Please phone your midwife if:
-you have bleeding or you think your waters might be leaking
-if you develop a severe headache that does not resolve with panadol
-vision changes: spots or floaty bits in your eyes
-you feel you have a high fever or chills
-you have sudden onset of noticeable swelling (hands, feet, legs, face)
-persistent vomiting - especially if it causes you to feel dizzy or faint
-severe pain that doesn't go away with rest, water or movement
-you feel your baby is not moving as much as usual (after 28 weeks)
-thoughts of harming yourself or baby or persistent low mood
-you feel concerned about something.
When not to worry:
-if you have a cold or flu. This is unlikely to affect your baby. Please rest, keep hydrated and take panadol (2 every 6 hours) to keep your fever down. You can drink hot water with lemon and honey regularly, you can take throat lozenges and nasal sprays. But none of the flu medicines are safe in pregnancy so please avoid these. Rest, fluids, and panadol are the keys to recovering better. If you need time off work your midwife can give you a medical certificate for this.
-if you get a stomach bug or vomitting-diarrhea. This wont affect your baby but you need to keep hydrated. Try lemonade popsicles to suck on. They have a wee bit of sugar for energy and will hydrated you, plus the cold of the ice will freeze your tastebuds and prevent you feeling so nauseas. If you have diarrhea try pureed apples (the easiest way is to buy baby food apples), as it helps stop the "runs". Avoid dairy based foods while you have a stomach bug. Dry and bland foods are best like toast (no butter), rice, plain pasta. No dairy for 24 hours is the key.
-if you have pinkish discharge from the vagina after 36 weeks - this is likely your "show" starting to come away and is a positive sign your body is getting ready for labour. However if it is bright red and more than a small amount, take a photo and call your midwife.
