Common early pregnancy symptoms
Some symptoms are common and usually not a cause for concern, including:
- mild nausea
- fatigue
- breast tenderness
- mild cramping without bleeding
- mood changes
- constipation.
If something does not feel right, it is okay to seek advice or care. Seeking advice early is part of safe, good care and can help prevent problems from becoming more serious.
Call Triple Zero (000) or go to an emergency department if you think this is an emergency or if symptoms are severe, sudden or getting worse.
When to contact your maternity care provider
Contact your maternity care provider if you feel unsafe in any way or notice:
- nausea or vomiting that affects normal daily activities
- painful urination
- back or pelvic pain
- ongoing low mood or anxiety
- concerns about tests, scans or decisions
- any vaginal bleeding
- severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- severe shortness of breath
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Call Triple Zero (000) straight away if you think this is an emergency.
If you are unsure, you can call your maternity care provider — or call 000 if you feel concerned.
Learn more
Warning signs during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth & Baby
Pregnancy and birth - Related emergencies | Better Health Channel
Where to get help
If your symptoms need urgent attention but are not life‑threatening, there are other services available in Victoria.
Home fetal heart monitors
The use of a handheld (home-use) doppler to check your baby's heartbeat is not recommended as it can give false reassurance. If you have any concerns about your baby, contact your maternity provider straight away.
Learn more
Post-market review of home-use foetal dopplers | Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)
Genetic screening
Genetic screening such as NiPT, maternal serum screening and second trimester screening can identify babies who may carry a difference in their genes. The gene or genes that are affected will determine what condition they may have and if further testing is required. The conditions most tested for are:
- Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) - people with Down Syndrome may have a range of physical features, health conditions and developmental differences, but the impact can vary from person to person.
- Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13) - associated with severe health and developmental difference that an effect multiple organs and systems. Many babies with Patau Syndrome do not survive pregnancy or early infancy.
- Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) - associated with significant health and developmental differences. Many affected babies do not survive pregnancy or the first year of life.
There are diagnostic tests available if you want to seek a definitive diagnosis.
More information
Amniocentesis
Pregnancy tests amniocentesis | Better Health Channel
Amniocentesis - about, genetic abnormality, risks | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Chorionic Villi Sampling (CVS)
Pregnancy tests – chorionic villus sampling | Better Health Channel
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
A genetic counsellor can help you understand your results, discuss your testing options, and support you to make decisions that are right for you and your family.
Trisomy disorders | Better Health Channel
Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Congenital CMV occurs when a baby becomes infected with CMV from their mother during pregnancy. CMV is a common virus that can spread through contact with saliva, urine and other body fluids, particularly from young children. If CMV is passed to a woman during pregnancy, it can sometimes cross the placenta and infect the baby.
While many babies with congenital CMV are healthy, some may experience hearing loss, developmental differences or other health concerns. Good hand hygiene and avoiding sharing food, drinks and utensils with young children can help reduce your chance of infection during pregnancy.
Learn more
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) | Better Health Channel
Miscarriage
Miscarriage is common and affects around 1 in 5 pregnancies. A miscarriage happens when a pregnancy stops developing before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
For some women, the pregnancy tissue will pass naturally. Others may need a medication or procedure to help the pregnancy tissue pass completely and safely.
You may learn you are experiencing a miscarriage in different ways. Your maternity care provider or other healthcare provider may use your symptoms such as pain or bleeding, an ultrasound and blood tests to confirm what is happening.
They may describe a miscarriage as:
- A complete miscarriage – where all pregnancy tissue has passed from the uterus
- An incomplete miscarriage – where some pregnancy tissue has passed, but some remains in the uterus
- A missed miscarriage – where the pregnancy has stopped developing, but the pregnancy tissue has not yet passed from the uterus.
If you think you may be having a miscarriage, seek advice from a healthcare professional, you can:
- contact your maternity care provider
- see your GP
- go to an urgent care clinic or hospital emergency department
- call the Maternal Child Health line on 13 22 29
- call Triple Zero (000).
People experience miscarriage in different ways. Feelings of grief and sadness are common but you may also feel relieved, numb, overwhelmed, or have mixed emotions. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Support is available if you need it.
Where to get help
Support for Pregnancy Loss & Miscarriage | Pink Elephants Support Network
Navigating miscarriage together | Miscarriage Australia
Grief And Loss Support | Red Nose Australia
Urgent care options
If what you are experiencing is urgent but not an emergency the below options may be useful for you:
Urgent care clinics
Walk-in to a free Urgent Care Clinic when you need immediate healthcare, but it's not life-threatening.
Nurse on call service
Free helpline that will connect you with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Virtual emergency care service
Free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service connects you to an emergency doctor or nurse from your computer, laptop or mobile phone
Maternal and Child Health Line
The confidential, 24-hour Maternal and Child Health Line (13 22 29) will connect you with a qualified maternal and child health nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week