important information!

Please contact your midwife immediately if any of the following occur!

Bleeding from the vagina

This does not include the 'show' that can happen prior to labour, which is the mucousy plug that comes away from the cervix. This can sometimes be streaked with old or fresh blood. However, any blood loss during pregnancy can be a concern and you should call your midwife immediately to discuss this.

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain that is severe or constant.

Headache

Headache that is sudden or severe, appears across the front of you head above the eyes, does not resolve with paracetamol and can sometimes occur with flashing lights in front of the eyes. It is very important that you discuss any of these symptoms with your midwife especially if you have had raised or high blood pressure or protein in your urine, detected at routine antenatal visits.

Decreased or absent movements from baby

After 24 weeks you should feel your baby moving at least 10 times in a 12 hour period. If you have been busy during the day you may not have noticed the baby's movements. If you are worried - call your midwife. Babies will often slow down in their movements in the last few weeks of pregnancy. However while the movements may not be as strong as they have been, you should still experience at least 10 movements per day. Get used to your baby's pattern of movements during waking hours. As your pregnancy goes on, it gets easier to learn this rhythm. Every baby has a different pattern of waking and sleeping, but you'll come to know what is normal for him. If you notice a change in his pattern, always tell your midwife straight away.

Anything else?

If you are worried about anything with regards to your pregnancy or your baby you should call your midwife and discuss with her. While we want you to contact us if you are very worried about something or have any of the above symptoms, we do ask that if your call is not urgent that you call between the hours of 8am - 6pm.