Pregnancy and birth in Grand Rapids, MI are usually safe, especially with high‑quality care available through Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), Mercy Health, and local OB/GYN and midwifery practices. However, serious complications can still occur and may be life‑threatening for both mother and baby.

Knowing the warning signs and where to get emergency care in the Grand Rapids area can help you act quickly and safely.

Common Obstetric Emergencies During Pregnancy

Miscarriage (Loss of Pregnancy Before 20 Weeks)

A miscarriage is the loss of a baby before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Once a miscarriage has started, it cannot be stopped.

Treatment focuses on:

  • Preventing heavy bleeding
  • Preventing or treating infection
  • Removing remaining pregnancy tissue if needed (often done at a hospital such as Spectrum Health Butterworth or Trinity Health Grand Rapids)

Key points:

  • Some miscarriages happen because the placenta (afterbirth) does not form properly.
  • Often, the exact cause is unknown.
  • A miscarriage can occur even after several weeks of an apparently healthy pregnancy.

If you live in Grand Rapids or Kent County and suspect a miscarriage, contact your OB/GYN, midwife, or go to the nearest emergency department.

Ectopic Pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, most commonly in a fallopian tube.

The pregnancy cannot continue. Treatment usually involves:

  • Medication or surgery to remove the ectopic pregnancy
  • In many cases, removal of the affected fallopian tube

If the tube ruptures, it can cause:

  • Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain
  • Internal bleeding (a life‑threatening emergency)

Damage or loss of a tube may affect future fertility.

Women in Grand Rapids with symptoms suggestive of ectopic pregnancy should seek urgent care at a hospital with obstetric services, such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Placental Abruption

Placental abruption happens when the placenta separates from the wall of the uterus before birth. This can cause:

  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Abdominal pain
  • Contractions

Treatment may include:

  • Bed rest and close monitoring if the separation is mild
  • Immediate delivery (often by cesarean section) if bleeding is heavy or cannot be controlled

Some mothers and babies may need a blood transfusion. In West Michigan, these emergencies are typically managed in hospital maternity units with 24/7 obstetric and neonatal care.

Placenta Praevia

Placenta praevia occurs when the placenta attaches to the lower part of the uterus and partially or completely covers the cervix (neck of the womb). It can cause painless bleeding at any time during pregnancy.

Management usually includes:

  • Monitoring with ultrasound
  • Activity modification or pelvic rest
  • Planned cesarean birth before the due date, depending on how low the placenta is

In Grand Rapids, placenta praevia is usually managed by OB/GYN teams at hospitals like Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids, with access to high‑risk pregnancy (maternal‑fetal medicine) specialists.

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that usually develops after 20 weeks of pregnancy and involves:

  • High blood pressure
  • Protein in the urine
  • Often swelling of the hands, face, and feet from fluid retention

If untreated, it can progress to eclampsia, which causes seizures (convulsions) and can lead to:

  • Kidney and liver failure
  • Stroke
  • Serious complications or death for the mother, baby, or both

Treatment:

  • Medication to control blood pressure
  • Medication to prevent seizures
  • Close monitoring in the hospital
  • Delivery of the baby and placenta is the only cure

If the baby is:

  • Near term (around 37 weeks or more): Labor may be induced or a cesarean birth planned.
  • Very premature (under about 28 weeks): The mother may be admitted to a Grand Rapids hospital and given steroid injections to help the baby’s lungs mature in case early delivery is needed.

If the life of the mother or baby is at risk, delivery is performed immediately, usually by cesarean section.

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM) and PPROM

PROM occurs when the “bag of waters” (amniotic sac) breaks before labor begins.

When this happens before 37 weeks, it is called preterm pre‑labor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and is more serious.

Risks include:

  • Premature birth
  • Infection for both mother and baby

Treatment depends on how far along the pregnancy is:

  • Before 37 weeks:
    • Hospital admission
    • Intravenous (IV) antibiotics to reduce infection risk
    • Close monitoring of mother and baby
  • Near term:
    • Induction of labor is usually recommended
    • Induction may not be necessary if contractions begin within 24 hours and there is no infection
    • If the mother has tested positive for Group B Strep (GBS), induction is often recommended sooner

Grand Rapids hospitals have neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) prepared to care for premature babies, especially important during winter months when respiratory infections are more common in Michigan.

Placenta Accreta

Placenta accreta occurs when the placenta grows too deeply into the uterine wall and cannot detach normally after birth.

  • Usually diagnosed by ultrasound before labor
  • Birth is usually planned by cesarean section at a hospital with advanced surgical and blood transfusion services
  • In severe cases, the uterus (womb) may need to be removed (hysterectomy) to stop life‑threatening bleeding

Spectrum Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids typically coordinate multidisciplinary teams (OB/GYN, anesthesia, blood bank, ICU) for these high‑risk births.

Obstetric Emergencies During Labor and Birth

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders get stuck in the mother’s pelvis after the head is born.

If this happens, your care team must act quickly to:

  • Change your position (for example, bringing knees to chest)
  • Perform specific internal and external maneuvers to free the shoulder
  • Sometimes perform an episiotomy (a small cut to widen the vaginal opening)

This is an emergency, but Grand Rapids labor and delivery teams are trained to manage shoulder dystocia rapidly and safely.

Prolapsed Umbilical Cord

A prolapsed cord occurs when the umbilical cord slips down through the cervix into the vagina before the baby is born, often after the water breaks and before the baby is well engaged in the pelvis.

The cord can be compressed between the baby’s head and the mother’s pelvic bones, cutting off oxygen to the baby.

Treatment:

  • Immediate emergency delivery, usually by cesarean section
  • Positioning the mother to relieve pressure on the cord while preparing for surgery

This is a 911 emergency in Grand Rapids—go to the nearest hospital with maternity services.

Uterine Rupture

Uterine rupture is a tear in the wall of the uterus, more common in women who have had:

  • A previous cesarean section
  • Surgery on the uterus (for example, fibroid removal)

It can cause:

  • Sudden, severe abdominal pain
  • Abnormal fetal heart rate
  • Heavy internal bleeding

Treatment:

  • Emergency cesarean section
  • Surgery to repair the uterus or, in severe cases, hysterectomy
  • Blood transfusions may be needed

Grand Rapids hospitals are equipped with 24‑hour surgical and anesthesia teams to respond to uterine rupture.

Inversion of the Uterus

Uterine inversion occurs when the uterus turns partially or completely inside out, sometimes visible in the vagina. It usually happens:

  • During removal of the placenta if it has not detached properly
  • Very rarely, it can occur on its own after birth

Treatment:

  • Immediate medical and surgical management in the hospital
  • Medications to relax and then contract the uterus
  • Blood transfusion if there is severe bleeding

Amniotic Fluid Embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism is very rare but extremely serious. It occurs when amniotic fluid enters the mother’s bloodstream, causing a severe allergic‑type reaction that affects multiple organs.

Complications can include:

  • Sudden breathing problems
  • Heart failure
  • Severe bleeding and clotting problems
  • Risk of death for mother and baby

This emergency requires intensive care in a hospital with full critical‑care services, such as Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital.

Why Things May Go Wrong During Pregnancy

Serious problems in pregnancy can be caused by:

  • Placental problems (such as abruption, previa, or accreta)
  • Genetic or chromosomal issues
  • Trauma (for example, car accidents, falls—more common in icy Michigan winters)
  • Underlying health conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease)
  • Complications from previous pregnancies or surgeries

Your past pregnancy history can help your Grand Rapids OB/GYN or midwife anticipate possible complications and plan your care.

Warning Signs of a Pregnancy Emergency

Most pregnancy symptoms are harmless, but some require immediate medical attention.
If you experience any of the following, do not wait for your next prenatal visit.

Any Vaginal Bleeding in Pregnancy

Any bleeding during pregnancy is not normal. Call your doctor or midwife right away.

  • Heavy bleeding with severe stomach pain in the first 3 months:
    Could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy.
  • Heavy bleeding with cramping in the first 3–4 months:
    Could be a sign of miscarriage.
  • Bleeding with abdominal pain in the last 3 months:
    Could be a sign of placental abruption.

Other Emergency Symptoms

Contact your provider or go to the emergency department if you have:

  • Stomach cramps in early pregnancy
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Severe vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
  • Severe or persistent stomach (abdominal) pain
  • Lower back pain that is new or severe
  • Blurry vision or seeing spots
  • Severe or persistent headaches
  • Sudden, significant swelling of hands, face, or feet
  • Fever or chills (could be a sign of infection)
  • A noticeable decrease in your baby’s usual movements
  • Regular, increasingly intense contractions before 37 weeks (possible premature labor)
  • Your waters breaking (gush or trickle of fluid) before labor starts

Many of these may be signs of preeclampsia, infection, or preterm labor, all of which need urgent evaluation at a Grand Rapids hospital.

What to Do in an Emergency in Grand Rapids, MI

If you think you are having an obstetric emergency:

  1. Call 911 immediately if you:

    • Are bleeding heavily
    • Have severe pain
    • Have seizures or convulsions
    • Faint or black out and do not recover in a few minutes
    • Notice your baby is not moving as usual and feel very unwell

  2. If it seems urgent but not immediately life‑threatening, you can:

    • Call your OB/GYN or midwife
    • Call your hospital’s maternity unit or Labor & Delivery
    • Contact your primary care provider

In Grand Rapids, you can seek emergency pregnancy care at:

  • Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital (downtown Grand Rapids)
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
  • Mercy Health facilities with maternity services

The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health can also connect you with prenatal care, high‑risk pregnancy programs, and postpartum support.

Treatment of Emergencies During Pregnancy

Miscarriage

  • No treatment can stop a miscarriage once it begins.
  • Care focuses on:
    • Managing bleeding
    • Preventing or treating infection
    • Sometimes performing a procedure (such as dilation and curettage) to remove remaining tissue

Ectopic Pregnancy

  • Medication (such as methotrexate) may be used if caught early.
  • Surgery is often needed to remove the ectopic pregnancy.
  • If the fallopian tube has ruptured, emergency surgery and possibly blood transfusion are required.

Placental Abruption

  • Mild cases: bed rest and close monitoring
  • Severe or ongoing bleeding: immediate delivery, often by cesarean section
  • Blood transfusions may be needed for mother and baby

Placenta Praevia

  • Monitoring with repeat ultrasounds
  • Avoiding vaginal exams and strenuous activity
  • Planned cesarean section before labor starts, depending on how much of the cervix is covered

Preeclampsia and Eclampsia

  • Hospital admission for monitoring
  • Medications to control blood pressure and prevent seizures
  • Steroid injections if the baby is very premature
  • Delivery of the baby and placenta when it is safest for mother and baby

Premature Rupture of Membranes (PROM/PPROM)

  • Before 37 weeks: IV antibiotics, monitoring, sometimes steroids for the baby’s lungs
  • Near term: induction of labor is usually recommended
  • If labor starts within 24 hours and there is no infection, induction may not be necessary (unless the mother is GBS‑positive)

Treatment of Emergencies During Labor

Shoulder Dystocia

  • Mother may be positioned with knees to chest
  • Episiotomy may be performed
  • Specific maneuvers (internal and external) are used to free the baby’s shoulder
  • Care teams in Grand Rapids labor units are trained in these emergency techniques

Prolapsed Umbilical Cord

  • Immediate preparation for emergency cesarean section
  • Positioning the mother to relieve pressure on the cord
  • Continuous fetal monitoring and rapid delivery

Placenta Accreta

  • Surgical removal of the placenta after birth
  • Often requires cesarean section and sometimes hysterectomy
  • Blood transfusions are common
  • Managed in tertiary care hospitals with experienced surgical teams

Uterine Rupture

  • Emergency cesarean section
  • Surgical repair or hysterectomy
  • Blood transfusions and intensive monitoring

Inversion of the Uterus

  • Immediate repositioning of the uterus
  • Medications to relax and then contract the uterus
  • Treatment for shock and blood loss, including transfusions

Amniotic Fluid Embolism

  • Intensive care support (breathing support, heart monitoring)
  • Blood products and medications to manage clotting problems
  • Multidisciplinary critical‑care team involvement

Home Birth and When to Transfer to a Grand Rapids Hospital

Some families in Grand Rapids choose home birth with a qualified midwife. You may need to transfer to a hospital if:

  • Labor is not progressing
  • Your blood pressure is high
  • There is heavy bleeding
  • The baby shows signs of distress
  • The placenta is retained (does not come out)
  • You need:
    • Epidural pain relief (only available in hospital)
    • Help with pushing or assisted birth (forceps or vacuum)
    • Repair of a serious tear

Your midwife may call an ambulance or arrange for safe transport by car (you should not drive yourself).

You always have the right to go to the nearest hospital for care at any point during pregnancy or labor, including during a planned home birth.

What Happens at the Hospital During an Obstetric Emergency

When you are admitted to a Grand Rapids hospital with serious pregnancy or labor problems, you can expect:

  • A full medical history and physical examination
  • Pelvic exam if needed
  • Monitoring of your heart rate and blood pressure (especially if preeclampsia is suspected)
  • Blood and urine tests to look for:
    • Infection
    • Anemia or blood loss
    • Kidney and liver function
  • Continuous monitoring of your baby’s heartbeat
  • Ultrasound (abdominal scan) to:
    • Check the placenta’s position (for placenta praevia or abruption)
    • Assess baby’s size, movements, and heart rate
    • Measure the amount of amniotic fluid

Hospitals in Grand Rapids are equipped to handle obstetric emergencies and provide the safest environment for both mother and baby, especially in high‑risk situations.

Local Resources for Pregnancy Care in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the Grand Rapids area, consider:

  • OB/GYN and midwifery practices affiliated with:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health)
    • Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department for:
    • Prenatal care referrals
    • WIC (Women, Infants & Children) nutrition support
    • Immunizations and health education
  • Grand Rapids Public Health programs for:
    • Maternal and child health
    • Smoking cessation
    • Support for managing chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension

Michigan’s cold winters and icy conditions increase the risk of falls and car accidents, which can be especially serious during pregnancy. Always wear appropriate footwear, use seatbelts correctly, and seek medical evaluation after any significant fall or crash.

Key Points

  • Serious pregnancy and birth‑related emergencies can occur even in healthy pregnancies.
  • Early recognition and rapid treatment at a Grand Rapids hospital can save lives.
  • Any vaginal bleeding, severe pain, sudden swelling, vision changes, or decreased fetal movement should be evaluated immediately.
  • Preeclampsia, placental problems, ectopic pregnancy, PROM, and labor complications all require professional medical care.
  • In an emergency in Grand Rapids, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital with maternity services.