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What to do if…
you are pregnant or have a positive pregnancy test and develop pain or bleeding

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Seek medical advice for pain or bleeding during pregnancy, even when the symptoms are mild. Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, fainting or feel very unwell; otherwise contact your maternity unit, midwife, early pregnancy unit or GP today, or use 111 in England, Scotland or Wales; in Northern Ireland, use your GP, GP out-of-hours or the relevant local urgent-care or maternity service.

Do not do these things

  • Do not assume the bleeding is a period or that the pain is harmless.
  • Do not assume that bleeding means the pregnancy has ended.
  • Do not wait for a routine antenatal appointment if pain or bleeding is continuing.
  • Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, dizzy or very unwell.
  • Do not stay alone during severe or worsening symptoms when someone can safely remain with you.
  • Do not delay seeking help because you do not know how many weeks pregnant you are.
  • Do not delay urgent care while trying to measure the bleeding precisely or identify its cause yourself.

What to do now

  1. Check for emergency symptoms. Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have severe or sudden abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, significant dizziness, fainting, unusual paleness or feel very unwell.

  2. If you do not have emergency symptoms, seek medical advice today. Call your maternity unit or midwife if you have their contact details. You can also contact your GP or a local early pregnancy unit that accepts direct contact. In England, Scotland or Wales, you can use 111; in Northern Ireland, use your GP, GP out-of-hours or the relevant local urgent-care or maternity service.

  3. Say clearly that you are pregnant or have had a positive pregnancy test and now have pain, bleeding or both. Mention whether the pain is one-sided, severe, persistent or worsening and whether you feel dizzy or faint.

  4. Note approximately when the symptoms started and whether the bleeding is light, increasing or heavy. Mention any clots, fluid or tissue, but do not delay getting help to inspect or measure them.

  5. Have the date of your last menstrual period available if you know it. Tell the clinician about any previous ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, fertility treatment, pregnancy scan or relevant medical condition.

  6. Ask someone you trust to stay with you or help you travel if the symptoms are painful, frightening or changing. Use an ambulance rather than travelling independently if you may faint or feel seriously unwell.

  7. Follow the service’s instructions about where and when to attend. You may be offered an assessment, blood tests or an ultrasound scan, depending on your symptoms and stage of pregnancy.

What can wait

You do not need to decide what the symptoms mean, make decisions about the pregnancy, tell work or family, or research every possible cause before seeking care. Future appointments, practical arrangements and longer-term decisions can wait until you have been assessed.

Important reassurance

Pain or bleeding in pregnancy does not always mean that there is a serious problem or that the pregnancy has ended. These symptoms can have several causes, and assessment is needed because symptoms alone cannot reliably show what is happening.

Scope note

This guide covers only the first actions to take when pain or bleeding develops during pregnancy or after a positive pregnancy test. Diagnosis, testing, treatment and later pregnancy decisions need to be discussed with the healthcare professionals assessing you.

Important note

This is general health information and not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. For urgent non-emergency advice, use 111 in England, Scotland or Wales; in Northern Ireland, use your GP, GP out-of-hours or the relevant local urgent-care or maternity service.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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