When you first get the news that you are pregnant it is such an exciting moment. It’s easy to jump ahead and start thinking about all your plans to get ready for baby, and what a wonderful time it will be. Unfortunately, not all pregnancies end up being easy or smooth, which is why it’s very important you’re aware of warning signs and be prepared to act upon them.
The first trimester can end up being the most exhausting and draining period of the entire pregnancy. What this means is that potential problems can often be written off by moms-to-be as just par for the course. Here’s a look at some of the first-trimester pregnancy problems you should be aware of and shouldn’t ignore.
Vomiting and Nausea that is Extreme
Morning sickness is something that many women suffer from during the first trimester. For many women “morning sickness” is poorly named because it lasts all day and night, rather than just the morning. While morning sickness on its own isn’t something to be too worried about, excessive amounts of vomiting and nausea are cause for concern.
Excessive amounts of vomiting can cause dehydration, which is quite serious. Doctors recommend getting into the urgent care right away to get looked at. A place such as the Urgency Room Minnesota is equipped to provide fluids through an IV and help to relieve nausea.
Vaginal Spotting or Bleeding
Any type of vaginal spotting or bleeding in that first trimester is something you will want to take seriously. At the very first sign of it you will want to contact your doctor immediately, or visit urgent care. While spotting isn't unheard of, it can be a sign that you are having a miscarriage. An ultrasound will be necessary in order to see what is going on. Because more than 80% of all miscarriages happen within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, it's important to be checked out.
Preeclampsia
High blood pressure is another issue that can occur during the first trimester, which could lead to a preeclampsia diagnosis. Signs of preeclampsia include high blood pressure, kidney, urine, and/or liver abnormalities. This condition affects roughly 5% of pregnancies and should be taken quite seriously. Careful and close monitoring of the baby and the mother will be needed for the entire pregnancy. In some cases, it can result in the baby needing to be delivered early.
Swelling on One Side of Body, Calf or Leg Pain, Severe Headache
If you are suffering from a combination of these symptoms there is a chance you could, in fact, be developing a blood clot. This is a very serious health concern, and again it's important to visit the urgent care immediately in order to be checked out by a doctor.
At the end of the day, it’s always best to get checked out by a doctor immediately if you are suffering from any of the above issues or anything else out of the ordinary. The urgent care unit will be able to assess the situation and provide the best path forward.
