“WARNING” SIGNS DURING PREGNANCY THAT REQUIRE IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION

Pregnancy journey always brings happy and sweet emotions to the mother. However, there are also potential risks that can make expectant mother confused and worry. Therefore, to ensure that your baby is growing healthy every day and to prevent possible pregnancy complications, if you experiences any of the following signs, you should immediately inform the doctor because it is very likely that the little angel is in distress!
 
► Abnormal bleeding
Bleeding is an abnormal sign that can happen at any stage during pregnancy. If you experiences excessive bleeding accompanied by abdominal pain or lower abdominal pain similar to menstrual cramps, or feels light-headed, fatigue, dizzy as in the early stage of pregnancy, then it could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants somewhere outside of the uterus, which can be fatal to the expectant mother.
 
Bleeding accompanied by strong contractions in the lower abdomen is also a sign of miscarriage when the expectant mother is in her first or second trimester. Bleeding occurring in the third trimester accompanied by abdominal pain could be a sign of placental abruption, which occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus wall.
 
► Excessive vomiting
If you experience unusual and prolonged vomit, it is crucial to see a doctor immediately for prompt treatment. The doctor will guide you on managing vomiting and provide nutritional counseling, helping you find foods that reduce vomit. It is essential to be patient and follow through with the treatment until the vomit is completely gone so that both you and your unborn baby receive the necessary nutrition.

► Significantly reduced fetal movement
If a baby is not moving much more than usual every day, it is very possible that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen and nutrients from the placenta. Here’s a way to check if the baby is having any issues: First, drink some water or eat something, then lie on one side to check if the baby is moving? Alternatively, you can count how many times the baby kicks.

Currently, research has not reached a consensus on how many fetal movements are considered normal for a baby. However, pregnant women who monitor regularly will be able to determine the average number of movements their baby makes. Typically, it is normal for a baby to kick around 10 times in 2 hours. If there are significantly fewer movements, it is advisable to consult a doctor for a check-up using specialized equipment to assess the baby’s activity and development.

► Amniotic fluid leakage
That is when there is an stream of liquid running down the legs without odor of urine, and you did not feel the urge to urinate before that. When in doubt and unable to identify whether the liquid is urine due to compressed bladder, or amniotic fluid leakage, you should try to urinate until the bladder is empty. If the fluid keeps leaking uncontrollably, then it is most likely that you are experiencing amniotic fluid leakage. You need to visit the hospital immediately because if amniotic fluid leaks for too long, it will cause oligohydramnios or infection which puts your unborn baby at risk.

► Prolonged headache, abdominal pain, visual disturbance, edema during the third trimester
These could be symptoms of pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition that develops silently during pregnancy and the consequence becomes increasingly unpredictable as the due date approaches. This phenomenon often occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy, caused by hypertension and excess protein in the uterus.

► Frequent fatigue, pale skin
Anemia is a quite common condition in pregnant women, accompanied by the following signs: frequent fatigue, feeling weak, pale skin, and feeling cold easily. After testing if you are diagnosed with anemia, your doctor will prescribe folic acid and iron supplements. In case of severe anemia, you may receive a blood transfusion during childbirth.

► Prolonged vaginal bleeding
Prolonged vaginal bleeding might be caused by placenta previa: the placenta attaches to the lowest part of the uterus, partially or completely covering the cervix, blocking the passage for the baby. There might be no symptoms or possible vaginal bleeding without pain in the second or third trimester. This condition is very dangerous during childbirth and needs to be detected promptly.
 
► Prolonged stress
Pregnant women have too many negative emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and boredom…. It is very likely that they suffer from pregnancy depression - which is quite common during and after pregnancy. In addition, they may also lose appetite, have worsened mood over time, even thoughts that harm themselves and their baby. If you suffer from the above condition, you need to share as much as possible with close and trusted people, you can even see a psychologist for timely treatment.

► Thrist and urinating too frequently
This could be a symptom of gestational diabetes, a condition that often occurs in pregnant women during the second trimester. When you see a doctor, you will typically be advised to make changes to your diet rather than being prescribed medication.

► Hypertension
Hypertension is a serious condition, which could be a symptom of septicemia or pre-eclampsia. If the blood pressure is persistently high without signs of a decrease, the doctor will usually prescribe early childbirth. If the fetus is almost 37 weeks old, it is almost safe for both the mother and the baby, but if the fetus is too young, doctor will give her rest, embryotrophy, take antihypertensive drugs, it will probably have to be hospitalized for monitoring.

If you have any questions, please contact Hotline (028) 3910 9999 or INBOX Fanpage https://m.me/aih.com.vn for further information.

At the American International Hospital (AIH), doctors and nutritionists will monitor and advise specific cases so that the pregnant women have the most reasonable care plan for the health of the mother and baby. AIH is the first hospital in Vietnam to adopt the American standard delivery room model - LDRP, allowing women and relatives to have a convienient and comfortable “labor” experience in a single room for all 4 stages: Labor-Delivery (spontaneous) - Recovery - Postpartum.

Particularly, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at AIH has standardized modern equipment, along with a team of leading experts including doctors, neonatal nurses, physiotherapists, and pediatric nutritionists provide prompt support at birth, ensuring safety and the best care for babies right from birth.