BabyMakers

Bleeding or pain in early pregnancy: get help now

Seek help now if you have any of these symptoms

Bleeding and cramping are common in early pregnancy and often do not mean miscarriage. The symptoms below, however, need to be assessed straight away.

  • Soaking two or more sanitary pads per hour, or passing large clots
  • Severe lower abdominal pain, especially on one side
  • Pain at the tip of the shoulder
  • Dizziness, fainting, or collapse
  • Signs of shock — pale, clammy, rapid heartbeat, breathlessness
  • Pain on opening bowels, or bladder or bowel changes
  • Feeling very unwell, or feverish
Emergency911
Urgent adviceyour OB provider, or labor and delivery triageNo universal nurse line. OB provider or L&D triage.
ThenOB office, or nearest ER / L&D triage.

Showing routes for United States.

In the UK, the NHS advises calling 999 or going to A&E immediately if you are pregnant and bleeding with severe tummy pain, pain in your shoulder, feeling sick, faint or dizzy, or heavy bleeding that soaks a period pad soon after you put it on (NHS, Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy). The NHS also notes that vaginal bleeding in pregnancy is relatively common and is not necessarily a sign of a serious problem, but that you should seek medical advice if you have it (NHS, Ectopic pregnancy: symptoms).

This page is information and signposting, not medical advice, and it is no substitute for your own midwife, doctor or care team. If you are not sure how urgent something is, the services above can help you decide.

Sources