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Symptoms that need urgent medical advice
Get urgent help straight away if you notice any of the following in your second and third trimesters:
- changes in your baby’s usual movement pattern
- vaginal bleeding or fluid leaking from the vagina
- severe or ongoing abdominal pain
- severe headache, vision changes, or shortness of breath
- thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
- agitation, confusion, overwhelming anxiety, or feeling unable to cope with daily life
- sudden or severe changes in mood, behaviour, or thinking
- any concern about your own health or your baby’s wellbeing.
To get help, you can:
- contact your maternity assessment unit or the emergency contact provided by your maternity care team including after hours
- go to your nearest emergency department or maternity unit
- call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance, police or fire services.
- your local mental health service.
Trust your instincts
You are never wasting anyone’s time by asking questions or seeking reassurance. Your concerns matter and will be taken seriously. Maternity providers have trained staff who will listen, assess your symptoms and give advice.
Normal emotional and mental health changes
It’s common to notice some emotional changes during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, including:
- mood changes or mild anxiety
- feeling more tired or having trouble sleeping
- mild worries about the birth, your baby, or caring for a newborn.
These feelings are usually temporary and manageable with support.
If you are worried about your mental health or if your feelings begin to interfere with your day-to-day life, help is available.