Even very young girls have heard that women during menopause often experience hot flashes due to hormonal changes in the body. Some of the young girls know about the tides from personal experience, if for some reason, for example, in the complex of planning and preparation for future pregnancy, they were undergoing hormonal therapy. But when you feel feverish during pregnancy, expectant mothers begin to doubt the “normality” of this condition. What if hot flashes during pregnancy are dangerous or should not occur?.. Many women are looking for answers to these questions, although the main one lies on the surface.
Hot flashes during pregnancy: causes
Already from what has been said above, you can guess that hot flashes are caused by hormonal changes in a woman’s body. As during menopause, during pregnancy the functions of the ovaries are switched off, only in in this case this phenomenon is temporary, unlike menopause. However, the signs can be similar, and one of them is hot flashes when you get hot during pregnancy.
In the body of the expectant mother, there is an increased production of sex hormones - estrogen and progesterone. IN different periods During pregnancy, one or the other of them is more active. Such fluctuations, among other things, can cause a feeling of heat, which spreads mainly to the upper part of the body - chest, neck, head, face.
Under the influence of hormones, a huge number of different changes occur in the body of the expectant mother, which together and individually can cause hot flashes during pregnancy. This is an increase in the size of the uterus, increased blood circulation, acceleration of metabolic processes, stimulation of the sweat glands, activation of heat transfer from the body, and others. Speaking of heat transfer...
This is another reason why a pregnant woman may suddenly have a fever. The body temperature of many expectant mothers increases physiologically, that is, during pregnancy it is normal and does not pose any danger. At the same time, the woman does not observe the development of other painful signs, such as vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, runny nose or body aches.
Temperature during pregnancy is considered normal if it does not exceed subfebrile levels (36.9-37.5 o C) and is not combined with signs of any diseases. Please note that due to dehydration, body temperature also rises - this should not be allowed. And since a pregnant woman sweats a lot and goes to the toilet more often, fluid losses should be replaced to a greater extent than before.
Against the background of physiological hyperemia, pregnant women often feel feverish. But if the temperature rises to 38 o C or higher, or if other signs are observed in combination with the temperature, then you need to consult a doctor to find the cause of such disorders. Should be called ambulance, if you feel feverish during pregnancy and your blood pressure rises at the same time. Such situations occur more often in later.
Gives you a fever during early pregnancy
A slight increase in body temperature can be observed from the first days of pregnancy. Often in combination with other symptoms low-grade fever in the early stages, it tells the woman that conception has probably occurred in this cycle.
A newly pregnant woman sometimes feels hot or cold. All this is a consequence of the beginning of hormonal changes in the body. Soon the sweat glands will begin to work more actively, and these two processes - hot flashes and heavy sweating - will accompany each other. However, this does not happen in one hundred percent of cases, but quite often. Approximately every fifth pregnant woman complains of feeling hot and sweating heavily during pregnancy. And according to some data, hot flashes during pregnancy occur in four out of five women.
Increased body temperature, when you feel feverish during pregnancy, most often occurs in the first trimester, in the early stages of bearing a baby. As the period increases, it usually normalizes, returning to its previous levels. Therefore, hot flashes in later stages should not normally be accompanied by high temperature.
Gives you a fever in late pregnancy
However, hot flashes most often occur in the second and especially the third trimester of pregnancy - weeks after the 30th. This condition is described by many expectant mothers: it suddenly becomes very hot, stuffy, there is not enough air, the heartbeat quickens, breathing becomes difficult, the face turns red, sweating increases, there may be pain and dizziness, nausea, and a feeling of anxiety. This can last from a few seconds to several minutes, and only in extremely rare cases does the tide last long.
Gynecologists and therapists reassure: after childbirth this will most likely go away. But it often happens that hot flashes are repeated during the period breastfeeding baby - at this time the activity of hormonal processes is also very high.
Feeling hot during pregnancy at night
Hot flashes can occur not only at any stage of pregnancy, but also at any time of the day. Very often, women wake up in the middle of the night due to a sudden feeling of warmth in the upper part or throughout the body. They open the windows and wash themselves with cold water to alleviate their condition. All this helps a lot, but act carefully so as not to catch a cold: a breath of cold air or a slight whiff of cold wind on a steaming, sweating body will be enough to make you get sick, and this is extremely undesirable for you now.
To feel better if you get hot during pregnancy, doctors advise wearing clothes only from natural fabrics, dressing in “layers”, that is, several thin blouses instead of one warm one, so that if necessary, you can always take off excess or put on what is missing.
The bedroom should be well ventilated before going to bed, or even sleep with the window open, the main thing is that there is no draft. It is convenient to carry a fan with you. In the summer, try to spend less time in the sun, and be sure to wear a hat. And don’t forget to drink enough water: a fever can also occur due to dehydration.
A cold compress on the forehead and neck area or wiping the face with ice cubes (especially for this purpose, you can freeze tonics in a mold) will help reduce the feeling of heat during a hot flash. herbal infusions). It also helps if you simply put your wrists under cool water.
If there are no contraindications to this, do not stop physical activity with the onset of pregnancy. You can sign up for fitness or gymnastics for pregnant women: this will strengthen the muscles, cardiovascular system and will be an excellent preparation for childbirth.
If you feel feverish during pregnancy, be sure to tell your doctor. But in general, doctors reassure: hot flashes during pregnancy are normal and harmless, except for discomfort for the woman. But other than reducing it a little and surviving it, there is no way to “cure” it.
Therefore, under no circumstances take any medications, even those based on natural herbs, without first consulting a doctor. Many of them, among other things, cause tachycardia and increased blood pressure, which can worsen the woman’s well-being and the child’s condition.
Especially for - Ekaterina Vlasenko
The birth of a new life determines the restructuring of the body to a new rhythm. All internal organs receive signals warning that they will have to operate with double the load. Any changes are a consequence of the fact that during the period of bearing the baby, his mother experiences different sensations, and she often gets a fever.
Why are pregnant women hot?
An increase in temperature in pregnant women or a hot flash is not a deviation, but the norm, caused by sharp fluctuations in hormone levels, so there is no need to panic and see a doctor if the mark on the thermometer exceeds the usual value. Why are pregnant women hot? A decrease in the level of a hormone such as estrogen causes great stress, promotes the production of adrenaline, as a result, blood flow increases, blood pressure and body temperature rise.
Hot flashes in pregnant women are accompanied not only by a sharp, sudden feeling of warmth rapidly spreading throughout the body, but also by palpitations and profuse sweating. There is a feeling that the neck area, chest, the face and entire upper body are burning, there is not enough air, the expectant mother begins to sweat profusely. The duration of hot flashes is up to 5 minutes, and their frequency may vary. During hot flashes, body temperature in pregnant women rises to thirty-seven and eight degrees.
A distinction must be made between hot flashes and fever, which can be caused by any viral infection. In what situations is it appropriate to seek advice from a specialist:
- if the temperature is increased significantly (exceeds thirty-seven and eight degrees);
- If heat does not fall or get knocked down for a long time;
- if a pregnant woman feels headache, severe weakness, sore throat, dizziness, and other physiological disorders.
Hot flashes during pregnancy - normal phenomenon, both in the early stages and shortly before birth. They last no more than 5 minutes, after which the state expectant mother completely normalized. Hot flashes during pregnancy in the early stages and before childbirth have different frequencies, this is explained by the fact that hormonal levels change dramatically. In the first days and weeks the body is more sensitive to physiological changes, therefore reacts to them brighter and more actively.
Gives you a fever in early pregnancy
Not only hot flashes can cause a deterioration in the condition and the appearance of various negative sensations. There are other reasons that cause fever during early pregnancy:
- increase in the size of the uterus;
- acceleration of metabolic processes;
- increased blood circulation;
- stimulation of the functioning of the sweat glands;
- increased activity of heat transfer from the body.
No need to worry if early stages During pregnancy, the expectant mother's temperature rises slightly. Along with other symptoms, a constantly elevated (low-grade) temperature is a sign that conception has occurred in this cycle. Expectant mothers feel feverish during pregnancy because hormonal changes begin, the sweat glands work more actively, the breasts begin to grow, the uterus enlarges, and the mammary glands become engorged. An elevated temperature, when it becomes feverish, is most often observed before the 12th week of gestation.
Gives you a fever in late pregnancy
When it starts to feel hot, it becomes stuffy, breathing becomes difficult, there is not enough air, you feel dizzy, nausea occurs at the 30th week of pregnancy, do not panic ahead of time. Hot flashes are a completely normal phenomenon not only in the early stages, but also in the second and third trimester. If you experience a fever in late pregnancy, there is no need to take any special medications; you should limit yourself to drinking still water during the day to avoid dehydration due to increased sweating.
Feeling hot during pregnancy at night
Very often, expectant mothers experience a sharp, sudden feeling of warmth at night. To bring your general condition back to normal, it is recommended to wash your face with cold water and ventilate the room. The main reason why you feel hot during pregnancy at night is fluctuations in hormones, their excessive production. Recommendations to help improve your condition during hot flashes:
- it is necessary to choose clothes made from natural materials;
- instead of one thick sweater, wear several thin ones, so that if you feel hot or excessively warm, you can take off something extra;
- the bedroom should be well ventilated before going to bed;
- in summer it is advisable to spend less time in the sun and wear a hat;
- when the face is burning during early pregnancy or just before childbirth, it is recommended to apply a compress of cold water to the forehead and cervical area.
Often develops a fever due to dehydration. To avoid another attack of poor health, you must always (at any stage of pregnancy) drink up to two liters of still water. If you constantly maintain normal water balance, tides will occur less frequently.
Pregnancy and fever - should I worry about this or is this normal? Experienced mothers know that a slight increase in temperature - up to 37.5 degrees at the time when menstruation should have started (but did not start) - is a sign of completed conception. Along with this, there is a feeling of heat during pregnancy - and there is an explanation for this.
Women who are approaching menopause experience similar feelings. For them, as well as for expectant mothers, this is due to hormonal changes in the body. And this affects everything - both the body’s ability to thermoregulate and metabolism. Attacks or hot flashes may occur during pregnancy. But, fortunately, they stop after childbirth.
When should you start worrying? If, in addition to fever, the heart begins to beat quickly - that is, tachycardia occurs, or if blood pressure increases. By the way, it is better for expectant mothers to control it at home and measure it not only at an appointment with a gynecologist. This is especially true for mothers whose pregnancy has already exceeded 32-33 weeks, that is, when the risk of preeclampsia increases sharply.
If the temperature during pregnancy remains at 37.5 degrees for several days, this is a reason to consult a doctor and get tested. The fact is that such an increase can be explained by an infectious process, which is very dangerous for women in the first trimester, as it can cause malformations in the fetus.
By the way, about temperature. It should be brought down with medication at a minimum value of 38-38.5 degrees. For these purposes, you can use drugs containing paracetamol or ibuprofen.
If a feeling of heat is present during pregnancy, but there is no such increase in temperature, you should try to improve your condition without using any medications. There is no need to wipe yourself with vinegar or alcohol for this - they will not only remain on the skin and can thus penetrate the blood, but you will also inhale their vapors - and this is also very dangerous. Better wipe yourself with a damp cloth plain water. Wipe your body and face, this will help lower the temperature a little and significantly improve your health.
Naturally, regular ventilation of the room in which the expectant mother is located is mandatory. It is best to even sleep with the window open. In addition, a fan and split system will help to cool down a little. In addition to the air temperature, do not forget to monitor its humidity and normalize it if necessary.
Sometimes you get a fever during pregnancy due to dehydration. Women forget that any adult needs to drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day. And even more for pregnant women, especially in the summer. Drink more, eat less salty foods and you will feel much better. Well, the feelings of heat and “hot flashes” will soon disappear, you just need to be patient a little.
You can often hear from pregnant women that they can walk down the street in a light jacket and sleep without a blanket even in the most severe frost. This is explained by the fact that during pregnancy, many women experience a feeling of heat, which is caused by changes in hormonal levels.
A pregnant woman is constantly subject to hormonal changes, including a drop in estrogen. This phenomenon during pregnancy can cause heat in the chest, neck and head. With such hot flashes, a woman wants to take off excess clothing or plunge into cold water.
But there are often cases when during pregnancy fever appears in the legs or abdomen. This may be due to excess weight, which often occurs in pregnant women. In this case, you need to slightly “cut back on your diet” in order to relieve the body and ease the load on all organs.
In general, more than nineteen percent of women during pregnancy experience frequent hot flashes, which usually last from a few seconds to several minutes.
But there are times when pregnant women feel fever all the time. Such hot flashes, as a rule, begin in the second or, and sometimes become more frequent after childbirth. Statistics show that after childbirth, about ninety percent of women suffer from hot flashes. The explanation for this condition is that after the birth of the baby, the level of hormones sharply decreases and remains at this level throughout the entire time.
Is it normal to feel feverish during pregnancy?
Periodic hot flashes during pregnancy are a completely normal natural process. The main thing is that when such sensations appear, there is no elevated temperature bodies. An increase at the beginning of pregnancy that is slightly more than 37 degrees does not count. But it is worth remembering that tides can affect the temperature. If during the initial stages of pregnancy a woman has a slightly elevated temperature, then hot flashes can restore it to the levels that were before fertilization.
According to statistics, about 20% of pregnant women experience heat and hot flashes while carrying a baby, most often in the second half of pregnancy. This physiological jump in body temperature is normal and in the absence of any other symptoms - chills, weakness, dizziness, aches in all limbs should not be alarming. But here it is important not to confuse a slight fever with an increased body temperature.
Causes of fever or elevated temperature during pregnancy
Immediately after conception, a massive restructuring begins in a woman’s body. All organs and systems undergo changes, in particular, hormonal levels change, estrogen levels drop and progesterone concentration increases. All this affects the condition of the expectant mother: she gets hot during pregnancy, hot flashes occur, the duration of which can vary from a few seconds to several minutes. Body temperature rises slightly, to a maximum of 37.4 ⁰C and this should not be a concern. The heat in the décolleté, neck and head area quickly disappears if you ensure that cool air enters the room where the woman is.
During this period, many expectant mothers unconsciously try to provide themselves with a greater level of comfort by opening the windows at night in cool weather and dressing much lighter than before. Let us repeat: this is normal and does not pose any threat to the fetus. The same hormonal changes cause hot legs during pregnancy. He is provoked, familiar to many ladies in position. This disease is provoked by an enlarged uterus, which puts pressure on the pelvic veins, disrupting their blood flow and increasing the load on the vessels of the lower extremities. As a result, the legs hurt, swell, and become ugly spider veins and get tired very quickly.
In this case, pregnant women are advised to minimize the load on their legs, rest after each walk with a pillow under them, and do light exercises that will help improve blood circulation. A woman should tell her gynecologist about such problems and consult with him on what to do in this case.
Infection is most dangerous in the first three months of gestation, when all systems and organs are being formed. There is a risk of giving birth to a baby with developmental defects and mental retardation. If a temperature above 38 ⁰C persists for several days, the limbs, brain and facial skeleton take the greatest blow. Women with similar problems in the first trimester of pregnancy are more likely than others to give birth to babies with malformations of the palate, jaw and upper lip. It is often possible to observe a miscarriage early caused by illness.
What to do in this case? Be treated, but only with those drugs that are approved for use in this situation. Only a doctor can prescribe them after making a final diagnosis. Most of these medicines are based on the action of medicinal herbs or components that are not capable of affecting the fetus. negative influence. You can only lower your temperature with Paracetamol, but you cannot take it uncontrollably. In particular, it is not recommended to bring down the heat below 38 ⁰C. Drinking plenty of fluids is recommended, for example, herbal tea with raspberries, chamomile decoction, milk with honey, wiping with vinegar, applying a damp bandage to the forehead.
