Headache, spots, and upper-right pain: preeclampsia warning signs

Preeclampsia is pregnancy-related high blood pressure with signs that other organs are under strain. ACOG and NHS pathways treat a cluster of symptoms as high priority: a persistent headache, visual disturbance (spots, flashing, blur), pain under the right ribs, sudden swelling of face or hands, and reduced baby movement.

Any one of those can have a benign cause. Together they are not something to sleep on. Midwife Pocket’s triage chat will ask follow-up questions — blood pressure if you have a cuff, swelling, and right-upper-quadrant pain — and lock the screen if the cluster matches a red-flag pathway.

Do not use the chatbot as a second opinion against your body. If the headache is new, the vision has changed, or you feel unwell, contact maternity triage or go to labour and delivery. Take a list of your medicines and any home blood-pressure readings with you.

After 20 weeks, keep a simple log of swelling and blood pressure in the daily check-in. A rising pattern is useful for your midwife even when you feel fine.

Informational only. Midwife Pocket is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Bleeding, leaking fluid, reduced movement, or feeling unwell — contact maternity triage.