Pregnancy Pains That Are Actually Warning Signs

Pregnancy is full of pains — but how do you know the ones that are really problematic vs those that are just part of the fun? Today we’ll talk about a few signs that can actually be serious warning signs during your pregnancy. You’ll be glad you read this article moving forward!

Very first, I want to say that almost all of these pains can have normal parts of them — which is what makes this SO hard. Which is why I think it’s important to mention any new pains to your provider so they can check them out at your appointments.

I also wanted to add that some of the signs can be OK at other times and NOT ok at others (like signs of labor can be more problematic before 36 weeks) but these are pretty straightforward throughout pregnancy (unless otherwise noted).

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Rib Pain

This can be tricky because baby can be kicking your ribs like it’s a soccer ball — and that’s all perfectly fine and normal (but also annoying).

BUT it can actually be a problem if it’s your liver that’s enlarging into your ribs due to preeclampisa.

So, how to tell the difference?

First off, do you feel baby kicking that spot a lot?

Which side is it? Your liver is on your right side (your right), so if it’s your left side you’re clear!

Has it been coming for a while, just annoying at first, but then a few weeks later it’s getting worse… OR did it sort of crop up in a day or so?

Pains that have come on quicker tend to be something to call your provider about vs something that slowly comes on.

Pro Tip: It is so much better, faster, cheaper to deal with these problem signs with your provider in the office. If at all possible try to call them during office hours to be seen there. That being said, if something comes on suddenly and seems problematic Labor & Delivery is open every day, every hours, just waiting for you to make sure you and baby are safe!

The good news is this is pretty easy to check for… and preeclampsia usually comes with a few other symptoms (although not always, I have had patients where the rib pain was the first main symptom). Other things to watch for include:

• Blurry Vision
• Swelling (especially swelling that suddenly showed up, vs swelling that’s been around your whole pregnancy)
• High blood pressure.

I actually think every pregnant family should have a blood pressure cuff. They’re not expensive, but can be so important.

Also, if you’re prior to 20 weeks of pregnancy, be sure to talk with your provider about if taking aspirin is right for you, as it can help prevent preeclampsia!

I actually have a whole post on rib pain with more info for you!

AND if you’re loving tips like these — come get my 5 insider tips with me:

Calf Pain

Calf pain can be a sign of a blood clot — especially if it comes with:

• Redness
• Hot to the touch
• Hurts more when you pull your toe towards your knee (flexing your calf muscle)

However, charlie horse pain can be a very normal symptom of pregnancy. Also, that calf pain can stick around for a bit even after the most intense part has happened and can feel like something is wrong. But, now you know the other symptoms to look for to see if it’s a problem.

That post I linked also has some tips for getting rid of (or lessening) charlie horse pain in pregnancy because it’s the WORST. Just as you get to sleep BOOM the devil shows up in your leg! Nothing better than waking up screaming during pregnancy to make your partner feel at ease! 🤣

Note: Blood clots are more common both in pregnancy and postpartum. There are important warning signs in both of those times that I talk about in here. So important for everyone to know about those warning signs and I include a handy paper to hang in a common area for everyone to help keep you safe!

Headache

Yet another tricky one, because most people will say that a headache was a common friend during most of pregnancy. The lack of sleep (but also being SO tired), weird fluid balances and just not feeling your best often made it a common symptom for me in pregnancy too.

Headaches can be a sign of preeclampsia.

However, a headache CAN be a VERY common thing in pregnancy. But, how do you know the difference?

Well, first off – definitely worth mentioning it to your provider at your appointments, so he can keep an eye on it — but also watch for:

• How bad is it? If it’s the “worst headache of your life” I think you need to be seen ASAP either in your provider’s office or at labor and delivery. This is often a sign of preeclampsia — but be honest with yourself.
• Is this a new symptom? — or have you had headaches throughout your pregnancy of a similar nature? (most often preeclampisa doesn’t come til’ past 20 weeks, but you can have gestational hypertension before then)
• Any other symptoms with it? – similar to the rib pain is it also coming with blurred vision, new swelling or high blood pressure?

Once again, this is an awesome time to have a blood pressure cuff at home — it can only make your headache worse to be worrying about possible preeclampsia with it, but if your blood pressure is similar to what it always is, it could be normal.

That being said — at ANY point someone says “this is the worst headache of my life” (and they’re pregnant or recently had a baby) I’d go in and be seen, even if your blood pressure measures normal.

Let me just put a push in for partners to be educated on symptoms like this as well. It’s REALLY easy for you to push off symptoms like a “horrible headache” because it’s just overwhelming to think about going to the doctor for it.

But a supportive partner can help you get the help you need, bring you the blood pressure cuff etc. It’s just good to have a second pair of eyes on you. You deserve that support.

Honestly, you deserve it in the labor room too, and far too often partners want more information on it — which is why I created this.

At the VERY least, send them this article. I think they’ll be grateful for the info!

Itchy Palms

This isn’t exactly a pain, but it is a little-known symptom that can be a pretty big problem.

Now, it’s VERY normal to feel a bit itchy during pregnancy. Your skin is being asked to stretch a lot in new places as this baby grows and your body adjusts.

But, itchy palms or itchy soles of your feet can be a sign of cholestasis. That’s a blockage of your liver that can increase your risk of stillbirth.

Now, this is JUST itchy palms and feet, it’s NOT just an itchy belly — but if you’re just feeling itchy all over then talk with your provider. It’s just a blood test if they think you fit the criteria.

As I’ve said before — new symptoms deserve a mention to your provider, so they can investigate further.

Baby Kicking Like Crazy!

It can feel like the war of the worlds in your belly.

But, being the smart mom you are, you’ve been taking note of fetal movement from those very first kicks. And you’ve been monitoring what your baby’s normal is.

Remember, it’s always YOUR baby’s “normal” — not a previous pregnancy, not compared to a friend’s pregnancy. It’s YOUR baby’s normal.

Now, super smart moms do kick counts — if you’re not sure how to do them I have a whole cheat sheet here for you:

But, sometimes you’re just like SIMMER DOWN to that baby. They’re moving like crazy. Is that a problem?

Well, if you’ve felt it before — that means it’s part of your baby’s movement pattern. They’re feeling good, and like us — if they feel good they like to get their groove on in there.

However, if baby suddenly starts moving a TON and it is very much out of their norm (reminder: it’s hard to know your baby’s “normal” pattern until you’re into your 3rd trimester) it’s worth calling your provider or going to labor and delivery to be seen.

We talk a lot about decreased fetal movement, but increased movement (especially a thrashing-type movement that is very much out of character for them) can be a problem as well.

This isn’t to scare you — it’s to inform you.

Again as you assess this:

• Are you in your third trimester where you have established your baby’s “normal” movement patterns?
• Is this something you’ve NEVER felt before – and seems VERY different from what you usually feel.

If both of those are a yes, I would encourage you to be seen. Unless your provider can seen you quickly (and most often they can’t) I’d head into labor and delivery.

I actually have a whole post on if increased movement is a sign of labor that you might find helpful as well!

And, if you’re like — Hilary, I’ve never heard this before, I get that. A lot of people don’t talk about this part of fetal movement, but I want to empower and educate you. I think education is the key.

Chest Pain

And finally — chest pain.

Once again, tricky because those boobs might feel pretty tender, sometimes even warm to the touch.

Also, the muscles around them can be sore from the changes….

But chest pain isn’t related to touching your breasts, or a certain position that you’re in.

If you have chest pain — you should be seen. Of course, “chest pain” can be subjective… things I often hear:

• Suddenly it’s like an elephant is on your chest (or a lot of pressure)
• Difficulty breathing or catching your breath (especially at rest — doesn’t count if you just walked up the stairs)
• Can also be shoulder pains (again not related to how you’re moving your body)

This can be a heart attack. You are an increased risk of heart attacks during pregnancy and you’ll want to be seen ASAP. That may mean calling 911 or heading straight to the emergency room (I know a lot of areas have pretty poor 911 service).

Even if your local hospital doesn’t have labor and delivery, I’d still go straight there in this case — they can still treat you for a heart attack (or make sure you’re stable and send you to the nearest L&D unit).

While we’re here, I should also mention you’re at an increased risk for a stroke during pregnancy. So, if you notice any stroke signs you’ll want to be seen right away too. That would be things like

• Slurred speech
• Inability to move part of your body
• Weakness on one side of your body (one side smiles when you try to smile, but the other side continues to droop)

Again, I want to remind you — this isn’t here to scare you. It’s here to remind you that pregnancy is full of weird crazy things happening to your body. It’s important to know which ones are really important to be seen, and which can wait for your next checkup.

Of course, once you get there you have to decide if it’s a pain are just wondering if it’s OK and you can live with, or if you need a fix. I have a whole post on what to do if you’re in pain in pregnancy you’ll find helpful — as many pains are brushed off as “normal” but you’re unable to do your daily activites due to the pain. And there ARE things you can try to make it better!

And finally, a high five for making it to the end of this article. It’s so important to know about these uglier parts of pregnancy. Much easier to look at onesies and car seats, but knowing that you and baby are safe is the biggest gift you can give your baby. Preparation is the key to a great birth — and if you’d love to get you both prepared in a quick and easy way I recommend this.

Which of these symptoms was a surprise to you? Tell me in the comments!