Urgent maternal warning signs

Pregnancy is a stress test for the body...

Most healthy women conceive and carry pregnancies with no real problem.

But sometimes dangerous complications can arise during or after pregnancy. It’s important to address those issues before they cause serious health problems, or even death.

It’s important to contact your health care provider and get help right away if you are experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms during pregnancy or in the year afterwards:

If you can’t reach your provider, go to the emergency room or call 911. Remember to tell them that you are pregnant or have been pregnant within the last year when getting help.

You have chest pain, such as:
- A feeling of tightness or pressure in the center of your chest.
- Pain that travels to your back, neck, or arm.
You have a change in your heartbeat, such as:
- A fast heartbeat or a pounding in your chest.
- An irregular heart rate or skipped heartbeats.
You feel dizzy, faint, or disoriented.
You have trouble catching your breath (talking and breathing are difficult).

These symptoms can happen at any time and anywhere or may be triggered by a specific event.

Anytime during pregnancy or up to 6 weeks after birth.
- You have swelling, pain, or tenderness in your leg—usually your calf or in one leg.
- It may or may not hurt when you touch it.
- It may hurt when you flex your foot to stand or walk.
- The painful area can also be red, swollen, and warm to the touch.
You have pain, tenderness or swelling in your arm, usually on just one side of your body.

Take a deeper dive into the warning signs and why they can be a sign of a problem.

You can hear more stories and learn how to talk to your provider about concerns.