Finding a small amount of spotting or feeling a change in your baby’s movements can be incredibly stressful.
When you are worried during pregnancy, knowing exactly who to call—and who not to call—can save vital time and ensure both you and your baby receive the right level of care.
In this guide, we explain the “Maternity Triage” system, why your GP isn’t the best contact for emergencies, and the red-flag symptoms that require immediate medical attention.
If you have an urgent concern, your first instinct might be to call your local GP surgery or your designated community midwife. However, for urgent pregnancy issues, this can lead to dangerous delays.
Availability: Community midwives are often out on home visits or conducting clinics and may not check their messages for hours.
Specialist Equipment: GP surgeries do not have the specialized monitoring equipment (such as CTG machines to check a baby’s heart rate) required to assess a pregnancy in the second or third trimester.
The Golden Rule: For any concern regarding the health of your baby, you need a 24/7 specialist service.
Every hospital with a maternity unit has a specialized Maternity Triage or Maternity Assessment Unit (MAU). This is essentially an A&E specifically for pregnant women and people.
When is it open? These units are staffed by specialist midwives and doctors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How do I find the number? You can usually find this number on the front of your maternity notes (your “yellow book” or digital app). If you cannot find it, call the hospital’s main switchboard and ask to be put through to “Maternity Triage.”
What happens when I call? A midwife will perform a “telephone triage.” They will ask about your symptoms, your stage of pregnancy, and your medical history. Based on this, they may give you advice over the phone or ask you to come in for an immediate assessment.
You should never feel like you are “bothering” the midwives. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your triage line immediately:
Changes in Baby’s Movements
From around 18–24 weeks, you will begin to feel your baby move. By 32 weeks, movements should follow a regular pattern. If you feel the baby is moving less than usual, or if the pattern has changed significantly, do not wait until the next day. Call Triage immediately.
Learn more: NHS guide on baby movements.
Vaginal Bleeding
Any bleeding in pregnancy should be investigated. While light “spotting” can be common in the first trimester, heavy bleeding or bleeding accompanied by pain requires an urgent scan or examination.
Severe Abdominal Pain
Constant, sharp, or cramping pain that does not go away with rest or paracetamol needs to be assessed to rule out issues like placental abruption or early labor.
Leaking Fluid (Waters Breaking)
If you feel a “gush” or a constant trickle of clear or straw-colored fluid, your waters may have broken early (PPROM). This requires an assessment to check for infection risks.
Sudden Swelling or Severe Headache
Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet, combined with a “splitting” headache or blurred vision, can be a sign of Pre-eclampsia. This is a serious condition that affects blood pressure and requires urgent hospital monitoring.
Generally, no. Unless you have collapsed, are having a seizure, or are experiencing severe, life-threatening bleeding, the main A&E will likely redirect you to the Maternity Unit anyway.
Going directly to Maternity Triage ensures you are seen by staff who specialize in pregnancy, rather than general doctors who may have limited experience with obstetric emergencies.
To help the midwives assess you quickly, try to have the following information ready when you call:
Your “Green Notes” or Hospital Number: This helps them pull up your records instantly.
Your Current Gestation: Exactly how many weeks and days pregnant you are.
Timeline of Symptoms: When did the pain/bleeding/reduced movement start?
Fetal Movement: When did you last feel the baby move clearly?
| Symptom | Who to Call |
| Reduced Movements | Maternity Triage (Immediately) |
| Vaginal Bleeding | Maternity Triage (Immediately) |
| Severe Headache / Vision Blur | Maternity Triage (Immediately) |
| General Pregnancy Itchiness | Community Midwife or GP |
| Mild Backache / Constipation | Pharmacist or GP |
| Collapse / Difficulty Breathing | 999 (Emergency Services) |
NHS: Urgent issues in pregnancy: A full list of when to seek help.
Kicks Count: An excellent charity dedicated to empowering mums with knowledge about baby movements.
Tommy’s: Expert advice on pregnancy health and complications.
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