In the last stretch of pregnancy, most symptoms are ordinary discomfort — but a handful mean you should call your doctor the same day, not wait for your next scheduled visit. This checklist pulls together the warning signs that matter most in the ninth month: signs of preeclampsia, abnormal bleeding, fluid leaks, reduced movement, and contractions — and which category each one falls into.

Call today: signs of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia can develop quickly in the third trimester, so these signs are never a "wait and see" group:

  • A severe or persistent headache that doesn't ease with rest or usual pain relief
  • Vision changes — blurring, flashing lights, or spots
  • Sudden, severe swelling in the face, hands, or around the eyes, especially if it comes on quickly
  • Pain in the upper abdomen, often under the ribs on the right side
  • Nausea or vomiting that's new this late in pregnancy

Call today: bleeding and fluid changes

  • Any fresh vaginal bleeding, from light spotting to a heavier flow — this is always worth reporting the same day in late pregnancy, even if it stops
  • A sudden gush or continuous leaking of fluid, which may mean your water has broken
  • Discharge that's foul-smelling or changes colour suddenly

For the fuller picture of what counts as normal spotting earlier in pregnancy versus what doesn't, see bleeding during pregnancy: what's normal and what's not.

Call today: reduced movement

A clear drop in your baby's usual movement pattern is one of the most important signs to act on promptly, not something to monitor at home for a day or two. The full method for counting kicks and judging what counts as reduced is covered in baby movements: what's normal, how to count kicks, and when to call — the short version is: don't wait it out, call the same day.

Call today: contractions and labour signs

  • Regular contractions before your expected date, especially if they're increasing in frequency or intensity
  • Pelvic pressure or a feeling the baby is "pushing down", if it's new and persistent
  • Lower back pain that comes in waves, rather than a steady ache

Signs of labour: what to watch for and when to go to the hospital covers how to tell early labour signs from the ones that mean head to the hospital now.

Mention at your next visit, not an emergency

  • Mild swelling in the feet and ankles that improves with rest and elevation
  • Occasional, irregular Braxton Hicks tightenings that settle with rest or hydration
  • General tiredness, mild back ache, or pelvic heaviness that's been gradually building, without any of the sudden changes above

The pattern that separates "call today" from "mention next visit" is usually suddenness and severity — a gradual, familiar discomfort is different from something new, severe, or rapidly changing. When in doubt, describing the symptom to your doctor or maternity unit is always reasonable; you don't need to self-diagnose which category it falls into first.

Why same-day matters more in the ninth month

Many of the conditions behind these red flags — preeclampsia, placental problems, reduced oxygen to the baby — can progress over hours rather than days once they start. Your doctor would rather hear about a symptom that turns out to be nothing than evaluate one a day later. If you're also wondering whether your overall pregnancy carries extra risk factors that make vigilance even more important, see what makes a pregnancy high-risk.

Frequently asked

What's the single most important sign on this list?

There isn't one single most important sign — these five categories (preeclampsia symptoms, bleeding, fluid leaks, reduced movement, and labour-type contractions) are each independently important, and any one of them on its own is reason enough to call the same day.

I'm not sure if what I'm feeling counts as "severe" — should I call anyway?

Yes. The threshold for calling is "new, sudden, or clearly different from your normal," not a fixed severity score you need to meet first. Describing the symptom to your doctor or maternity unit and letting them help you judge it is always the right move.

Does this checklist replace my routine prenatal visits?

No — routine visits catch gradual changes (blood pressure trends, growth, fluid levels) that don't necessarily produce a sudden symptom. This checklist is specifically for the signs that shouldn't wait until your next scheduled appointment.

Are these signs different if I'm carrying twins or have a high-risk pregnancy?

The same red flags apply, but the margin for "wait and see" is generally smaller with a high-risk or multiple pregnancy, since complications can progress faster. If your pregnancy has been flagged as high-risk, ask your doctor in advance which of these signs should prompt an even quicker call in your specific case.