KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) shares the common symptoms that an expecting mother will experience during her first, second and third trimesters.
First trimester
Second and third trimester
Below is information for more symptoms that you may experience during your pregnancy as well as some home-remedies that can be done. We have highlighted some of the dangerous (red-flag) symptoms that should prompt you to see your doctor immediately.
Early pregnancy symptoms: What to do, what to avoid and when to seek help
1) Nausea and vomiting
Also known as 'morning sickness', these symptoms can happen all day, and can occasionally be very severe. For most women who have morning sickness, the symptoms start when they're around 4 to 6 weeks pregnant and sometimes can last till as late as second trimester
Do's
Have small frequent snacks of bland food to keep your stomach from being empty.
If you are nauseous when you wake in the morning, keep some dry crackers or toast next to your bed.
Exercise only when you feel well enough to do so.
Poor food and fluid intake due to morning sickness can increase the risk of dehydration. Do remember to drink enough fluids and exercise in a cool environment.
Don'ts
Avoid foods that are fatty, acidic, or spicy.
Avoid tobacco smoke and smells that make you nauseated.
When to seek medical attention
If you have severe vomiting, cannot retain any food, and lose more than 10% of your pre-pregnancy weight, please see your doctor immediately. There are effective anti-vomiting medications that are safe for you and your baby, thus do seek medical help early if you are unwell. |
2) Food aversion/cravings
You may notice a strange taste in your mouth, crave new foods, have a more sensitive sense of smell than usual, and no longer like some foods or drinks you used to enjoy.
Do's
Don'ts
Avoid binging on high-calorie and high-fat food.
Avoid raw/undercooked meat (e.g. sashimi), raw/partially cooked eggs.
3) Loss of appetite
It is normal to lose appetite during pregnancy. Studies have shown that 60% of pregnant women experience food aversions. Contributing factors include changing hormones and psyche during pregnancy. The loss of appetite may also be related to nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. This usually occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, generally settling down later into the pregnancy.
Do's
Eat smaller, more frequent meals, and eat foods that you enjoy!
Substitute foods that you do not have appetite for with other alternatives
You could disguise green vegetables by having them together with fruity smoothies!
Be creative with the ways you modify your diet to suit your changing taste buds!
Don'ts
When to seek medical attention
If you have severe nausea and vomiting and are unable to take in fluids or food at all, or if you feel symptoms of dizziness, weakness and increasing lethargy, please see your Doctor! |
4) Fatigue
A common symptom is feeling tired or run down. Hormonal changes in your body at this time can make you feel tired, sick, emotional and upset.
Do's
Take frequent naps and rest when you can.
Cut back on your work or daily activities, but engage in regular moderate activity, such as walking.
Eat regular meals to keep energy levels even.
Exercise only when you feel well enough to do so.
Remember to drink enough fluids and exercise in a cool environment.
5) Insomnia
You may have difficulty sleeping due to discomfort, sweating, leg cramps, the baby kicking, or the need to urinate.
Do's
Try to unwind before going to bed with a warm bath, relaxing music, stress-relieving exercises and comfortable clothing.
6) Breast tenderness
Your breasts may become fuller and feel tender, just as they might do before your period. They may also tingle. The veins may be more visible, and the nipples may darken and stand out.
Do's
Wear a supportive bra. They may be more comfortable than bras you currently wear.
When to seek medical attention
If you notice a lump in your breast, you should consider seeing a Doctor for review. |
7) Headaches
Headaches are common symptoms due to increased blood circulation caused by hormonal changes.
Do's
Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and may be used.
When to seek medical attention
If your headache does not resolve with paracetamol, or if it is associated with fever, neck stiffness, visual changes, or high blood pressure, please visit your Doctor immediately. |
8) Dizziness
You may experience dizziness in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy as your blood pressure falls initially. Thus, if you stand for a long time or get up quickly from sitting or lying down, you may feel giddy.
Do's
Don'ts
When to seek medical attention
Seek medical attention if your symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath or palpitations. |
Late pregnancy symptoms: What to do, what to avoid and when to seek help
1) Contraction pain
Contractions will occur starting in the second trimester (Braxton Hicks contractions), but regular painful contractions that increase in frequency and intensity are not normal, especially when you are preterm (< 37 weeks). This may be a sign of labour.
Do's
Take note of the duration and frequency of contractions.
When to seek medical attention
Do see your Doctor if you have regular pain contractions that increase in frequency and intensity. |
2) Vaginal bleeding
Bleeding is never normal in pregnancy. If it happens in the first trimester, it may be a sign of miscarriage. After the second trimester, it may be a sign of labour, or placenta abnormalities.
Do's
Take note of the amount and frequency of bleeding.
When to seek medical attention
See a Doctor
immediately if you have vaginal bleeding. |
3) Leaking liqour
If you experience a gush of fluid, especially if it is persistent, you may likely have a broken waterbag or amniotic sac, also known as leaking liqour. If you are preterm (< 37 weeks), this is not normal and you need to see a Doctor immediately. If you are term (> 37 weeks), this may be a sign of labour.
Do's
Take note of the amount and frequency of leaking liquor.
When to seek medical attention
See a Doctor
immediately if you have leaking liquor. |
4) Decreased fetal movements
You will start to experience your baby’s movements in the second trimester onwards. From the third trimester, you can start to count baby movements. Generally, your baby should move every hour, or about 10 times a day.
Do's
If you do not feel your baby moving for a while, do lie on your side in a quiet room and pay attention to baby movements.
When to seek medical attention
If you still do not feel any movements in the next 1 hour, do see a Doctor
immediately. |
5) Heartburn or indigestion
Heartburn can feel like a burning feeling in your chest or throat. It is caused by the slowing down of your gastrointestinal tract and the relaxation of the muscles at the opening of the stomach, resulting in the reflux of the acidic gastric juices.
Do's
Eat small, frequent snacks rather than several large meals.
Elevate your head with propped up pillows when you go to bed.
Antacids are safe in pregnancy so you can try it for symptomatic relief.
Don'ts
Avoid fried, spicy, or acidic foods and drinks.
Avoid lying down after eating.
6) Constipation and Haemorrhoids (Piles)
Constipation means having trouble with bowel movements. It is very common to become constipated while you are pregnant as food cannot move through your intestines as quickly as before. This is aggravated by your womb putting pressure on your bowels.
Haemorrhoids (piles) are swollen veins in the anus and/or rectum. They are more common in pregnancy, and you may experience pain or bleeding from the rectum. Good news is they tend to disappear after delivery.
Do's
Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated, about an additional 200mls (about a glass) after each bout of diarrhoea on top of what you normally drink
Eat as soon as you are able to.
Try eating plain foods such as rice and wholemeal bread first.
Charcoal tablets are safe in pregnancy.
Don'ts
When to seek medical attention
For harmorrhoilds (piles), do see your Doctor if you have persistent pain or bleeding from the rectum. |
7) Loose stools (diarrhoea)
Loose or watery stools have the same causes in pregnancy as when you are not pregnant. It is most commonly caused by infection of the gut by germs, or irritation of the gut by spicy foods and medication. In most cases, diarrhoea will improve and go away within a few days.
Do's
Drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated, about an additional 200mls (about a glass) after each bout of diarrhoea on top of what you normally drink
Eat as soon as you are able
Try eating plain foods such as rice and wholemeal bread first
Charcoal tablets are safe in pregnancy.
Don'ts
When to seek medical attention
See your doctor if you suspect that you are becoming lacking in fluid, if your symptoms do not settle after 3-4 days, or if you are passing blood. |
8) Breathlessness
As the baby grows and compresses your diaphragm, you have less room to breathe. As you progress further into your third trimester, you may occasionally feel breathless.
Do's
Try switching up positions, such as sitting upright or sleeping on propped up pillows or lying on your side to allow more space for your chest to expand while breathing. Breathing exercises with slow, relaxed and deep inhalation and exhalation can also sometimes help.
When to seek medical help
If you feel persistent breathlessness and other symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, or dizziness, do see your Doctor
immediately. |
9) Hot flush
Pregnancy hot flushes result from changing hormone levels in pregnancy. They cause an increase in blood flow to your skin, making you feel flushed and warm. Your skin can look red and blotchy as well from the heat. Hot flushes are especially common at night, and are likely to peak at around 30 weeks.
Do's
Wear looser pieces of clothing, or keep your surroundings cool with a fan or aircon. You can also try taking a shower with lukewarm water, and keep hydrated with cooler drinks! Some studies have shown that yoga and working up a sweat can help to ease hot flushes. You may want to try that out!
10) Backaches/pelvic pain/groin pain
Pregnancy hormones relax the connective tissue that holds your bones in place, especially in the pelvic area. These changes can be tough on your back, and often result in discomfort during the third trimester.
Do's
When bending, keep your back straight and bend your knees.
Try to develop good posture.
Try back exercises for pregnant women.
Supportive garments that support your back and abdomen may also be helpful.
Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and can give you some pain relief.
Reduce your exercise intensity in pregnancy if you experience these symptoms.
Don'ts
When to seek medical help
Do see your Doctor
immediately if the pain is persistent despite paracetamol. |
11) Joint pain (knees, feet, shoulders)
In pregnancy, there is additional mechanical stress on your joints due to weight from your growing baby and changes to your centre of gravity. This may cause pain in various joints.
Do's
Stay active, continue gentle stretching and strengthening. Paracetamol is safe in pregnancy and can give you some pain relief.
When to seek medical help
See your doctor if the pain is persistent despite paracetamol. |
12) Lower limb swelling (Edema)
This is common as your body retains more fluids and your growing womb adds pressure to your legs — causing them to swell. It is worst at the end of the day especially in the third trimester.
Do's
Don'ts
When to seek medical help
Seek medical attention
immediately if you have high blood pressure, painful swelling of one leg, or palpitations and breathlessness. |
13) Leg cramps
The cause of leg cramps is not known for certain. Some believe cramps are caused by a calcium deficiency, and that calcium tablets may help. Others believe the cramps are caused by decreased circulation of blood.
Do's
Don'ts
14) Itch and rash
Itchy rash on the abdomen, hands and legs is quite common in pregnancy.
Do's
Use moisturising shower gels, and moisturisers after, to ensure that your skin remains hydrated and not dry.
When to seek medical help
Do see your Doctor
immediately if you have itch without a rash, or a persistent rash despite the use of moisturisers. |
15) Frequent urination
As the enlarging uterus puts pressure on your bladder, you may need to urinate more frequently.
Do's
Try to reduce your fluid intake before going to bed. Also, avoid drinks with caffeine, which can increase the frequency of urination.
When to seek medical help
If you have pain during urination or have a fever, do see your Doctor. |
16) Wrist pain or numbness in the hands (Carpal tunnel syndrome)
The fluid your body retains in pregnancy places increased pressure on the nerve in the wrist. Common symptoms can include numbness, and pins and needles in the fingers.
Do's
The following measures may help:
Use a wrist splint, if pain is present or worse at night.
Avoid sleeping on your hands.
Elevate your hands.
Keep active.
Check work ergonomics, avoid prolonged periods in the same position.
Perform wrist extension stretches – stretch your wrist backwards and press the fingers and palm towards you with your other hand.
Symptoms typically resolve after pregnancy.
Ref: J22
