Symptoms in Pregnancy

Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a common symptom seen in pregnancy, and has many different causes. During pregnancy, abdominal pain may result from obstetric or gynaecologic disorders related to the pregnancy, or it may be due to other causes not related to the pregnancy.

For more information, see Abdominal Pain.

Vaginal bleeding

Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy can be divided into vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy (<20 weeks gestation), or antepartum haemorrhage (>20 weeks gestation). Vaginal bleeding may be indicative of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, placenta praevia or abruptio placenta.

For more information, see Vaginal Bleeding.

Nausea and vomiting

During pregnancy up to 70-85% of women experience symptoms of nausea and approximately 50% experience vomiting. Often referred to as 'morning sickness' pregnancy induced nausea and vomiting can occur at any time of the day, and occurs most often when women are tired or hungry.

For more information, see Nausea and Vomiting.

Heartburn

Heartburn is a symptom commonly experienced by pregnant women such that some women and obstetricians even consider it to be a normal occurrence in a healthy pregnancy. Heartburn refers to a burning sensation or warmth behind the lower end of the breastbone. Other common accompanying symptoms include a bitter taste, fullness, burping and difficulty swallowing.

For more information, see Heartburn.

Weight gain

In general, most women gain between 11-16 kg throughout their pregnancy. The added weight results from the growing baby, the surrounding amniotic fluid and placenta, additional fat stores, growing breast and uterine tissue as well as an increase in blood volume.

For more information, see How Much Weight to Gain During Pregnancy.

More information

For more information about pregnancy, including preconception advice, stages of pregnancy, investigations, complications, living with pregnancy and birth, see Pregnancy.