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Warning signs in pregnancy: when to stop and get help
Stop exercising and contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit if you notice bleeding, fluid leaking, regular painful contractions, the baby moving less than usual, calf pain or swelling, chest pain or dizziness. Don't wait to see if it passes. If you have a medical problem, check with them before you start.
At a glance
- Stop and get advice if you notice a warning sign: bleeding, fluid leaking, regular painful contractions, the baby moving less than usual, calf pain or swelling, chest pain and dizziness are all on the standard lists1,2,3,4.
- Don't push through dizziness, palpitations, breathlessness or chest pain: stop, and get advice.
- Call at any hour: if your waters break, you bleed, or the baby moves less than usual, contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away, even at night7.
- If you have a medical problem or special instructions, check with your midwife or doctor before you start an exercise plan2.
Which symptoms mean you should stop exercising while pregnant?
Stop exercising and get advice from your midwife or doctor if you have vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, the baby moving less than usual, pain or swelling in a calf, chest pain or dizziness1,2,3,4. Other signs that mean stopping include shortness of breath, a racing or irregular heartbeat, headache, blurred vision, pain in your tummy or pelvis, muscle weakness and extreme tiredness1,2,3,4.
Dizziness, palpitations, breathlessness and chest pain aren't things to push through or ease off for. Stop, and get advice from a midwife or doctor. Palpitations with chest pain, breathlessness or fainting need emergency help (see the last section). Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit rather than waiting to see if a sign passes.
Braxton-Hicks tightenings are irregular, uncomfortable but not painful, and they ease with rest. Regular painful contractions are different: stop and get advice5. If you're not sure which you have, rest and notice whether they ease. If they don't, or they come regularly and hurt, get advice.
Breathlessness, tiredness and leg swelling are common in a normal pregnancy, which is why they can be hard to judge. If they are sudden, strong or unusual for you, or come with other symptoms, get them checked by a midwife or doctor6. Unusual or extreme tiredness isn't an emergency, but have a doctor or midwife check it rather than pushing on.
When should you contact your midwife or maternity unit straight away?
Contact them straight away, even in the middle of the night, if your waters break, you have vaginal bleeding, your baby is moving less than usual, or you're under 37 weeks and think you might be in labour7. Don't wait until the next day. A change in your baby's movements can sometimes be a sign of a problem, so get help if you notice any change8.
Call for guidance if you think you're in labour, if your contractions come regularly every 5 minutes or more often, or if you're worried about anything9,7. You don't need to be sure first.
A contraction lasting longer than 2 minutes, or 6 or more contractions every 10 minutes, is an urgent sign7. If you're under 37 weeks and have regular tummy cramps or tightenings, call your maternity unit immediately. It could be premature labour, which needs monitoring in hospital10. Local services may set slightly different time limits, so follow their advice.
If any danger sign in pregnancy is present, seek medical help immediately11.
Who should check with their midwife or doctor before exercising in pregnancy?
Anyone with a medical problem, or anyone who has been given special instructions by their midwife or doctor, should check with them before starting an exercise plan2. The same goes if you have a pregnancy complication. Your midwife or doctor knows your pregnancy and can tell you what suits you, so you don't need to work it out alone.
Mention your plans to be active at your next appointment and ask what suits you. If you've been given any special instructions, follow them.
How you feel will change as pregnancy goes on. There may be times when following the usual guideline isn't possible because of tiredness or the discomforts of pregnancy. On those days, do what you can, and return to your routine when you're able12. Starting gently is fine.
When to check with a health professional
If you're starting exercise after a long break, it's always a good idea to see your doctor first.
For an injury or a health condition, see a health professional, such as your doctor or a physio.
Call your local emergency number for chest pain or pressure (or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, especially with sweating or feeling sick), severe breathlessness, fainting or collapse, signs of a stroke, a serious injury, or someone who isn't safe.
Heavy bleeding is also an emergency: call your local emergency number rather than waiting for a call back. Bleeding, fluid leaking, regular painful contractions, the baby moving less, calf pain or swelling, or a bad headache or changes in vision need the midwife, doctor or maternity unit straight away, even when they seem mild and even at night. Don't wait until the next day.
For anything else, such as a sore muscle or joint, ease off, and get advice if it persists. For the general guide, see Warning signs to stop and get help.
Quick answers
What should I do if I feel dizzy while exercising in pregnancy?
Stop what you're doing and sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Dizziness isn't something to push through. Contact your midwife, doctor or maternity unit for advice rather than waiting to see if it passes, and don't carry on with the session.
Who do I call if I can't reach my midwife?
If you can't reach your midwife or maternity unit, use a general health advice line. You can call at any hour, and you don't need to wait until the morning or until you're sure something is wrong. Keeping the numbers saved in your phone makes this easier.
Related guides
- GuideTest contentHow pregnancy changes your body for exerciseIn pregnancy your heart works harder at the same pace, your balance and posture shift, and lying flat on your back becomes less suitable after about 16 weeks. Use the talk test, move steadily and choose propped-up or side-lying positions.
- GuideTest contentPelvic floor in pregnancy and afterThe pelvic floor is a layer of muscle that supports your bladder, bowel and womb, and pregnancy stretches it. Pelvic floor exercises in pregnancy lower the chance of leaking wee: start with quick squeezes, then slower holds. Leaking is common and you don't need to stop being active.
- GuideTest contentStaying active while pregnantMost healthy pregnant women are advised to aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity a week, and any amount counts. You can start even if you weren't active before: begin small, build up gradually, and check with your midwife or doctor if you have a health condition.
- GuideTest contentWhich activities suit each stage of pregnancyGentle, low-impact activity such as walking, swimming and stationary cycling suits all three trimesters. Avoid sports where you could be hit or fall, and avoid lying flat on your back later in pregnancy. If you already run or lift weights, you can usually carry on at a moderate effort.
Sources
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. Exercise guidance during pregnancy.
- Whittington Health NHS Trust (2026). Exercise during pregnancy (patient information leaflet).
- Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group. Exercising safely during pregnancy.
- Norfolk and Waveney Community Musculoskeletal Services (NHS). Physical activity during pregnancy.
- Meah VL, Davies GA, Davenport MH (2020). Why can't I exercise during pregnancy? Time to revisit medical 'absolute' and 'relative' contraindications: systematic review of evidence of harm and a call to action. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
- Adedinsewo DA et al. (2026). Heart failure occurring in the perinatal period: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation.
- NHS. Signs that labour has begun.
- NHS. Pregnancy symptoms you need to get help for.
- NHS. The stages of labour and birth.
- NHS. Stomach pain in pregnancy.
- Yunitasari E et al. (2023). Pregnant woman awareness of obstetric danger signs in developing country: systematic review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth.
- Mottola MF et al. (2018). No. 367-2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada.
General information to help you get active, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or symptoms, check with a health professional.
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