Danger signs in pregnancy that need urgent care

Most pregnancies go well. Sometimes, though, a serious problem starts suddenly, and getting to hospital quickly can save the life of a mother and her baby. This article lists the danger signs that mean you should get care now, explains why they matter, and tells you which doctor to see.

This is general information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor, nurse or midwife.

Why these signs matter in Bangladesh

The World Health Organization (WHO) says that about 260,000 women around the world died during or after pregnancy and childbirth in 2023. WHO also says that most of the complications behind these deaths can be prevented or treated.

In Bangladesh, the most recent national survey of maternal deaths is the 2016 Bangladesh Maternal Mortality and Health Care Survey (BMMS). It is still the latest BMMS figure on the DGHS health dashboard. Researchers who studied that survey (published in 2023) found:

About 196 women died for every 100,000 live births (2016 figure).
Heavy bleeding caused about 31% of these deaths. Eclampsia, which means fits caused by high blood pressure in pregnancy, caused about 23%.
About 38% of the deaths happened on the day of delivery, and another 6% on the day after.
About 19% of the deaths happened at home, and another 19% on the way to care.

These figures are from 2016. They show two things. First, bleeding and high blood pressure were the biggest dangers. Second, the day of delivery was a very high-risk time, and many women died at home or on the way to care.

Warning signs that need urgent care

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says to get medical care immediately if you have any of these warning signs during pregnancy or in the year after birth. If you notice any of the signs below, go to a hospital straight away, at any time of day or night. Do not wait to see whether it gets better by itself, and do not wait for your next check-up.

Bleeding

Bleeding from the vagina during pregnancy that is more than spotting, for example as heavy as a period. If you are not sure whether bleeding is serious, get checked.
Heavy bleeding after birth. The CDC gives these examples: soaking through one or more pads in an hour, or passing clots bigger than an egg.

Fits, severe headache and vision problems

Fits (convulsions), fainting or passing out.
A severe headache, especially one that does not go away or keeps getting worse.
Changes in your eyesight, such as blurring, flashing lights or spots.
Swelling of the face, hands or feet that gets worse quickly.
Severe pain just below the ribs, or vomiting in later pregnancy.

These can be signs of pre-eclampsia. This is a condition that causes high blood pressure in pregnancy, usually with protein in the urine. WHO says it usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The US National Institutes of Health (NIH) says it can also develop between 48 hours and 6 weeks after the baby is born. In severe pre-eclampsia, other organs such as the liver or kidneys can be affected. If it is not treated, it can lead to eclampsia (fits).

Pre-eclampsia often causes no symptoms. It may be found at routine antenatal check-ups, when your blood pressure and urine are tested. This is one important reason to go to every antenatal check-up.

Changes in the baby’s movements

Your baby is moving less than usual, or has stopped moving.

NHS hospital guidance in the UK says most women start to feel the baby move between about 16 and 24 weeks. The CDC says there is no fixed number of movements that counts as normal. What matters is a change from your baby’s usual pattern.

Fluid leaking, fever and infection

Fluid leaking from the vagina during pregnancy.
Fever: a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher.
Bad-smelling discharge from the vagina, during pregnancy or after birth.

Pain, breathing and the heart

Severe belly pain that does not go away, or that starts suddenly.
Difficulty breathing, breathlessness when lying flat, or chest pain.
A fast or pounding heartbeat, dizziness or feeling faint.
Pain, swelling, redness or warmth in one leg (usually the calf), or pain and swelling in one arm.

Severe vomiting

Vomiting so much that you cannot keep fluids down, or not being able to drink for more than 8 hours or eat for more than 24 hours. This is different from the mild sickness and vomiting many women have in early pregnancy.

Your mind and mood

Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or feeling hopeless or very worried all the time. The CDC lists this as an urgent warning sign, just like bleeding or fever. Get help straight away.

What to do in an emergency

Go to the nearest hospital that can handle delivery emergencies. This can be a government district hospital or a medical college hospital. Go to the emergency department or the labour ward.
Arrange transport quickly. Bangladesh’s National Emergency Hotline is 999. You can call it for an ambulance.
If you are unsure, call 16263. This is the government health call centre (Shastho Batayon), run by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). Doctors answer 24 hours a day. A phone call should never delay going to hospital if a danger sign is clearly present.
Take your antenatal card or pregnancy records, and any medicines you are taking, so the doctors can see them.

Do not delay going to hospital to try home remedies for bleeding or fits. Treatment depends on the cause, and a doctor needs to decide it.

Plan ahead before the emergency

During pregnancy, it helps to:

Learn these danger signs together with your husband, mother-in-law or whoever makes decisions in the family.
Decide which hospital you will go to, and how you will get there at night.
Keep some money aside for transport and emergency care.
Save 999 and 16263 in your phone.
Plan where you will give birth, ideally at a health facility with trained staff.
Go to all your antenatal check-ups. Problems such as high blood pressure can often be found before you feel unwell.

Which doctor to see

Situation	Who to see
Any danger sign listed above	Hospital emergency department or labour ward. Do not wait for an outpatient appointment.
Routine pregnancy care and follow-up after an emergency	An obstetrician and gynaecologist (a doctor who specialises in pregnancy, childbirth and women’s health), or trained midwives and doctors at your local health facility
High blood pressure, diabetes, heart or kidney disease before or during pregnancy	An obstetrician, who may also involve a medicine specialist or cardiologist (heart specialist)
Low mood, severe anxiety or thoughts of self-harm	Your obstetrician or family doctor, who can refer you to a psychiatrist (mental health doctor). Get urgent help if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Concerns about the newborn baby	A paediatrician (child specialist) or neonatologist (newborn specialist)

Remember

You know your body best. If something feels wrong, during pregnancy or in the year after birth, it is always right to get checked. Going to hospital and being told everything is fine is far better than waiting too long. Women and families should never feel embarrassed to seek help.

Find a doctor

Browse Gynecology doctors in Bangladesh on ratings.com.bd, with chambers and, where listed, visiting hours and phone numbers.

Sources

This article is general information, not medical advice. It was written by AI from the sources above. It did not pass the automatic check, and an administrator chose to publish it; no doctor or editor has reviewed it. For a diagnosis or treatment, see a registered doctor.