Pregnancy Warning Signs: When to Get Medical Help
On this page
General information. This page does not claim clinical review. Editorial standards. Updated 29 September 2026.
Symptoms that need urgent medical attention
Warning signs include severe or persistent headache, vision changes, fainting, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe abdominal pain, fever, substantial vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking. Severe vomiting with difficulty keeping fluids down also needs assessment. Contact your maternity team promptly; use emergency services for severe symptoms or if urgent help is unavailable.
Baby moving less or differently
Call your midwife or maternity unit immediately if your baby's movements slow, stop or change from their usual pattern. Do not wait until tomorrow, reach a particular pregnancy week, or finish a two-hour kick count first.
First movements are usually felt between 16 and 24 weeks. If you have never felt movement by 24 weeks, tell your midwife. An anterior placenta or a home Doppler reading should not be used to dismiss a change.
Unsure whether a symptom matters?
This list is not exhaustive. If something feels wrong, contact your care team and describe when it began, whether it is worsening, and any other symptoms. A website cannot determine the cause or rule out complications.