This page is reference material, not medical advice. If you have a sudden severe symptom — heavy bleeding, severe headache with vision changes, sudden severe swelling, severe abdominal pain, fluid leak before 37 weeks, reduced fetal movement after 28 weeks, or thoughts of harming yourself — call your midwife or 999 immediately. When in doubt, always call.
A
All trimesters
Acne and skin breakouts
Hormonal acne is common in T1 and again in T3. Use gentle cleansers and pregnancy-safe ingredients (azelaic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide). Avoid retinoids/isotretinoin, salicylic acid in high concentration, and benzoyl peroxide.
Normal: mild to moderate breakouts that improve in T2.
Call: severe cystic acne (may need pregnancy-safe topical antibiotics).
All trimesters
Anxiety
Pregnancy anxiety is very common and often missed. Racing thoughts, worry about the baby, panic attacks, insomnia, hyper-vigilance. Treatable.
Normal: mild worry that comes and goes.
Call: persistent anxiety affecting sleep, work or relationships, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts.
B
T2 T3
Back pain
Affects 50–70% of pregnancies. Caused by hormonal loosening of ligaments, weight gain and shifting centre of gravity. See our full back pain relief guide.
Normal: dull lower-back ache, worse at the end of the day, eased by rest, side-sleeping with knee pillow and gentle stretches.
Call: severe pain, regular waves of pain (could be early labour), pain with fever or burning urination, pain with vaginal bleeding.
All trimesters
Bleeding gums
Pregnancy gingivitis is common — gums become softer and bleed when brushed. Caused by progesterone and increased blood volume. Brush gently with a soft toothbrush, floss daily, see a dentist.
Normal: mild bleeding when brushing or flossing.
Call dentist: heavily bleeding, painful or swollen gums, loose teeth.
T1
Breast tenderness
One of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. Breasts feel sore, swollen, with darker areolas. Wear a supportive non-underwired bra. Eases by week 14 for most women.
Normal: sensitivity, fullness, tingling, areola darkening.
Call: a hot, red, painful patch (could be infection in T3 or postpartum mastitis).
C
T1 T3
Cramping
Mild cramping in T1 is often the uterus stretching and is usually harmless. In T3, irregular cramping is often Braxton-Hicks "practice" contractions.
Normal: mild crampy sensations, especially after walking or sex; settle with rest.
Call: cramping with bleeding (any trimester), regular painful cramps before 37 weeks, severe one-sided pain.
All trimesters
Constipation
Up to 40% of pregnancies. Caused by progesterone slowing the gut and (in T3) the uterus pressing on the bowel. Iron supplements make it worse.
Normal: harder, less frequent stools — manage with fibre, water, walking, prunes, magnesium.
Call: no bowel movement for >5 days, severe abdominal pain, blood in stool.
D
T2 T3
Dizziness
Caused by lower blood pressure in T2 (vessels relax) and by uterine compression of major vessels in T3 (especially when standing or lying flat on your back).
Normal: brief light-headedness on standing, eased by sitting / lying on side, eating and drinking regularly.
Call: fainting, dizziness with vision changes / severe headache, dizziness with palpitations or chest pain.
E
All trimesters
Edema (swelling)
See Swelling below.
F
T1 T3
Fatigue
Profound tiredness in T1 (high progesterone, body building the placenta) and again in T3 (carrying weight, broken sleep). Often eases in T2.
Normal: needing afternoon naps, going to bed earlier than usual.
Call: extreme exhaustion not explained by sleep — could be anaemia, hypothyroidism or depression.
All trimesters
Frequent urination
T1 because of hormonal kidney changes; T3 because the uterus presses on the bladder.
Normal: needing the toilet much more often, including 1–3 times per night.
Call: burning, pain, blood in urine, fever, lower back pain — likely UTI, treat promptly.
G
All trimesters
Gas and bloating
Progesterone slows gut transit, causing bloating and trapped wind. Common throughout pregnancy.
Normal: bloating after meals, more wind than usual.
Call: severe persistent bloating with pain or vomiting.
H
All trimesters
Headaches
Common in T1 (hormonal) and T3 (tiredness, dehydration, posture). Paracetamol is safe; avoid ibuprofen after 20 weeks.
Normal: mild tension headaches, eased by water, rest and paracetamol.
Call (urgent): sudden severe headache, headache with vision changes, headache with swelling of face/hands — possible pre-eclampsia.
T2 T3
Heartburn
Up to 80% of pregnancies. Hormonal relaxation of the stomach valve plus uterine pressure. See our heartburn relief guide.
Normal: burning chest sensation after meals or when lying down.
Call: upper-right abdominal pain (not chest), pain with vision changes or severe headache — could be pre-eclampsia.
T3
Hemorrhoids
Caused by increased blood volume + uterine pressure + constipation. Common in T3 and after birth. Use witch hazel pads, sitz baths, fibre, and pregnancy-safe creams.
Normal: small swellings around the anus, mild itching or bleeding when straining.
Call: heavy bleeding, severe pain (could be a thrombosed haemorrhoid).
I
T3
Insomnia
Up to 80% of women in T3. Caused by heartburn, frequent urination, hip pain, vivid dreams, restless legs and the bump itself. See sleep positions guide.
Normal: waking 2–4 times a night, taking longer to fall asleep.
Call: total insomnia for several nights, severe daytime exhaustion or low mood — could indicate anxiety/depression.
L
T2 T3
Leg cramps
Sudden painful cramps in calves or feet, usually at night. Cause not fully understood — magnesium, calcium and hydration help. Stretch the calf before bed.
Normal: brief sharp cramps that ease with stretching.
Call: persistent calf pain, swelling or redness in one leg only — could be DVT (deep vein thrombosis).
M
All trimesters
Mood swings
Hormonal fluctuations + sleep deprivation + life adjustment = emotional rollercoaster. Tearfulness, irritability, sudden joy or sadness all normal.
Normal: emotions changing within a day, feeling more sensitive than usual.
Call: persistent low mood, hopelessness, inability to enjoy anything, intrusive thoughts.
T1 Early T2
Morning sickness (nausea and vomiting)
Affects up to 70% of pregnancies. Peaks around weeks 8–10, usually settling by 14–16. See our 15 evidence-based remedies.
Normal: nausea most days, vomiting up to a few times daily; able to keep some fluids and food down.
Call: unable to keep any fluids down for >24 hrs, weight loss, dark urine — possible hyperemesis gravidarum.
N
All trimesters
Nasal congestion (rhinitis of pregnancy)
Up to 30% of pregnancies. Increased blood flow swells nasal tissue. Saline rinses, humidifier, sleeping propped up help.
Normal: blocked or runny nose without other illness symptoms.
Call: nosebleeds that won't stop after 20 minutes pressure.
P
T2 T3
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP / SPD)
Pain in the pubic bone, hips or sacroiliac joints — sharp on movements like getting out of the car or rolling over in bed. Affects ~1 in 5. Pelvic physiotherapy and a support belt help.
Normal: sharp pelvic pain on certain movements, no fever, no bleeding.
Call: severe pain limiting walking, fever, vaginal bleeding alongside pelvic pain.
R
T3
Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
Affects up to 30% in T3. Crawling sensation in the legs, urge to move them, especially at night. Often linked to low iron or folate. Check supplements with your midwife.
Normal: evening leg restlessness eased by walking or stretching.
Call: severe RLS preventing sleep — may need iron infusion.
T2
Round ligament pain
Sharp brief pain in the lower abdomen or groin, especially when changing position or sneezing. Caused by stretching ligaments supporting the uterus. Peaks weeks 14–24.
Normal: brief sharp twinges, eased by changing position slowly.
Call: persistent severe pain, pain with bleeding or fever.
S
T2 T3
Sciatica
Sharp pain shooting from the buttock down one leg, often with tingling or numbness. Caused by uterine or pelvic ligament pressure on the sciatic nerve. See back pain guide for relief.
Normal: intermittent shooting pain, eased by stretching, side-sleeping with knee pillow.
Call: severe weakness in the leg, loss of bladder/bowel control, pain in both legs — emergency.
T3
Shortness of breath
Common in T3 — uterus pushes the diaphragm up. Breathlessness on stairs is normal.
Normal: getting breathless climbing stairs, eased by upright posture.
Call (urgent): sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, breathless at rest, breathless with leg swelling — could be a blood clot.
All trimesters
Skin changes (linea nigra, melasma)
Linea nigra: a dark vertical line on the bump. Melasma: dark patches on cheeks/forehead ("mask of pregnancy"). Both fade after birth. Sunscreen helps prevent darkening.
Normal: increased pigmentation in T2/T3.
Call: new moles changing rapidly in size or colour.
T2 T3
Stretch marks
Affect 50–90% of women. Pink, red or purple lines on the bump, breasts, hips, thighs. Genetic largely. Moisturise to ease itching; nothing prevents them. Fade to silver post-birth.
Normal: appearing in T2/T3, sometimes itchy.
Call: intense itching all over body, especially palms and soles — could be obstetric cholestasis.
T3
Swelling (edema)
Mild swelling in feet, ankles and hands is normal in T3. Eases overnight, worse end of day.
Normal: gradual mild swelling, both sides, eased by elevation.
Call (urgent): sudden severe swelling of face/hands/feet, especially with headache, vision changes or upper-right abdominal pain — possible pre-eclampsia. One-sided calf swelling — possible DVT.
U
All trimesters
UTI symptoms (urinary tract infection)
Pregnancy increases UTI risk. Burning when peeing, frequent urge, cloudy urine, lower back pain. UTIs in pregnancy must be treated promptly to avoid kidney involvement.
Not normal: all UTI symptoms warrant medical assessment in pregnancy.
Call same day: burning, blood in urine, fever, flank pain.
V
All trimesters
Vaginal discharge
Increases during pregnancy ("leucorrhoea"). White or clear, mild smell. Wear cotton underwear, avoid douching.
Normal: milky-white, mild smell, no itching or burning.
Call: green/yellow/grey, foul smell, itching/burning, blood-tinged in T2 (could be cervical issue), watery gush before 37 weeks (could be waters breaking).
All trimesters
Vaginal bleeding
Always warrants medical assessment in pregnancy. May be harmless (implantation, post-sex spotting, mucus plug in T3) but can also signal miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta praevia or placental abruption.
Always call: any bleeding in pregnancy. Most cases are not emergencies but all need assessment. Heavy bright-red bleeding with pain — call 999.
T2 T3
Varicose veins
Swollen veins in the legs, vulva or rectum. Caused by increased blood volume + progesterone + uterine pressure. Compression stockings, leg elevation and walking help.
Normal: visible blue-purple veins, achy legs by end of day.
Call: red, hot, painful or hard veins — possible thrombophlebitis.
How to use this pregnancy symptoms reference
Pregnancy turns your body into a constantly-changing landscape. Some of the changes are well known — morning sickness, fatigue, the bump itself — but most pregnant women experience dozens of smaller symptoms they didn't expect, and don't always know whether to worry about. This A–Z is meant as a fast reference. Find the symptom you're experiencing, read the "normal" line for context, and check the "call" line for the warning signs that mean you should phone your midwife the same day.
Most pregnancy symptoms fall into three categories:
- Hormonal effects — driven by progesterone, oestrogen, hCG and relaxin. These cause nausea, fatigue, mood changes, breast tenderness, gum bleeding, congestion and gut slowing.
- Mechanical effects — the growing uterus pressing on or stretching surrounding tissues. Causes back pain, sciatica, frequent urination, heartburn, breathlessness, round ligament pain.
- Cardiovascular effects — pregnancy increases blood volume by ~50%. Causes swelling, varicose veins, dizziness on standing, faster heart rate, nasal congestion.
Symptoms by trimester
First trimester (weeks 1–13)
Dominated by hormones. Nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, sore breasts, frequent urination, food aversions, mood swings, mild headaches, bloating. Many women say T1 is the hardest — and yet they don't yet have a bump to show for it. Read the first trimester guide for the full picture.
Second trimester (weeks 14–27)
The "golden period." Many T1 symptoms ease. New ones arrive: back pain, round ligament pain, first kicks (around weeks 16–22), nasal congestion, gum bleeding, leg cramps, mild swelling. See the second trimester guide.
Third trimester (weeks 28–40)
Mechanical symptoms dominate. Heartburn, insomnia, sciatica, swelling, shortness of breath, pelvic pain, Braxton-Hicks contractions, varicose veins, restless legs, vivid dreams. See the third trimester guide and the signs of labour guide as you approach due date.
What's always urgent
Some symptoms are emergencies regardless of trimester or context. Call your maternity unit or 999 immediately if you have:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Severe one-sided abdominal pain
- Sudden severe headache, especially with vision changes (blurring, spots, flashing)
- Sudden severe swelling of face, hands or feet
- Fluid leak before 37 weeks
- Reduced or absent fetal movement after 28 weeks (see our kick counts guide)
- Severe shortness of breath, especially with leg swelling or chest pain (possible blood clot)
- Persistent vomiting with inability to keep fluids down (hyperemesis)
- Intense itching of palms and soles, especially with dark urine (possible cholestasis)
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Tracking symptoms helps spot patterns
Many pregnancy symptoms are easier to manage when you can spot what triggers them. A meal-by-meal diary often reveals heartburn triggers within a week. A daily mood check-in flags low mood early enough to act. Tracking sleep alongside symptoms uncovers the connection between heartburn, nighttime cramping and insomnia. Inside Baby Novum, the daily symptom check-in does this automatically — log what you're experiencing each day, and the app surfaces the patterns. Combined with the week-by-week fetal development view, you get a complete picture of how the pregnancy is progressing for both you and the baby.
FAQ — Pregnancy symptoms
What pregnancy symptoms are emergencies?
Severe headache with vision changes, sudden severe swelling of face/hands/feet, heavy vaginal bleeding, severe one-sided abdominal pain, fluid leak before 37 weeks, reduced fetal movement after 28 weeks, severe shortness of breath, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby — all require immediate medical attention. Call your maternity unit or 999.
Are most pregnancy symptoms harmless?
Yes — the majority of pregnancy symptoms (nausea, fatigue, heartburn, swelling, back pain, breast tenderness, frequent urination, mood changes) are normal physiological responses to hormonal and physical changes. They can be miserable but are not dangerous. The key is knowing the warning signs that distinguish "normal" from "call your midwife today."
Do pregnancy symptoms differ by trimester?
Yes. The first trimester is dominated by nausea, fatigue and breast tenderness. The second trimester (the "golden period") often eases T1 symptoms but introduces back pain, round ligament pain and the first kicks. The third trimester adds swelling, heartburn, sleep difficulty, sciatica and Braxton-Hicks contractions.
When should I worry about a missing symptom?
Sudden disappearance of pregnancy symptoms — like nausea or breast tenderness — in the first trimester can sometimes signal a miscarriage but is also common as your body adjusts. Most women whose symptoms ease have perfectly healthy pregnancies. If you're worried, especially with bleeding or cramping, contact your midwife.
Can pregnancy symptoms tell me the baby's sex?
No. Old wives' tales (carrying high vs. low, severe nausea, sweet vs. salty cravings, fetal heart rate) have no scientific basis for predicting biological sex. The only reliable methods are a 10-week NIPT blood test or the anatomy scan at 18–22 weeks.
Why do my symptoms feel worse than my friend's?
Every pregnancy is different — even within the same woman. Hormone levels, baby's position, your fitness, work, support network and genetics all affect how symptoms feel. Avoid comparison; trust your body and call your midwife if anything feels off.
Can I take any medicines for pregnancy symptoms?
Some yes, some no. Paracetamol is safe at the lowest effective dose. Antacids like Tums and Gaviscon are safe. Avoid ibuprofen after 20 weeks. Always check with your pharmacist or midwife before taking anything — including supplements and herbal remedies.
Pregnancy symptoms — at a glance
Pregnancy creates dozens of changes across your body — most caused by hormones, your growing uterus, and a 50% increase in blood volume. The vast majority of symptoms are normal and not dangerous, even when they feel awful. The minority that are urgent are well-defined: heavy bleeding, severe headache with vision changes, sudden major swelling, severe one-sided pain, fluid leak before 37 weeks, reduced fetal movement after 28 weeks, severe breathlessness, intense whole-body itching, persistent vomiting that won't keep fluids down, and any thoughts of harming yourself. For everything else, the framework on this page applies: read what's normal, check the warning sign, manage with the practical steps, and call your midwife if anything is sudden, severe or doesn't fit. When in doubt — always call. Maternity teams would rather see you and find nothing than have you wait at home with something that needed attention.