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Lots of different things happen to your body when you're pregnant and - especially if you’re pregnant for the first time - it's not always easy to know when to ask for help.  

Here are some basic guidelines: 

It is good to become familiar with your healthcare providers' policies regarding phone calls, home visits, and on call coverage.

Once you know who will be on your health care support team, record their contact information and keep it in a safe and easy to access place.

See  your doctor or midwife right away or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 if you experience any of the following:  

• contact with rubella (German measles) there's a danger to your baby if you develop rubella during your pregnancy
• rashes of any kind except the ones you may normally develop, like eczema
• sudden, unusual thirst
• fever and/or coughing that isn’t getting better
• dizziness, headaches, dimming and/or blurring of vision
• sudden or continued swelling of your hands or face
• frequent vomiting, when you are unable to keep fluids down
• abdominal pain or if your abdomen feels hard
• bleeding from your vagina, bowel, or bladder
• a burning sensation when peeing
• coloured, frothy and/or foul smelling vaginal discharge
• vaginal discharge causing itchiness or irritation
• a gush or trickle of water from your vagina
• constant negative feelings or anxiety about your pregnancy and care of the baby
• depression or periods of weeping that don’t go away
• violence or threatening behaviour towards you in your home or workplace
• feeling that your baby’s movements have slowed considerably in the last 12 hours
• signs of preterm labour 

Share this information with your partner or support person so you all know what to watch for.