Symptoms to Be Aware of During Pregnancy

Apr 8

4 min read

Updated: Apr 10

Pregnant woman sat on the floor cradling her bump

While most pregnancies progress without complications, there are a small number of conditions that can occasionally develop. I tend to talk about them around 20 weeks gestation with my clients.

It’s unlikely that you will experience these, but understanding what to look out for can help you seek advice promptly if needed.

And if you ever notice something that doesn’t feel right, it’s always appropriate to reach out — you won’t be wasting anyone’s time.

Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a condition that can affect several systems in the body. It typically involves raised blood pressure and protein in the urine, which is why these are routinely checked at your antenatal appointments.

Symptoms that can sometimes be associated with pre-eclampsia include:

Persistent or severe headaches
Visual disturbances (such as flashing lights or blurred vision)
Pain just below the ribcage, in the centre of your abdomen
Nausea or vomiting (especially if new or unusual for you)
Sudden swelling, particularly in the face or hands

Swelling on its own is very common in pregnancy and is usually not a cause for concern. However, if it appears suddenly or alongside other symptoms, it’s sensible to seek advice.

Swelling on its own is very common in pregnancy

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP)

Another condition that can occasionally develop is intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), which affects the liver.

The main symptom to be aware of is persistent itching, particularly on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet and particularly at night time. Some people may notice itching elsewhere on the body, but itching without a rash — especially on hands and feet — is something that should always be checked.

If you experience this, a blood test is recommended to assess your liver function. This

would need to be arranged through your NHS maternity team.

Waters Breaking or Vaginal Bleeding

At this stage in pregnancy, your waters breaking would be unusual. If you think your waters may have gone, it’s important to seek advice promptly so that you can be appropriately assessed.

Similarly, if you experience any vaginal bleeding, it’s important to let someone know so that the cause can be reviewed and you can receive the right support.

When to Seek Advice

You don’t need to wait until something feels severe to ask for help.

If you experience:

Any of the symptoms listed above
Something that feels unusual for you
Or simply a sense that something isn’t quite right

Please do get in touch.

You know your body best, and it’s always appropriate to ask for reassurance.

When to Call vs When to Monitor

It’s not always easy to know what needs urgent attention and what can be mentioned at your next appointment. The guidance below can help you decide what to do.

Seek advice the same day

Contact your midwife, maternity unit, or NHS team if you experience:

Persistent or severe headache
Visual disturbances (such as blurred vision or flashing lights)
Pain under the ribs, particularly in the centre or right side
Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or around the eyes
Persistent itching, especially on the hands or feet
Any vaginal bleeding
Concerns that your waters may have broken

These symptoms don’t always indicate something serious, but they do need timely assessment.

Seek urgent advice

Contact your maternity unit or attend triage straight away if:

Your symptoms feel severe or are rapidly worsening
You feel generally unwell in yourself
You have heavy bleeding
You are worried and feel you need immediate reassurance

If in doubt, it is always safer to be assessed.

Monitor and mention at your next appointment

Some symptoms are very common in pregnancy and are usually not a cause for concern on their own, such as:

Mild swelling in the feet or ankles
Occasional headaches that resolve with rest and hydration
General aches and discomfort as your body changes, not requiring pain relief

However, if these symptoms become persistent, severe, or feel different to what you would expect, it’s always appropriate to seek advice sooner.

A simple rule to hold onto

If something feels different, persistent, or concerning to you — trust that instinct and reach out.

You are never wasting anyone’s time by asking for help.

A Reassuring Note

Most pregnancies progress without any of these complications.

This information isn’t here to worry you, but to help you feel informed and supported — so that if something does arise, you can access care quickly and confidently.

If you ever want to talk through any symptoms or concerns, we can always discuss them together at your appointments or sooner if needed.