# Pregnancy and Postpartum Warning Signs: Call Now

> Pregnancy and postpartum warning signs that mean call now: bleeding, fewer kicks, severe headache, swelling, fever, pain and mental health.

Stage: pregnancy - Topic: Health - Page: https://www.askcladle.com/guides/pregnancy/pregnancy-warning-signs

Grounded in: widely published urgent maternal warning signs (for example the CDC's "Hear Her" list and ACOG guidance) and the "check with your practitioner" habit of the What to Expect series. General information - when in doubt, call.

**Call now:** Bleeding, fluid leaking, the baby moving less, a severe headache or vision changes, or chest pain: call your provider or 911 now.

## TLDR

- Call your provider, labor and delivery or 911 now for bleeding, leaking fluid, or the baby moving less.
- Also call now for a headache that won't go away, vision changes, dizziness or fainting, chest pain or trouble breathing.
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby are an emergency: call 911 or 988. The maternal mental health hotline is 1-833-852-6262.

## Call the practitioner, labor & delivery, or emergency services (911 in the US) right away for

- Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy.
- The baby's movements stopping or clearly slowing, especially in the third trimester.
- A headache that won't go away or keeps getting worse, dizziness or fainting, or changes in
  vision (spots, blurring) - possible signs of preeclampsia.
- Sudden or severe swelling of the face or hands.
- Fever of 100.4 °F (38 °C) or higher.
- Severe belly pain that doesn't go away.
- Trouble breathing, chest pain, or a racing heartbeat.
- Severe nausea and vomiting (can't keep fluids down).
- Regular contractions before 37 weeks (possible preterm labor).
- After birth: heavy bleeding (soaking a pad an hour) or foul-smelling discharge; a swollen, red,
  painful leg; a painful, red area of the breast with fever; extreme exhaustion.
- A seizure — call 911.

When you call any clinician, say you are pregnant or gave birth within the last year.

## Mental health emergencies

- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby are an emergency: call 911, or 988 (the Suicide &
  Crisis Lifeline in the US).
- The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline (US) is 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262), free and
  confidential, 24/7. Postpartum Support International also offers a helpline.
- Outside the US, use the local emergency number and ask the practitioner for local resources.

## Why this card exists

These are situations where general information is the wrong tool. A calm answer must not come
before "call now".