Is This Normal in Pregnancy? 10 Things Women Google But Don’t Always Ask Their Obstetrician
By Dr Stephen Cole, Obstetrician & Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Melbourne
Pregnancy has a remarkable ability to make you question absolutely everything your body does.
A strange pain at 2pm? Probably worth a Google.
Wide awake at 3am? Definitely worth a Google.
Baby unusually quiet while you’re lying in bed? By 3:15am you may have read twelve forums, diagnosed yourself with three rare conditions and become considerably more worried than when you started.
Sound familiar?
One of the things I regularly tell my patients is that there really is no silly pregnancy question. Your body is doing an extraordinary amount of work, and some of the changes that are completely normal can also feel decidedly not normal when they happen to you for the first time.
So, rather than leaving Dr Google in charge, here are ten pregnancy questions women often search for — but don't always ask me in the consulting room.
1. Why is my heart beating so fast?
Feeling your heart race or becoming more aware of your heartbeat can happen during pregnancy.
Your cardiovascular system is working harder to support both you and your growing baby, and the amount of blood circulating around your body increases considerably during pregnancy.
Occasional palpitations can occur, but a racing heartbeat isn't something I want patients simply dismissing as "just pregnancy" if it is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.
When should I mention it?
If your heart is racing persistently, or you have chest pain, significant shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, seek medical advice promptly.
The general rule throughout this article applies here: common doesn't automatically mean something should be ignored.
2. Why am I so breathless? I only walked up the stairs!
You haven't suddenly become spectacularly unfit.
Feeling more breathless can be common during pregnancy. Your body needs more oxygen, and as your pregnancy progresses, your growing uterus can also make it harder to take the gloriously deep breath you remember from your pre-pregnancy days.
You may particularly notice it when walking uphill, climbing stairs or trying to maintain a conversation while doing either.
However, sudden or severe breathlessness — particularly with chest pain, fainting, a racing heart or feeling very unwell — needs medical assessment.
So yes, being a little puffed can be part of pregnancy.
Feeling as though you genuinely cannot breathe is different.
3. Is all this vaginal discharge normal?
This is an extremely common question — even if patients sometimes hesitate to ask it.
An increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is usually normal. Hormonal changes and increased blood flow contribute to it, and you may notice more discharge as your pregnancy progresses.
Normal pregnancy discharge is generally clear or whitish and shouldn't have a particularly unpleasant smell.
If it becomes smelly, green or brown, causes itching or soreness, or is otherwise noticeably different, tell your obstetrician or midwife.
And later in pregnancy, if you experience a gush or ongoing trickle of clear fluid and wonder whether your waters have broken, please call rather than trying to solve the mystery at home.
We are very accustomed to these conversations. I promise you won't be the first person to call and say, "I'm not quite sure what just happened…"
4. Why are my gums bleeding when I brush my teeth?
Here's one that catches a lot of women by surprise.
Pregnancy hormones can affect your gums, making them more sensitive and more likely to become inflamed or bleed.
It doesn't mean you should stop brushing them — quite the opposite.
Continue looking after your teeth and gums and keep up your regular dental care. And yes, you can see your dentist while you're pregnant. Just make sure they know that you're pregnant.
Pregnancy is an excellent time to pay a little extra attention to oral health rather than putting dental appointments off until after the baby arrives.
Because, speaking from experience, "I'll have loads more time once the baby is here" is not usually how that story ends.
5. Why do I keep waking up at 3am?
If you're exhausted all day and then inexplicably wide awake in the middle of the night, welcome to one of pregnancy's less charming tricks.
Sleep can become more difficult as pregnancy progresses for all sorts of reasons:
- needing to urinate more frequently
- difficulty getting comfortable
- reflux or heartburn
- leg cramps
- baby deciding that bedtime is the perfect opportunity for gymnastics
- and, of course, a brain that suddenly wants to contemplate every detail of impending parenthood at 3:07am.
Good sleep habits, a comfortable sleeping position and managing things such as reflux can help.
If poor sleep is becoming persistent or significantly affecting how you're functioning during the day, mention it at your appointment. And if anxiety or low mood is contributing to your sleeplessness, please tell us that too.
Your mental wellbeing is part of your pregnancy care.
6. Why is my nose constantly blocked?
You don't necessarily have the world's longest cold.
Some women develop nasal congestion during pregnancy thanks to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the lining of the nose.
It can mean a stuffy nose, sneezing and occasionally nosebleeds — which is particularly annoying if you're already struggling to sleep.
Saline nasal sprays may be useful, but if you want to use medication, including antihistamines or decongestants, check with your doctor, obstetrician or pharmacist about what is appropriate during pregnancy.
And here in Melbourne, as we head into spring, remember that pregnancy-related nasal congestion and our city's enthusiastic hay-fever season can arrive at the same time. A truly delightful combination.
7. Why am I getting terrible leg cramps at night?
You're finally comfortable.
You've arranged the pillows.
You've fallen asleep.
And then your calf decides it is time to stage a rebellion.
Leg cramps are common during pregnancy, particularly later in pregnancy and often at night. Stretching the calf, gently moving around and staying well hydrated may help.
But there is an important distinction here.
Pain, redness, warmth or swelling in one leg — particularly if it doesn't settle — needs medical attention, because pregnancy increases the risk of blood clots.
A brief muscle cramp that eases is one thing. Persistent one-sided pain or swelling is something I want to know about.
8. Why does my belly suddenly go rock hard?
Quite often, the answer is Braxton Hicks contractions.
These are sometimes called "practice contractions". Your uterus tightens and your abdomen may suddenly feel very firm before relaxing again.
Braxton Hicks tend to be irregular, are often uncomfortable rather than painful and don't progressively become stronger and closer together. They may also settle when you change position, rest, walk around, have a warm shower or drink some water.
Labour contractions, on the other hand, tend to develop a pattern and become stronger, longer and closer together.
If you are less than 37 weeks and experiencing regular contractions, pelvic pressure, abdominal or lower-back pain, contact your maternity team promptly.
And at any gestation, if you're staring at a stopwatch wondering, "Are these contractions?", call us.
You don't need to diagnose labour before you're allowed to ask.
9. Is my baby moving enough?
This is one question I never want you to feel silly asking.
There isn't one magic number of movements that's right for every baby. What matters is getting to know your baby's usual pattern of movement.
As pregnancy progresses, the type of movement may change — enormous somersaults may become rolls, stretches and jabs as space becomes tighter — but healthy babies should continue to move every day right up until birth.
If you notice that your baby's movements have reduced or changed from their normal pattern, contact my rooms immediately. Do not wait until tomorrow to see what happens.
Don't rely on drinking something cold, eating something sugary or using a home Doppler to reassure yourself.
We would much rather assess you and find that everything is perfectly fine than have you sitting at home worrying that you're "making a fuss".
You're not.
10. How do I know when something really isn't normal?
This is perhaps the most important question of all.
Pregnancy comes with aches, pains, strange sensations and bodily functions nobody warned you about. Most are harmless.
But there are symptoms that deserve prompt medical attention.
- vaginal bleeding
- severe or persistent abdominal pain
- leaking clear fluid from the vagina
- fever or chills
- significant shortness of breath or a racing heartbeat
- severe or persistent headache
- blurred vision or other visual changes
- sudden or significant swelling, particularly of the face or hands
- persistent pain, redness or swelling in one leg
- severe vomiting or feeling very unwell
- or, importantly, reduced or changed movements from your baby.
Sometimes there isn't a neat symptom to put on a list.
Sometimes a patient simply says to me, "Something doesn't feel right."
That matters too.
If you are our patient you can contact us at any time, never feel like a question or concern is too small or silly.
Please Ask the Question
After many years looking after pregnant women, I can assure you that I've heard just about every pregnancy question imaginable.
Nothing is too embarrassing. Nothing is too trivial. And you don't earn bonus points for sitting at home worrying because you didn't want to bother your obstetrician.
Google can be very useful. It can also turn an entirely normal pregnancy symptom into something terrifying in approximately 30 seconds.
So ask the question.
One of the advantages of having an obstetrician who knows you and your pregnancy is having someone who can put a symptom into context — your gestation, your medical history, your baby's health and what has been happening throughout your pregnancy.
Sometimes the answer will simply be, "Yes, that's completely normal."
Sometimes we'll want to take a closer look.
Both are good reasons to ask.
Dr Stephen Cole is a Melbourne obstetrician and Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, providing personalised pregnancy care including care for uncomplicated pregnancies, high-risk pregnancies and multiple pregnancies.
This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are pregnant and concerned about a symptom or about your baby's movements, contact your obstetrician, midwife or maternity hospital.