pressure. If left unchecked, this condition could have serious negative effects on both the mother and the baby, so it's important to get it addressed right away. Decreased Fetal Movement Once you're far enough along that you can feel your baby moving regularly, it's a good idea to start up some kick counting. You will pay attention to your baby's movements and keep a tally of the kicks and other movements you feel. This helps you to know what your baby's normal activity levels are. Generally speaking, you want to feel at least 10 movements over the course of 2 hours in order to be sure your baby is active and healthy. If you don't feel 10 movements in 2 hours, then check again at a later time; babies in the womb have sleeping and waking cycles, so your baby might just be asleep when you're trying to count the movements. You can also try drinking a large glass of ice-cold water or eating something sweet to stimulate movement from your baby. If you try again later and still don't get 10 movements in 2 hours, or if you ever feel that your baby's movements have decreased significantly from the norm, then contact your doctor. Your doctor should be able to use a Doppler machine to check your baby's heartbeat and ensure everything is okay. The doctor may also do an ultrasound to check for problems. It's important to pay attention to your body and your instincts when you're pregnant; these will be your first indicators if something begins to go wrong. If you notice any of the above problems, call your doctor or visit the emergency room or an urgent care facility in your area.
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