Are you pregnant? Review
health risks that may make any symptom more serious.
This topic covers problems directly related to pregnancy as well as symptoms that may be more serious for pregnant women.
How old are you?
Less than 12 years
Less than 12 years
12 years or older
12 years or older
Are you male or female?
- If you are transgender or non-binary, choose the sex that matches the body parts (such as ovaries, testes, prostate, breasts, penis, or vagina) you now have in the area where you are having symptoms.
- If your symptoms aren’t related to those organs, you can choose the gender you identify with.
- If you have some organs of both sexes, you may need to go through this triage tool twice (once as "male" and once as "female"). This will make sure that the tool asks the right questions for you.
How many weeks pregnant are you?
Less than 20 weeks
Less than 20 weeks pregnant
20 weeks to 23 weeks
20 weeks to 23 weeks pregnant
24 weeks to 37 weeks
24 weeks to 37 weeks pregnant
More than 37 weeks
More than 37 weeks pregnant
Is the umbilical cord or the baby's foot bulging into your vagina?
If this is happening, you will have other symptoms too. Fluid may be leaking from your vagina because the amniotic sac has broken, or you may be having contractions or other signs of labour.
Yes
Umbilical cord or baby's foot bulging into vagina
No
Umbilical cord or baby's foot bulging into vagina
Is your baby moving less than usual?
"Moving less" means moving or kicking fewer than 10 times in 2 hours. Some babies do this at certain times of the day.
Yes
Decreased movement of baby
No
Decreased movement of baby
This means more than just mild contractions that you can talk through or that are irregular or may even stop for a while.
Yes
Symptoms of preterm labour
No
Symptoms of preterm labour
Have you had any vaginal bleeding in the last 48 hours?
Are you having
trouble breathing (more than a stuffy nose)?
Yes
Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose
No
Difficulty breathing more than a stuffy nose
Would you describe the problem as
severe, moderate, or mild?
Severe
Severe difficulty breathing
Moderate
Moderate difficulty breathing
Mild
Mild difficulty breathing
Are you nauseated or vomiting, or do you have diarrhea?
Nauseated means you feel sick to your stomach, like you are going to vomit.
Yes
Nausea or vomiting or diarrhea
No
Nausea or vomiting or diarrhea
Moderate
Moderate dehydration
Are you having trouble drinking enough to replace the fluids you've lost?
Little sips of fluid usually are not enough. You need to be able to take in and keep down plenty of fluids.
Yes
Unable to maintain fluid intake
No
Able to maintain fluid intake
Is there more than a trace of blood in your vomit?
Yes
More than a trace of blood in vomit
No
More than a trace of blood in vomit
Are you vomiting more than 3 times a day?
Yes
Vomiting more than 3 times a day
No
Vomiting more than 3 times a day
Have you lost at least 0.5 lb (0.2 kg) in the past 48 hours (2 days) or at least 2 lbs 9oz (1 kg) in the past week?
Do you have a new headache that is different than the types of headaches you are used to?
Yes
New or different headache
No
New or different headache
Do you have a severe headache that started suddenly and is the worst headache of your life?
This probably would not be like any headache you have had before.
Yes
Sudden, severe headache
No
Sudden, severe headache
How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
8 to 10: Severe pain
Severe pain
5 to 7: Moderate pain
Moderate pain
1 to 4: Mild pain
Mild pain
Are you having new vision problems, such as blurred or decreased vision or flashes of light?
Do you have pain in your belly, pelvic area, or back?
Yes
Belly, pelvic, or back pain
No
Belly, pelvic, or back pain
How bad is the pain on a scale of 0 to 10, if 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain you can imagine?
8 to 10: Severe pain
Severe pain
5 to 7: Moderate pain
Moderate pain
1 to 4: Mild pain
Mild pain
Do you have belly pain (not labour)?
Yes
Belly pain (not labour)
No
Belly pain (not labour)
Do you have pain in the upper right side of your belly?
It may help to think about four areas of the belly: upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left.
Yes
Pain in upper right belly
No
Pain in upper right belly
Do you have pain and swelling in one calf or pain when you breathe?
These can be warning signs of a blood clot moving from the leg to the lung (called a pulmonary embolism).
Yes
Pain and swelling in one calf or pain with breathing
No
Pain and swelling in one calf or pain with breathing
Is fluid other than blood leaking from your vagina?
Yes
Fluid leaking from vagina
No
Fluid leaking from vagina
Have you passed any tissue through your vagina?
Collect the tissue if you can, and bring it with you when you see your doctor.
Yes
Passed tissue into vagina
No
Passed tissue into vagina
In the past week, have you had an injury, such as a blow to the belly or a hard fall?
Yes
Past week had a blow to the belly or a hard fall
No
Past week had a blow to the belly or a hard fall
Do you suspect that the injury may have been caused by abuse?
This is a standard question that we ask in certain topics. It may not apply to you. But asking it of everyone helps us to get people the help they need.
Yes
Injury may have been caused by abuse
No
Injury may have been caused by abuse
Did the injury involve a direct blow to your belly?
Examples of this type of injury are a fall in which you landed hard on your belly or a car accident that caused a forceful hit to your belly.
Did the injury happen within the past 24 hours?
Yes
Injury within past 24 hours
No
Injury within past 24 hours
Do you have any new vaginal bleeding, belly pain, or pelvic pain that may be related to the injury?
Yes
New vaginal bleeding, belly pain or pelvic pain
No
New vaginal bleeding, belly pain or pelvic pain
Do you think you may have a fever?
Did you take your temperature?
How high is the fever? The answer may depend on
how you took the temperature.
NOTE: Most people have an average body temperature of about 37°C (98.6°F). But it can vary by a degree or more and still be considered normal. If a low body temperature is the only symptom, it’s usually not something to worry about. But be sure to watch for other symptoms.
High: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral
High fever: 40°C (104°F) or higher, oral
Moderate: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral
Moderate fever: 38°C (100.4°F) to 39.9°C (103.9°F), oral
Mild: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral
Mild fever: 37.9°C (100.3°F) or lower, oral
How high do you think the fever is?
Moderate
Feels fever is moderate
Mild or low
Feels fever is mild
How long have you had a fever?
Less than 2 days (48 hours)
Fever for less than 2 days
At least 2 days but less than 1 week
Fever for at least 2 days but less than 1 week
1 week or more
Fever for 1 week or more
Do you have a health problem or take medicine that
weakens your immune system?
Yes
Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems
No
Disease or medicine that causes immune system problems
Do you have shaking chills or very heavy sweating?
Shaking chills are a severe, intense form of shivering. Heavy sweating means that sweat is pouring off you or soaking through your clothes.
Yes
Shaking chills or heavy sweating
No
Shaking chills or heavy sweating
Do you have problems with urination?
Yes
Problems with urination
No
Problems with urination
Are you able to urinate at all?
Yes
Symptoms of kidney infection
No
Symptoms of kidney infection
Yes
Symptoms of bladder infection
No
Symptoms of bladder infection
Yes
Symptoms of a vaginal infection
No
Symptoms of a vaginal infection
Do you have swelling in the face, hands, or feet?
Yes
Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
No
Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
Do you have any other symptoms you're concerned about?
These could include things like skin problems or digestive issues.
Yes
Concern about other symptoms
No
Concern about other symptoms
Are you having problems with constipation or heartburn?
Yes
Problems with constipation or heartburn
No
Problems with constipation or heartburn
Has home treatment helped?
No
Home treatment has not helped
Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need. These include:
- Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker.
- Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
- Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
- Recent health events, such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
- Your health habits and lifestyle, such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel.
Try Home Treatment
You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
- Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms.
- Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns (for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect). You may need care sooner.
Temperature varies a little depending on how you measure it. For adults and children age 12 and older, these are the ranges for high, moderate, and mild, according to how you took the temperature.
Oral (by mouth) temperature
- High: 40 °C (104 °F) and higher
- Moderate: 38 °C (100.4 °F) to 39.9 °C (103.9 °F)
- Mild: 37.9 °C (100.3 °F) and lower
A forehead (temporal) scanner is usually 0.3° C (0.5° F) to 0.6° C (1° F) lower than an oral temperature
Ear temperature
- High: 40.6 °C (105 °F) and higher
- Moderate: 38.6 °C (101.4 °F) to 40.5 °C (104.9 °F)
- Mild: 38.3 °C (101 °F) and lower
Armpit (axillary) temperature
- High: 39.5° C (103° F) and higher
- Moderate: 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) to 39.4 °C (102.9 °F)
- Mild: 37.4° C (99.4° F) and lower
Pain in adults and older children
- Severe pain (8 to 10): The pain is so bad that you can't stand it for more than a few hours, can't sleep, and can't do anything else except focus on the pain.
- Moderate pain (5 to 7): The pain is bad enough to disrupt your normal activities and your sleep, but you can tolerate it for hours or days. Moderate can also mean pain that comes and goes even if it's severe when it's there.
- Mild pain (1 to 4): You notice the pain, but it is not bad enough to disrupt your sleep or activities.
Symptoms of difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe. For example:
- You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk (mild difficulty breathing), or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all (severe difficulty breathing).
- It may be getting hard to breathe with activity (mild difficulty breathing), or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest (severe difficulty breathing).
Severe trouble breathing means:
- You cannot talk at all.
- You have to work very hard to breathe.
- You feel like you can't get enough air.
- You do not feel alert or cannot think clearly.
Moderate trouble breathing means:
- It's hard to talk in full sentences.
- It's hard to breathe with activity.
Mild trouble breathing means:
- You feel a little out of breath but can still talk.
- It's becoming hard to breathe with activity.
Symptoms of preterm labour may include:
- Mild or menstrual-like cramps, with or without diarrhea.
- A feeling of pressure in your pelvis or lower belly.
- A steady, dull ache in your lower back, pelvis, lower belly, or thighs.
- Changes in your vaginal discharge.
- Regular contractions for an hour. This means about 6 or more in 1 hour, even after you have had a glass of water and are resting.
Severe vaginal bleeding means that you are soaking 1 or 2 pads or tampons in 1 or 2 hours, unless that is normal for you. For most people, passing clots of blood from the vagina and soaking through their usual pads or tampons every hour for 2 or more hours is not normal and is considered severe. If you are pregnant: You may have a gush of blood or pass a clot, but if the bleeding stops, it is not considered severe.
Moderate bleeding means that you are soaking more than 1 pad or tampon in 3 hours.
Mild bleeding means that you are soaking less than 1 pad or tampon in more than 3 hours.
Minimal vaginal bleeding means "spotting" or a few drops of blood.
If you're not sure if a fever is high, moderate, or mild, think about these issues:
With a high fever:
- You feel very hot.
- It is likely one of the highest fevers you've ever had. High fevers are not that common, especially in adults.
With a moderate fever:
- You feel warm or hot.
- You know you have a fever.
With a mild fever:
- You may feel a little warm.
- You think you might have a fever, but you're not sure.
Symptoms of a kidney infection may include:
- Pain in the flank, which is felt just below the rib cage and above the waist on one or both sides of the back.
- Fever or chills.
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- A frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
- Belly pain.
Symptoms of a bladder infection may include:
- Pain or burning when you urinate.
- A frequent urge to urinate without being able to pass much urine.
- Blood in the urine.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:
- Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
- Long-term alcohol and drug problems.
- Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions.
- Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
- Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease.
- Medicines taken after organ transplant.
- Not having a spleen.
During pregnancy, swelling that may be a sign of a more serious problem may include:
- Weight gain of 0.9 kg (2 lb) or more during a 24-hour period.
- New and increasing swelling, especially in your face, hands, or feet.
- Swelling in your feet that does not improve even after you lie on your side for several hours.
You can get dehydrated when you lose a lot of fluids because of problems like vomiting or fever.
Symptoms of dehydration can range from mild to severe. For example:
- You may feel tired and edgy (mild dehydration), or you may feel weak, not alert, and not able to think clearly (severe dehydration).
- You may pass less urine than usual (mild dehydration), or you may not be passing urine at all (severe dehydration).
Severe dehydration means:
- Your mouth and eyes may be extremely dry.
- You may pass little or no urine for 12 or more hours.
- You may not feel alert or be able to think clearly.
- You may be too weak or dizzy to stand.
- You may pass out.
Moderate dehydration means:
- You may be a lot more thirsty than usual.
- Your mouth and eyes may be drier than usual.
- You may pass little or no urine for 8 or more hours.
- You may feel dizzy when you stand or sit up.
Mild dehydration means:
- You may be more thirsty than usual.
- You may pass less urine than usual.
Signs that you are in labour include:
- Regular contractions for at least 1 hour. This means about 4 or more contractions in 20 minutes, or about 8 or more in a single hour.
- A sudden release of fluid from the vagina.
"Bloody show" is blood-tinged mucus that may pass out of the vagina as the cervix begins to open (dilate) and thin (efface). On its own, however, this is not a definite sign that you are in labour.
Shock is a life-threatening condition that may quickly occur after a sudden illness or injury.
Adults and older children often have several symptoms of shock. These include:
- Passing out (losing consciousness).
- Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out.
- Feeling very weak or having trouble standing.
- Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions.
Symptoms of a vaginal infection may include:
- Vaginal itching.
- Vaginal discharge that is not normal for you.
- Red, irritated skin in the vaginal area.
- Pain when you urinate.
- Pain or bleeding when you have sex.
Seek Care Now
Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care.
- Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour.
- You do not need to call an ambulance unless:
- You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
- You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down.
Seek Care Today
Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care.
- Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care.
- If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
- If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning.
- If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
Make an Appointment
Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
- Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks.
- If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment.
- If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. You may need care sooner.
Call 911 Now
Based on your answers, you need emergency care.
Call 911 or other emergency services now.
Get down on your knees, bend forward, and put your head on the floor so your buttocks are higher than your head. Stay in this position until help arrives.
Sometimes people don't want to call 911. They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call 911 for medical transport to the hospital.
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