From planning to birth — expert-backed guidance for every stage of pregnancy, tailored for South African mothers.
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Trusted Professionals
When to seek urgent medical attention during pregnancy.
🚨 If you experience any of the following, contact your doctor, midwife or go to your nearest emergency unit immediately.
Severe abdominal pain
Persistent or severe pain could indicate ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption or preterm labour — seek immediate care.
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Any bleeding heavier than spotting — especially with clots or cramping — needs urgent assessment.
Reduced fetal movement
A significant decrease in baby's movements after 28 weeks needs immediate evaluation — contact your doctor or midwife.
Severe headache with vision changes
Could signal pre-eclampsia — especially with swelling, upper abdominal pain or seeing spots.
Fluid leaking before 37 weeks
May indicate premature rupture of membranes — go to hospital immediately.
Fever over 38°C
High fever during pregnancy needs medical evaluation — could indicate infection affecting your baby.
Painful or burning urination
Could be a UTI which during pregnancy can lead to kidney infections — get tested promptly.
Persistent vomiting
If you can't keep food or fluids down for 24+ hours, you risk dehydration — hyperemesis gravidarum needs treatment.
Connect with HPCSA-registered obstetricians, midwives and maternal health specialists across South Africa.
Obstetricians
Pregnancy care, delivery & high-risk management
Midwives
Antenatal care, birth support & postpartum visits
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Specialists for high-risk & complex pregnancies
Gynaecologists
Reproductive health & early pregnancy care
Dietitians
Pregnancy nutrition & gestational diabetes management
Physiotherapists
Pelvic floor, back pain & postpartum recovery
Lactation Consultants
Breastfeeding support & guidance
Mental Health Therapists
Antenatal & postnatal depression support
Pregnancy is one of the most profound experiences in a woman’s life — and one where access to accurate, evidence-based information can make an enormous difference to both mother and baby. HealthLab’s Pregnancy Hub provides comprehensive, locally relevant guidance for South African women at every stage, from conception to birth.
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, each with distinct developmental milestones and maternal changes. The first trimester (weeks 1–12) is a critical period of organ formation, often marked by fatigue, morning sickness and emotional adjustment. The second trimester (weeks 13–26) is typically more comfortable — baby’s movements become felt, and the anomaly scan at 18–22 weeks is a key milestone. The third trimester (weeks 27–40) focuses on growth, birth preparation and monitoring for complications like pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.
Antenatal care in South Africa is available through both the public healthcare system (clinics and public hospitals) and the private sector. Key screenings include first trimester blood tests and dating scan, the 18–22 week anomaly scan, glucose challenge testing for gestational diabetes around 24–28 weeks, and growth scans in the third trimester. Women at higher risk may require additional monitoring through maternal-fetal medicine specialists.
Pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, multiple pregnancies, advanced maternal age, and pre-existing conditions such as hypertension, thyroid disease or autoimmune disorders all require additional specialist oversight. HealthLab’s directory connects South African women with HPCSA-registered obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine specialists equipped to manage complex pregnancies.
