A headache that will not go away or gets worse
Urgent help
Some symptoms should not wait.
Seek medical care immediately if you experience an urgent maternal warning sign during pregnancy or within a year after delivery.
What to do
Act on the concern you have.
- Contact your healthcare professional.
Say that you are pregnant or were pregnant within the past year. Describe the symptom and when it began.
- If you cannot reach them, seek urgent medical care.
Use the emergency department or emergency services when the symptom is severe, sudden, or feels life-threatening.
- If you feel dismissed, repeat the concern.
Ask for another evaluation and bring a support person if possible. You know when something does not feel right.
CDC Hear Her guidance
Urgent maternal warning signs
This list is not a diagnosis and may not include every emergency. Seek care whenever you believe something is seriously wrong.
Dizziness or fainting
Changes in vision
A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Extreme swelling of the hands or face
Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
Trouble breathing
Chest pain or a fast-beating heart
Severe nausea and vomiting that prevents drinking or eating
Severe belly pain that does not go away
The baby’s movement stopping or slowing during pregnancy
Vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking during pregnancy
Severe swelling, redness, or pain in a leg
Overwhelming tiredness that is sudden or unlike your usual fatigue
Do not use the Journey Builder or a guide page to decide whether an emergency is “normal.”
Read the CDC guidance →Sources and review
Where this guidance comes from
We link to the original guidance so you can review the context and discuss it with your care team.