Danger Signs During Pregnancy

Danger Signs During Pregnancy

A danger sign during pregnancy indicates severe illness of the pregnant woman. It is important that pregnant women and their families be able to recognize danger signs and go to the clinic or hospital immediately. Delaying to seek health care can result in loss of life of the mother and her unborn baby.

1. Vaginal bleeding 
2. Hot body
3. Convulsions
4. Swollen hands and face
5. Severe headache
6. Bad smelling vaginal discharge
7. Reduced or no movements of the unborn baby 
8. Breaking waters 

  Go to the clinic or hospital immediately if any of these danger signs are experienced or noticed.

Emergency and birth preparedness plan 

An emergency and birth preparedness plan is a plan that assists the family to deal with onset of labour and unexpected complications or emergencies that may occur during pregnancy, child birth, or immediately after birth. Partners and families should have an emergency and birth preparedness plan which includes all of the following:

Components of the birth preparedness plan

• Identify the hospital or clinic you will give birth at.
• Identify the person who will take care of other children ta home when you go to give birth.
• Set aside funds for emergencies and other health care related costs.
• Identify a companion who will go with the pregnant woman to the hospital and be with her during labour and child birth.
• Arrange transport to take the pregnant woman to the hospital.
• Note the date the pregnant woman will go to the mothers waiting home (if the family lives in the rural areas and for from the clinic).
• Prepare clothes for the pregnant woman and warm clothes for the baby.
  

Constantly review the preparedness plan with the family during labour

The pregnant woman should to the health facility as soon as labour starts. The following signs show that the life of the mother and that of the unborn baby are in danger. This is an emergency!

1. Waters break before labour starts 
2. Baby's cord comes out through the vagina before baby is born 
3. Pregnant woman feels hot 
4. Vaginal bleeding 
5. Convulsions or fits
6. Reduced movements of the unborn baby 
7. Foul smelling discharge

It is encouraged for the pregnant woman to have companion of choice (partner/husband) during child birth 

Danger sings of the newborn and the mother after delivery 

Danger sings for the baby

Seek health care immediately!

1. Not feeding 
2. Too hot or too cold 
3. Chest in drawing of fast breathing 
4. No movement
5. Convulsions
6. Yellow palms or soles of feet
7. Bulging fontanelle
8. Depressed fontanelle
9. Vomiting everything
10. Experiencing periods of not breathing and/ or nasal flaring 
11. Redness or pus around the umbilicus
12. Draining pus from the eyes
13. Very small baby 
14. Many skin pustules on the abdomen
15. Pallor of the skin

Danger signs for the mother

A danger sign after child birth indicates severe illness of the woman who has given birth. It is important that all women who have recently given birth and their families be able to recognize danger signs and to the clinic or hospital immediately. Delaying to seek care can result in loss of life of the mother.

1. Heavy vaginal bleeding 
2. Convulsions or fits 
3. Severe headache
4. Hot body
5. Dizziness 
6. Temporary madness
7. Bad smelling discharge 
8. Full and painful breasts