Pregnancy-Related Problems: Emergencies
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Emergencies
Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
- Any of the following during your pregnancy:
- Signs of shock
- Severe dehydration
- Fainting (syncope) or loss of consciousness
- Severe vaginal bleeding
- Seizures. Note: For information about how to help a seizure victim, see protecting a victim from harm during a seizure.
- Severe pain in your belly (not from labor contractions)
- A sudden, severe headache that is the worst headache you have ever had
- During your last trimester:
- Fluid gushes or leaks from your vagina (the amniotic sac has ruptured) and either of the following happen:
- You know or think the umbilical cord is bulging into your vagina (cord prolapse).
- You know or think your baby's foot is bulging into your vagina (footling breech).
- Note: Call for help and immediately get down on your knees, bend forward, and put your head on the floor so your buttocks are higher than your head. This decreases pressure on the cord until help arrives. Cord prolapse can cut off your baby's blood supply.
| Last updated: | August 06, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS |
| Reviewed By: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer |
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