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What are good signs of a healthy pregnancy


Signs of a Healthy Pregnancy – Maintaining the Good Antenatal Care

The signs of a healthy pregnancy vary between women and not all women experience all the symptoms of pregnancy. The best way to ensure a healthy pregnancy is to make sure you receive good antenatal care and take care of yourself. Generally speaking a healthy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby, and this can best be achieved by working with general practitioners and/or midwives during your pregnancy.

 

The Importance Of A Healthy Pregnancy For A Healthy Baby

Statistically, a mother’s chance of miscarrying a foetus is highest before the 20th week of pregnancy so it is good counsel to consult with your healthcare practitioner at the first sign you think you may be pregnant.

The earliest signs of a healthy pregnancy differ between women. Some women may experience a combination of signs while others may not present with any so if you are unsure it is always best to err on the side of caution and consult with your healthcare practitioner. The first or earliest signs of pregnancy may include

  • A missed period
  • Nausea or vomiting, often early in the morning and thus referred to as ‘morning sickness’ (although it can occur at any time during the day)
  • Tiredness, headaches or fatigue
  • Enlargement or sensitivity of the breasts
  • An enhanced sense of smell or avoidance of foods you previously used to like
  • Food cravings, sometimes for unusual foods or food combinations
  • Frequent urination

Because some of these symptoms may present because of other conditions, a pregnancy test will confirm if you are pregnant. Your healthcare practitioner may administer a blood test, a urine test or an ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.

 

What Are The Signs Of A Healthy Pregnancy?

As mentioned above, a healthy mother is more likely to have a healthy baby and taking good care of your body is a good way to give birth to a healthy baby. If you are pregnant you must secure good antenatal care to preserve your health and that of your developing baby.

 

Consistent Growth Patterns

Good growth and development is the surest manner to keep track that your foetus is developing into a healthy baby. Having regular antenatal care helps your healthcare practitioner to plot your baby’s development and ensure that growth milestones are being achieved. On average a foetus can be expected to grow at a rate of about two inches per month. Generally, the average baby weighs around 3kg at the time of birth, but this figure is very dependent on the baby’s genetics.

 

Maternal Weight Gain

Attached to the development of the foetus is the weight gain and belly growth of the mother. At each antenatal appointment, your general practitioners will take your weight and measure the growth of your belly.

 

Foetal Movement

Your baby’s movements can usually be felt from about 5 months or 20 weeks and after some time you will start to notice a pattern to the movement. Your baby’s first movements are referred to medically as foetal quickening.

Warning signs during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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Pregnancy is a time of great change for your body, and in your life, as you get ready for your baby to arrive. It also can be a time when you may be worried about some of the changes you are experiencing, and you want to know when you should seek help.

Most changes in your body are likely to be a normal part of pregnancy. Most pregnancy health issues are mild and common. However, some signs can indicate that things may not be going well, and could point to a more serious pregnancy complication.

Some of these symptoms may appear at different stages of your pregnancy; others might occur at any time. Even if you are not sure about your symptoms but think that something just doesn't feel right with your own or your baby's health, it's important to get it checked out.

Contact your doctor, midwife or hospital immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

Any time during pregnancy

While some signs may only appear at certain times during your pregnancy, many can occur at any stage, including:

  • prolonged or severe vomiting
  • bleeding from your vagina
  • a discharge from your vagina that is unusual, or a lot more than usual
  • severe or long-lasting headaches
  • dizziness
  • continuing weight loss
  • fever or chills
  • urgency, pain or a burning feeling when urinating (weeing)
  • feeling constantly out of breath, dizzy or weak or having a racing heart
  • you have had a blow to your stomach (such as from a fall, crash or a family violence incident)
  • you are experiencing problems with your emotional health that last longer than 2 weeks, such as feeling depressed, anxious or being unable to do your usual, everyday tasks

Early pregnancy (before 20 weeks)

Certain types of pain in the early stages of pregnancy could be a sign of miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy:

  • persistent or severe pain on one side of your abdomen or pain in the tip of one shoulder
  • severe pain or cramping in your lower abdomen (tummy)

Later pregnancy (after 20 weeks)

Although some discomfort is common during the later stages of pregnancy, some signs need to be checked by a doctor immediately, including:

  • changes to your vision, flashing lights or blurry eyesight, which are signs of pre-eclampsia
  • sudden, severe swelling in your hands, feet or face
  • an extreme itchiness of your skin, including hands and feet
  • a large amount of swelling in your legs (which is also painful)
  • if your baby has stopped moving or is moving differently

What happens next?

When you see your healthcare professional, they may perform some tests to check or maintain the health of you and your baby. These tests may include:

  • a health assessment and investigation
  • an ultrasound or blood test

You may also receive a referral to another doctor or specialist, and you can also get emotional support.

How can I avoid pregnancy complications?

It's often not possible to avoid a complication in pregnancy. You may have a higher chance of developing one if you have a health problem before conception, or had one during a previous pregnancy. There may also be a higher chance if you have a family history of pregnancy complications.

It may be possible to lessen the chance of developing a problem, or reduce the chance of a complication becoming worse, by making sure you go to all of your antenatal appointments. If a potential health issue is found, you may need additional antenatal appointments to more closely monitor the health of you and your baby.

Where to get help

  • Phone your doctor, midwife or maternity hospital urgently if you have any concerns.
  • Visit your hospital or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

Other sources of advice

  • Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby on 1800 882 436 to speak to a maternal child health nurse.
  • Consider visiting healthdirect's Symptom Checker for pregnancy if you are experiencing discomfort in pregnancy or are worried about any symptoms.

Sources:
NSW Health (Early pregnancy – when things go wrong), BabyCenter (Pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore), Raising Children Network (Health problems in pregnancy)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: April 2021


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Early pregnancy: when things go wrong - Maternal, child and family health

Early pregnancy – when things go wrong is a resource that offers expert advice and support to women experiencing complications in early pregnancy.