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Warning-sign checks

Morning sickness: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services if you faint and do not recover promptly, become confused, have severe breathing difficulty, or are too weak to stand safely.

    Vomiting with one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, vaginal bleeding, or collapse in early pregnancy needs emergency assessment because these can be symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical assessment if you:

    • Cannot keep fluids down
    • Pass very little urine or have dark urine
    • Feel dizzy when standing or have nearly fainted
    • Have repeated vomiting with clear signs of dehydration
    • Vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
    • Have severe abdominal pain, fever, confusion, or a severe headache
    • Have painful urination or blood in your urine
    • Cannot keep essential medicines down

    An ectopic pregnancy develops outside the uterus and requires urgent care.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine assessment is also appropriate if symptoms are not improving, you are losing weight, or your current treatment is not helping.

The article also says

Contact your midwife, doctor, or pregnancy care service soon if nausea or vomiting is interfering with eating, drinking, sleep, medication, or normal activities.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Morning sickness. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.