From the moment fertilization begins, in the first weeks it is possible that the temperature may increase or decrease during early pregnancy, which is caused by changes occurring in the woman’s body. When the mercury column is within 37-37.5 degrees, this is acceptable and does not indicate pathologies. If other symptoms occur and when high levels persist for a long time, you should be wary - this can cause a miscarriage or be a sign of any infections.
What is temperature during pregnancy
How many degrees should the temperature be during pregnancy? In a healthy woman, the thermometer mark varies within 36.6-37.7 °C. This is how the body reacts to hormonal changes. The indicator increases in the second phase of the cycle during the production of the hormone progesterone, which appears during pregnancy and is responsible for the safety of the fertilized egg. A temperature of about 37 °C in the initial stages of gestation is considered normal. If a low-grade fever is accompanied by a fever, this may be a sign of a cold or a dangerous infection.
Basal temperature during pregnancy
BT, or basal temperature, will tell you a lot about women’s health: it will show fertile days (the most favorable for conception), the presence of ovulation, its absence, and determine pregnancy. With its help, the functioning of the ovaries is assessed and the development of pregnancy is monitored in the initial stages (12-14 weeks). BT is measured:
- orally;
- rectally (in the rectum, immediately after waking up, without getting out of bed).
The period from the first day of the menstrual cycle until the onset of ovulation is considered the first phase of the cycle. BT should be at 36.2 and 36.8 °C. Throughout the entire second phase of the cycle, temperature fluctuations can be in a small range of 37-37.5 ° C. 2-3 days before menstruation, a decrease in basal temperature to 36.2-36.9 ° C is noted. If there is no sharp drop in the reading and it remains at 37.5 degrees, this is a sign of pregnancy. Increased temperature conditions will be observed up to 4 months of gestation.
In the early stages
To attach a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, it is necessary. When the level of an important hormone increases in the body, the basal temperature during early pregnancy increases to 37.3 °C. Measuring indicators can continue until the 16th week every day. The norm of values is considered conditional and should not exactly repeat the generally accepted schedule. A slight increase does not indicate pathology. Basal temperature in early pregnancy may be as follows:
- 3rd week– from 37 to 37.7 °C;
- 4th week– 37.1-37.5 °C;
- from 5 to 11 weeks– high, but if the basal temperature is more than 38 °C, consult a doctor immediately;
- Week 12– not less than 37.0 and not more than 38 °C.
Increased temperature during early pregnancy
Found an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we will fix everything!During pregnancy, it is important for a woman to be extremely careful not to get sick, because this will negatively affect the health and development of the fetus, and any medications during this period are contraindicated for a woman. A high temperature during pregnancy is a dangerous phenomenon and most often indicates the presence of some disease. Regardless of the reason for the rise in temperature, a reading close to or exceeding 38 degrees is a reason to immediately consult a doctor.
Causes of elevated temperature during pregnancy.
Changes in body temperature can be observed in any trimester of pregnancy. There may be several reasons for this - pregnancy itself and various infectious and inflammatory diseases. During the period of hormonal changes in a woman’s body during pregnancy, body temperature may increase slightly (normally up to 37.4 degrees Celsius) due to the influence of a large amount of progesterone produced, which is responsible for preserving the fertilized egg, and suppression of the immune system.
Due to weakened immune defenses, a woman’s body is susceptible to attacks from various viruses and infections, which is why during the period of pregnancy it is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene and, if possible, avoid crowds of people. Very often, the measures taken do not have an effect; a woman develops ARVI, influenza or any other cold (most often during epidemics), which may be accompanied by an increase in temperature. Urogenital and intestinal infections are considered more serious, in which an increase in temperature is one of the first symptoms.
Temperature during pregnancy due to illness.
In addition to high fever in a pregnant woman due to ARVI, other symptoms of the disease are added, in particular severe headache, drowsiness, sore throat, runny nose, aches throughout the body, and cough. ARVIs are insidious in the development of complications in the form of pneumonia, tracheitis, laryngitis, otitis. Viruses can easily penetrate the placental barrier and negatively affect the fetus. Against the background of infection, spontaneous miscarriage occurs, or various malformations occur.
Pyelonephritis or inflammation of the renal pelvis is a fairly common disease among women during pregnancy. The development of the disease is accompanied by an increase in temperature; the disease develops due to fetal pressure on the ureters. Against this background, the outflow of urine is difficult, and infection occurs. In addition to high temperature, there is general weakness, headache, pain in the lower back, which can radiate to the thigh or groin, and painful urination. It is quite difficult to detect the disease during pregnancy against the background of low severity of signs of kidney damage. The disease cannot be left untreated; in the later stages, gestosis (late toxicosis) develops, resulting in oxygen starvation and developmental delay in the fetus. In more serious cases, the disease provokes miscarriage.
Intestinal infection is also a common disease among pregnant women. It manifests itself in the form of nausea and vomiting; the symptoms are, in principle, similar to the symptoms of pregnancy. The addition of other manifestations to the existing symptoms should be alarming - loose stools, pain and cramping in the abdomen, and, of course, an increase in temperature.
A high body temperature always indicates an infection; both of these factors are dangerous.
It is difficult to treat infections in the first trimester of pregnancy in conditions where almost all medications are contraindicated for expectant mothers. Therefore, do not delay, do not self-medicate, it is better to visit a doctor as soon as possible.
The danger of fever during pregnancy.
In the first trimester of embryonic development, temperatures up to 37 degrees Celsius are perceived by experts as the norm; there is no need to worry. It’s another matter if its indicator approaches 38 degrees. In this case, the fetus and its development, as well as the nervous system, begin to suffer. The formation of many organs and systems of the baby occurs precisely in the first few months of gestation; an increase in temperature above 38 degrees during this period leads to various developmental defects and mental retardation of the child. If the temperature above 38 degrees does not subside within 24 hours, the brain, limbs, and facial skeleton suffer (defects in the development of the jaw, palate and upper lip are most common).
High temperature leads to disruption of protein synthesis, impairs blood supply to the placenta, which provokes miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy, and premature birth in later stages.
An increase in body temperature, even a slight one, is dangerous before childbirth, as it can cause the expectant mother to develop various complications from the heart and nervous system. There is a risk of infection for the baby during childbirth.
What to do if your temperature rises during pregnancy.
So, if the temperature has risen to 37-37.6 degrees, there is no need to be afraid, this is a normal phenomenon, unless, of course, there are other signs that bother you. If the temperature is close to 38 degrees (37.7-38), or exceeds this figure, you should consult a doctor. A gynecologist (if necessary, together with specialists) will conduct a full examination in order to identify the cause that caused the increase in temperature. You should lower your temperature yourself only after consulting a doctor!
Remember, in the second half of pregnancy, progesterone no longer affects the woman’s body, so temperature during this period is the main symptom of infection or inflammation. If, in addition to high temperature, there is a gradual or sudden deterioration in general health, accompanied by vomiting and pain in any area, call an ambulance without delay.
How to reduce temperature during pregnancy?
Let me remind you that any antipyretic medications should be used only as prescribed by a doctor. Aspirin and drugs based on it are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy; in the first months there is a high risk of miscarriage when taking it, and in the later months it provokes bleeding and delays the birth process. The drug can also cause fetal malformations and reduce blood clotting, which can lead to bleeding.
If the temperature is quickly approaching 38 degrees, you should take half a tablet or another drug based on it (Panadol, Efferalgan, Paracet, etc.), and call a doctor. I repeat, tablets should be taken in exceptional cases; it is advisable to get by with a single dose of medication. Prolonged and uncontrolled use of Paracetamol during pregnancy leads to anemia and causes bleeding.
Folk remedies for reducing body temperature.
Increased body temperature (up to 37.6 degrees) does not require any treatment; you can simply use folk remedies. To begin with, you should drink more warm (not hot!) liquid. Green tea, linden blossom with raspberries or lemon, cranberry juice, chamomile decoction, milk with honey and butter are suitable for this purpose. If you have a problem with edema, you will have to be extremely careful; excess fluid is not advisable, especially in the second half of pregnancy.
At low temperatures, herbal infusions will help: place two tablespoons of raspberries, four tablespoons of coltsfoot, three tablespoons of plantain in a glass jar (0.5 l) and brew with boiling water, let it brew. Drink a tablespoon four times a day.
Or this recipe: place a teaspoon of crushed white willow bark in a small jar, pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave until completely cooled. Take a tablespoon four times a day.
You can bring down the temperature by simply rubbing it with a vinegar solution, lemon juice, cold water, or cold compresses on the forehead.
If these measures do not help you, moreover, your condition worsens, call a doctor. It also happens that the use of these methods is a waste of precious time in situations where you need to act immediately. Therefore, be attentive to yourself; during pregnancy, any delay can cost the fetus its life.
Prevention of fever during pregnancy.
- If possible, avoid crowded places, especially during epidemics.
- Thoroughly ventilate the apartment several times a day.
- After going outside, rinse your nasal passages and wash your hands with soap.
- Take vitamin complexes and formulations to improve immunity, but with the permission of a doctor.
A decrease in body temperature can also be observed during pregnancy and is a feature of a woman’s body. However, this symptom may be a sign of toxicosis (due to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances) or the presence of endocrine pathologies, which requires hospital treatment. This kind of reaction of the body may also indicate an immunodeficiency state. In any case, it is necessary to inform the doctor managing the pregnancy about this.
Pregnancy is one of those periods in a woman’s life when she pays special attention to her condition. Even if the expectant mother was not too concerned about her health before, then while carrying a child she listens to the slightest changes in the body. Any infections or diseases in one way or another can affect the development of the fetus, and the greatest danger here is high temperature in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Second trimester of pregnancy
The second stage of pregnancy is the most fertile time for a woman. It lasts ten weeks - from 13 to 24. At this time, as a rule, the expectant mother stops suffering from toxicosis, dizziness and headaches. My belly has gotten bigger, but not so much that I feel awkward. During this period, nothing becomes an obstacle to long walks, gymnastics for pregnant women or going to the pool.
The second trimester of pregnancy is especially important for the fetus: at this time, the formation of the baby’s internal organs ends. The brain is already developed, the baby begins to move, can feel pain, and is able to perform sucking, swallowing and periodic breathing movements.
Closer to the 16th week, the formation of the placental barrier is finally completed. From this moment on, he is fully responsible for nutrition and oxygen supply to the child. The placenta also performs protective functions, protecting the baby from infections and most harmful substances.
Of course, the body of the expectant mother also reacts to such rapid changes. This is expressed, first of all, in a slight increase in body temperature.
Temperature in the second trimester of pregnancy
Typically, body temperature during this period is normal and is 36.6 °C. However, it can rise to 37-37.5 °C. In the absence of a cough or runny nose, this is not a pathology. A temperature of 37 in the second trimester may be due to the large amount of progesterone produced by the placenta. It is this that affects the center of the brain responsible for thermoregulation. Progesterone levels increase rapidly throughout pregnancy. Its quantity decreases sharply only before childbirth.
In some cases, when the temperature rises, qualified consultation with a doctor is necessary:
- If a woman feels unwell, discomfort or pain in the lower abdomen, and the temperature is constantly elevated, it is worth consulting a doctor, undergoing an examination and having an ultrasound. Low-grade fever (37-37.5 °C) may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy;
- If the expectant mother experiences body aches, has all the signs of a viral disease and a body temperature of just over 37 °C, do not panic. Doctors believe that this temperature does not have negative consequences for the fetus. The placental barrier is involved in thermoregulation in a certain way and prevents the penetration of infections and viruses. However, do not neglect a visit to the doctor. He will prescribe a course of treatment that will help avoid complications;
- If the temperature exceeds 38 °C, drug treatment is necessary. In addition to banal acute respiratory infections and flu, a very high temperature can mean more serious diseases, including chronic ones. Acute intoxication, herpes, tuberculosis, pyelonephritis and a number of other serious diseases are often accompanied by fever. You should consult a doctor immediately. High temperature in the second trimester can lead to irreparable complications for both the pregnant woman and the child.
How to lower your temperature in the second trimester
To avoid side effects, if the pregnant woman’s condition allows, it is better to use non-drug remedies. Everyone knows that it is not recommended to lower the temperature below 38 °C. In this condition, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often, drink more warm liquids, fruit and berry compotes and decoctions of medicinal herbs. Your goal is to sweat, thereby lowering your temperature. Remember that not all herbal infusions are suitable for pregnant women. Carefully study the instructions for use of a particular product and consult your doctor.
Under no circumstances should you wear woolen socks, lie down under a duvet, and especially keep your feet off your desk. These procedures will only increase the temperature.
Some women, remembering folk recipes, begin to wipe themselves with a solution of alcohol, vodka or vinegar. Indeed, the temperature drops quickly during rubbing. But if such manipulations do not harm an ordinary person, then for a pregnant woman they are categorically unacceptable. Harmful substances that enter the body through the skin can be harmful to the fetus.
If the temperature in the second trimester is above 38 °C, antipyretic drugs should be taken. A relatively harmless and effective remedy is paracetamol. But be careful with medications, because many of them have teratogenic properties and cause disruption of embryonic development. 4.5 out of 5 (33 votes)
High temperature during pregnancy is doubly dangerous, since it can harm not only the mother, but also the unborn baby. With prolonged fever, changes begin in the structure of the placenta, which can provoke premature birth, and in the first trimester of pregnancy, temperature can cause improper formation of fetal organs. In addition, with this condition, protein coagulates in the body, which can lead to heart failure. A temperature that lasts a short time and does not rise above 38 degrees is the least dangerous. However, it cannot be ignored either.
Medications
There are several ways to lower your temperature. This includes taking medications and traditional medicine methods.
Unfortunately, many medications are prohibited for pregnant women because they can negatively affect the fetus. For example, it is strictly not recommended to drink tablets containing aspirin. In fact, pregnant women are only allowed to take drugs containing paracetamol, but even these must be taken with caution and in small quantities (no more than three tablets per day). You should also consult your doctor before starting to use them. If the temperature is not high, the doctor may prescribe homeopathic medicines to avoid unnecessary risks.
ethnoscience
Treatment with tablets can be combined with traditional medicine methods. Patients with fever are advised to drink plenty of fluids. These can be compotes, juices, fruit drinks or herbal teas. However, you can only allow yourself to drink a lot in the first trimester of pregnancy; in later stages, this is fraught with edema. Therefore, to reduce the temperature, it is better to use decoctions and infusions that do not need to be drunk in large quantities. A decoction of berries or leaves of raspberry, plantain and coltsfoot helps well. Also, an infusion of white willow bark is often used for this purpose. To prepare it, you need to pour one teaspoon of bark into a glass of boiling water and let it brew. These decoctions should be taken one teaspoon four times a day.
In addition to drinking plenty of fluids, it is recommended to wipe the body with a damp towel soaked in cold water. An indispensable aid in the fight against fever is wiping with a vinegar solution. In order to get results, such procedures should be carried out at least once every hour and a half.
If the temperature rises to 37.5 degrees, it is imperative to consult a doctor before starting treatment. The doctor will not only prescribe the correct treatment, but will also eliminate the risk of various pathologies, since even a slight increase in temperature can indicate serious problems in the course of pregnancy.
What could be more wonderful than the birth and birth of a new life? Although pregnancy is an absolutely normal process from a physiological point of view, a woman needs to take care of herself more than ever during this period of her life, without, however, crossing boundaries or going to extremes.
It was so conceived by Mother Nature that in order to create optimal conditions for conceiving and bearing a baby, the expectant mother’s immunity is reduced, because otherwise it may be rejected: after all, 50% of the baby’s DNA belongs to her husband. And getting sick now would be extremely undesirable, because taking most medications during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. Many diseases are accompanied by an increase in body temperature - this is normal, this is how the body reacts to the disease and produces antibodies to attack viral cells. How can pregnant women deal with fever during pregnancy?
Increased body temperature during pregnancy
So, in ordinary life, an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body, and, as a rule, can be accompanied by other signs of the disease - sore throat, cough, general weakness, stuffy nose, etc. Since fever is a consequence of the disease, it is necessary to fight all the symptoms together after the diagnosis has been made by a doctor.
Temperature is our defense against external irritants, so we should not rush to fight it. As a rule, it should be knocked down after 38.5, since otherwise the load on the heart increases. But this indicator is individual for everyone, for some people already at 38 it becomes unbearable, for others even at 39 they feel great.
In any case, if the temperature has risen, the first thing you should do is deal with it yourself, without resorting to medications, to give your body a try to get out on its own:
- Control your appetite. In principle, people with a high temperature, as a rule, do not have it, and this is a signal from the body - there is no need to force food into it, it is already weakened, all forces are devoted to fighting the virus! And the process of digesting food will take away from him the strength that he would use for this very struggle, therefore, even if you really want to, it’s still not worth filling your stomach to capacity.
- Heat loss according to pediatrician of the highest category E.O. Komarovsky is possible in two ways - by evaporating sweat and by warming the inhaled air. That’s why drinking plenty of warm water is so necessary. In other words, you need to sweat properly, and if there is no excess fluid in the body, then there is nothing to sweat with, so the temperature will not drop on its own. That’s why we drink even though I don’t want to! It is worth remembering that the closer the temperature of the absorbed liquid is to body temperature, the faster it will be absorbed. Anything will do: tea with honey and lemon, raspberry jam, or ginger, compote, fruit juice, herbs, etc.
- Warming the inhaled air is possible when the temperature in the room fluctuates between 18-22 degrees. If you experience chills and fever during pregnancy, it is better to dress warmly, but do not try to warm the air with heaters. On the contrary, fresh air is the key to health!
If you fulfill the conditions listed above, then the chances that the body will cope with the temperature on its own are very high. And this applies to pregnant women just like small children - first of all. And for everyone else, as a last resort, it is permissible to lower the temperature with the help of medications, fortunately there is a large choice on the market now.
It is extremely undesirable for expectant mothers, like young children, to resort to drug treatment, but they still have their own list of drugs approved for use. But first, let's try to figure out what the causes of elevated temperature may be, depending on the stage of pregnancy.
Temperature during early pregnancy
The first trimester is a time of change and adaptation of the mother's body to a new life, which has significant differences from the previous one. This so-called transitional period is very sensitive; the less interference there is in the mystery of the process, the better. Fertilization of the egg occurs, it turns into a tiny embryo, attaching to the wall of the uterus. All vital organs and systems are formed in him, the placenta - a protective temporary organ - has not yet been formed, therefore most medications are still prohibited. In a word, the expectant mother needs to do everything possible and impossible so as not to catch some kind of ARVI in the first trimester.
The body of a pregnant woman undergoes a number of significant changes, both internally and noticeable to the naked eye. If an average person has an average temperature of 36.6, then it is difficult to say for sure what temperature is normal during pregnancy.
The fact is that the temperature at the beginning of pregnancy increases in many expectant mothers, and the reason for this is the pregnancy itself. With its onset, the mother’s body produces the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the normal development and growth of the embryo. Due to its effect on the thermoregulation center, body temperature rises. In addition, the immune system of the expectant mother weakens, immunosuppression occurs - this is how the fetus protects itself from possible rejection.
Of course, in such cases we are talking about minor increases - up to a temperature of 37.2 during pregnancy, by and large, there is nothing to worry about. Higher rates with accompanying symptoms of ARVI, infectious diseases or other diseases indicate that a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed!
For example, an increase in body temperature can also be a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland or respiratory system. And depending on the diagnosis established by the doctor, comprehensive treatment is necessary, aimed primarily at the cause of the increase in body temperature!
Temperature: second trimester of pregnancy
The golden mean or equator of pregnancy - during this period, catching a particular disease is not as dangerous as at the very beginning or before childbirth. But it’s still undesirable, of course.
A temperature of 37 - 37.2 during pregnancy may still persist if its cause is pregnancy itself, in some cases even until childbirth. This is normal, there is no need to panic.
A higher temperature during pregnancy in the second trimester, in addition to the reasons listed above, can be caused by the development of defects in the fetus, damage to the placenta, or uterine tone. Therefore, we repeat that it is necessary to fight, first of all, not with the temperature, but with the reason that causes its increase.
So, warm drinks and cool air in the bedroom will still be effective, but now, with particularly high body temperatures, it’s not so scary to take legal antipyretics!
Can there be a fever during pregnancy in the third trimester?
For some expectant mothers, it turns out that the temperature of 36.9 - 37.2 during pregnancy can remain until the onset of labor. By and large, in the third trimester the baby is already fully formed, and now he is actively gaining weight, looking more and more like a newborn baby every day. But this does not mean that now a pregnant woman is not afraid of getting sick and taking medications - the closer this happens to the start of labor, the worse it is for both her and the baby.
However, it is possible to reduce fever with some caution using approved medications when the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
Fever during pregnancy: what to do
So, by and large, you already know what to do - provide plenty of fluids and cool air in the room. But it happens that this is not enough, and the temperature persists during pregnancy for quite a long time, and this is already fraught with danger to the health of the mother and her unborn baby. What can you do about temperature during pregnancy in this case?
In the first and second trimesters, Paracetamol is best. It is the safest of all antipyretics and is approved for use even during breastfeeding. Acceptable options are Nurofen, Panadol (it is based on the same Paracetamol) and, with caution, Ibuprofen.
In the third trimester, only Paracetamol and Panadol remain on the list of approved drugs. Nurofen is prohibited because it can provoke premature labor, while Ibuprofen, on the contrary, can prolong and complicate the process of labor.
Now you know how to lower your temperature during pregnancy, but remember - before taking any medicine, consultation with your doctor is required!
Pregnancy: fever, cough
It is rare that an elevated temperature is not accompanied by additional symptoms, and, as a rule, a sore throat and fever are the most common symptoms during pregnancy.
This may be a sign of ARVI or influenza, for example: treatment depends on the specific diagnosis. In any case, drinking plenty of warm water is a double blow; it not only provokes sweating, but also relieves unpleasant pain syndromes. Remember that if the pain is sharp, acute, this may be a symptom of a sore throat, and, as you know, it can only be treated with antibiotics.
In any case, a sore throat, even at a temperature of 37.5 during pregnancy, indicates that you need to urgently go to the doctor and start treatment as early as possible, otherwise you can earn yourself significant complications. Gargling with soda, salt and iodine, for example, helps very well - if you do this regularly and do not stop at the first signs of improvement, you can significantly alleviate your condition.
Often a sore throat is accompanied by a cough, and the baby in the tummy can be extremely uncomfortable from such tremors. And again, warm drink comes to the rescue - this is such a multifunctional and at the same time accessible weapon to everyone! E. O. Komarovsky classifies medications designed to thin sputum as drugs with unproven effectiveness, but most of them should not be taken during pregnancy, so think carefully before buying any of them.
You should also know that if a high temperature during pregnancy lasts a week, then this cannot be called the norm, since a number of complications may arise, with which the pregnancy will be much more difficult.
High temperature during pregnancy: let's summarize
Now you know what an increase in temperature during pregnancy means, when and how to deal with it in a way that is safe for the baby and the expectant mother. This does not mean that you can now self-medicate - only a doctor will tell you the correct diagnosis and treatment after an examination, you may have to undergo some tests - each case is individual, and the body of a pregnant woman is completely unpredictable.
Be that as it may, of course, it is better for the expectant mother not to get sick. To do this, you should avoid large crowds of people, especially during periods of active illness, do not hesitate to wear a mask if someone is coughing nearby, and at the first signs of illness, rather take sick leave and observe bed rest as much as possible. Be healthy and don't get sick!
