After 37 weeks gestation/When expecting labour

Call the maternity unit you are booked at if you have:

• contractions that are becoming strong and regular in pattern
• heavy vaginal bleeding (more than a mucus show)
• a reduction or change in your baby’s movements
• abdominal pain that is constant
• water leaking from the vagina, waters breaking
• feeling unwell or worried something is wrong
• high fever (temperature over 37.5ºC)
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting combined with high fever, stomach pain, very dark urine or blood in the stools
• headache accompanied by bad swelling in the hands, feet or face and/or problems with vision
• itching on the hands or feet.

After 18-20 weeks gestation:

Call your GP or attend your local urgent care centre if:

• any non-pregnancy related concerns, such as skin concerns or a persistent cough
• pain or burning on passing urine
• flare-ups of any pre-existing conditions
• unusual vaginal discharge or discomfort
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting for over 48 hours.

Call your maternity triage at the maternity unit you are booked at if you have:

• vaginal bleeding
• a reduction or change in your baby’s movements
• high fever (temperature over 37.5ºC)
• water leaking from the vagina
• itching on the hands or feet
• diarrhoea and/or vomiting combined with high fever, stomach pain, very dark urine or blood in the stools
• headache accompanied by bad swelling in the hands, feet or face and/or problems with vision
• moderate/severe abdominal pain that is either constant or comes and goes.

Before 18-20 weeks gestation

Call your GP or attend your local urgent care centre if:

• you have a high fever (temperature over 37.5ºC degrees)
• pain or burning on passing urine
• flare-ups of any pre-existing conditions
• repeated vomiting or diarrhoea with difficulty in keeping fluids down
• any non-pregnancy related concerns, such as skin concerns or a persistent cough
• spotting or light vaginal bleeding.

Call your local Early Pregnancy Unit or attend your Accident & Emergency Department if:

• you have heavy bright red vaginal bleeding
• moderate/severe abdominal pain.

Getting help during pregnancy/Emergencies

For none-urgent enquiries about your health during pregnancy contact your GP, named midwife or local antenatal clinic. For more urgent concerns, explore the tiles below to find out what to do. Check which signs to call your maternity unit about immediately here: Mama Academy: symptoms to act upon For any urgent concerns regarding your emotional and mental health at any stage in pregnancy, see advice on who to contact for support: