Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Midwifery (RM)

Health Education on Danger Signs During Pregnancy

Danger-sign education enables a pregnant woman and family to recognize symptoms requiring urgent assessment. The midwife uses clear language, confirms a realistic plan for transport and support, and reinforces that delay can be harmful.

Purpose

  • Promote early recognition and referral of maternal or fetal complications
  • Reduce delay in seeking skilled care
  • Involve the woman and family in safety planning

Indications

  • Every antenatal contact
  • A woman with risk factors or limited access to emergency care
  • Discharge or transfer from maternity services

Equipment

  • Approved danger-sign leaflet or visual aid
  • Antenatal record
  • Emergency contact and referral information
  • Interpreter or communication aid

Preparation

  • Use current facility referral information and confirm emergency contacts.
  • Review the woman’s risk profile and previous education.

Procedure steps

  • Assess baseline knowledge, gestation, risk factors, distance, transport, support, and previous barriers.
  • Explain urgent maternal signs including bleeding, severe abdominal pain, severe headache, visual symptoms, convulsions, fever, breathlessness, and swelling with illness.
  • Explain fetal or pregnancy signs including absent or reduced movement and fluid loss or suspected membrane rupture.
  • Explain that labour concerns, persistent vomiting, or feeling severely unwell also warrant contact.
  • Give locally appropriate instructions for where to go, whom to call, and how to obtain transport.
  • Ask the woman to repeat key signs and the action using teach-back.
  • Develop or review a plan with the family, respecting confidentiality and the woman’s choices.
  • Provide written or pictorial information and emergency contacts.
  • Escalate current danger signs immediately; do not limit care to education.
  • Document education, understanding, risk, plan, and referrals.

Precautions

  • Do not minimize symptoms or advise waiting when a danger sign is present.
  • Use language and examples the woman understands.
  • Assess transport, finances, safety, and support barriers.
  • Respect confidentiality, particularly for violence or reproductive-health concerns.

Aftercare

  • Recheck understanding at later visits and update the emergency plan.
  • Offer support for transport or social barriers through approved services.

Nursing considerations

  • Use a calm, empowering approach rather than fear-based teaching.
  • Confirm the woman has a practical route to skilled care.

Patient education

  • Seek urgent care for bleeding, severe pain, convulsions, severe headache or visual change, fever, breathlessness, reduced fetal movement, or fluid loss.
  • Do not wait for the next appointment when a danger sign occurs.

Documentation

  • Record signs discussed, teach-back, support plan, contacts, current symptoms, referrals, and escalation.
  • Document refusal or inability to access care and actions taken.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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