Your guide to common pregnancy symptoms

Some lucky people sail through pregnancy feeling amazing. But for many, that’s not the case. It’s normal to have a variety of symptoms throughout your pregnancy. Once you get used to your tender breasts, you might start to feel queasy. Later on, you might notice you have heartburn. Or that it’s hard to sleep. Those discomforts are common. And they are usually not a concern.  

But sometimes, you might have symptoms that feel alarming or even painful. Is it normal to be short of breath? What about spotting or cramping? It depends. What’s common in early pregnancy might be a concern during the third trimester, or vice versa. 

You know your body better than anyone, says OB-GYN Iris E. Dori, MD. “Go with your gut. If you don’t feel right or even if you aren’t sure and need to be reassured, it’s always better to call than not to call,” says Dr. Dori. 

Read on to find out which symptoms are normal and which ones need your provider’s immediate attention. And when in doubt, always get in touch with your doctor. 

Symptom: Bleeding 

Light bleeding from your vagina very early in pregnancy is common. It usually means the fertilized egg is attaching itself to the uterus. This happens in the first or second week after conception. The cervix also bleeds more easily during pregnancy. You might see blood after you have sex, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). 

Call your provider if: The bleeding is period-like or heavier, or if you have any type of vaginal bleeding in the second or third trimester, says Dr. Dori. 

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Symptom: Lower belly pain or pelvic cramping 

Your uterus is a muscle. It needs to stretch to make room for your fetus. So you may feel some cramping or even pain in your lower abdomen. It usually goes away if you shift positions. 

Call your provider if: You feel pressure or pain in the pelvic area later in pregnancy. This could be a sign of early labor. If the pain is sharp, stabbing, or severe, seek immediate help. 

Symptom: Shortness of breath 

You might feel winded throughout your pregnancy. Early on, it’s usually your hormones affecting the lungs. As your baby grows, there’s less room for your diaphragm to expand, making it difficult to breathe deeply, says Dr. Dori.  

Call your provider if: Your shortness of breath gets worse or affects your ability to do things. Also call if you have a cough or chest pain along with shortness of breath. 

Symptom: Leg cramps 

Leg cramps can be painful. They usually happen in the middle of the night after you flex your feet. They usually go away after you massage or stretch your legs. Leg cramps are often due to dehydration or to low levels of certain supplements, like calcium.

Call your provider if: The pain gets worse, your leg is red and hot, or if one leg is bigger than the other. Those could be signs of a blood clot deep in the leg vein, says Dr. Dori. 

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Symptom: Swollen feet and ankles 

Some swelling is normal. Pregnancy hormones and extra fluid in your body can make your legs, feet, and ankles swell as your pregnancy progresses. At nighttime, try to elevate or get off your feet when you can. That should reduce the swelling. 

Call your provider if: Many women have swollen feet — that alone is not necessarily a problem. But if your hands and face are swollen along with your feet, or your shoes or rings no longer fit, tell your provider. According to the National Library of Medicine, these can be signs that your blood pressure is higher than normal. 

Symptoms: Nausea and vomiting 

Feeling sick to your stomach and vomiting in your first trimester or even into the second trimester are common. For a few women, nausea can last throughout pregnancy, says ACOG. It’s known as morning sickness, but it can happen any time of day. 

Call your provider if: You are unable to keep anything down over a prolonged period. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, that means either: 

• You can’t drink any liquids for more than eight hours. 
• You can’t eat any food for more than 24 hours.  

You might have hyperemesis gravidarum. That refers to persistent nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. 

Symptom: Headache 

Hormones can cause throbbing headaches during pregnancy. So can stress and tension. Talk to your provider about which pain relievers are safe to take. 

Call your provider if: The headache is extremely painful or won’t go away no matter how much you rest. According to the Mayo Clinic, a severe headache could be a sign of preeclampsia. 

The bottom line: When in doubt, call your provider.  

Article sources: 
Bleeding after sex: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
Belly pain: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
Shortness of breath: March of Dimes 
High blood pressure in pregnancy: National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus 
Morning sickness: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists 
Extreme nausea: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
Headaches: Mayo Clinic