Pregnancy changes which symptoms count as urgent, and it is always safer to check than to wait. Seek emergency or urgent maternity care for vaginal bleeding, severe or persistent abdominal pain, a sudden severe headache especially with blurred vision, flashing lights, upper abdominal pain, or sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet (possible pre-eclampsia), a high fever, or persistent vomiting that stops you keeping fluids down.
In early pregnancy, sharp one-sided lower abdominal pain with bleeding or dizziness can indicate an ectopic pregnancy, a medical emergency. Later in pregnancy, reduced or absent baby movements, leaking fluid, or regular painful tightenings before your due date should be reported straight away. Any chest pain, breathlessness, or leg swelling and pain also needs urgent review, as pregnancy raises the risk of blood clots.
Maternity units expect and welcome these calls. When something feels wrong, contact your midwife, maternity unit, or emergency number rather than waiting for a routine appointment.