Low-Grade Fever During Pregnancy

Low-Grade Fever During Pregnancy, Can It affect Baby?

ByVictoria C.

Whats considered a Fever in Pregnant Women?

A fever is when your body temperature rises above its normal range — usually 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (F). During pregnancy, a fever is defined as a temperature that’s higher than 100.4 F (38 C) and may be caused by a variety of causes, such as:

Your immune system reacts to infection by producing antibodies and increasing the number of white blood cells. The increase in these molecules raises your body’s temperature naturally to help fight off bacteria or viruses. While this is good for you, it can lead to problems with your baby if you have an extremely high fever.

How Fever Can Affect Your Pregnancy

Pregnancy can also cause a fever, due to the that pregnancy weakens the immune system. As your body changes, you may experience a variety of physical symptoms. This is due to the extra hormones and blood in your system, which can make it harder for your body to stay cool.

Occasionally a fever during pregnancy can signal something more serious. For example, if you have an infection like the flu or a urinary tract infection (UTI), you may get a fever along with other symptoms like aches and chills. In rare cases, high fevers can be caused by conditions that are serious for both you and your baby, such as an infection called listeriosis or toxoplasmosis (if you’ve been exposed to cat feces). These conditions require prompt medical attention.

Not all fevers are bad.

Not all fevers are bad. In fact, most fevers are a sign that your body is fighting off an infection. Even something as common as a cold or the flu can cause a fever.

Occasionally, though, it’s important to see a doctor, just to be safe. Your primary care physician will tell you if you should come in immediately or if you can wait until their next opening. They may also give you specific instructions on what to do to help yourself at home while waiting for an appointment.

What can cause a fever during pregnancy?

A fever can strike at any time throughout your pregnancy, just like it can for anyone who isn’t expecting. In fact, it should be reassuring to know that a fever occurs in around one-third of pregnant women at some point throughout their pregnancy.

So, if it’s not the pregnancy itself that’s causing the fever, what are some of the other possibilities? Fever can be caused by a variety of things during pregnancy, including:

  • Influenza (the flu)
  • Common cold
  • Stomach flu
  • Tonsillitis
  • Pneumonia
  • Kidney infection
  • Food poisoning

Some of the conditions listed above can be dangerous during pregnancy. Stomach flu or food poisoning might be especially dangerous. Because the most common symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, which cause electrolyte loss and dehydration, having either in a severe form during pregnancy might put you and your baby at risk.

Furthermore, severe kidney infections can be life-threatening on their own, which is why it’s critical to contact your doctor if you have a fever while pregnant.

What can I do to prevent fever during pregnancy?

Your immune system is weakened throughout pregnancy to safeguard your fetus. As a result, it’s natural to be more susceptible to diseases than individuals who aren’t expecting. However, this does not negate the importance of taking preventative measures.

A competent defense is the best offense. By washing your hands frequently and thoroughly, you can avoid catching a viral infection such as the common cold or the flu. If someone at home or at work is unwell, try to stay away from them.

If you are sick, quarantine a sick family member to a specific section of the house and work from home or a remote place if possible. Also, get your annual flu shot. This is critical throughout pregnancy.

When pregnant, avoid eating raw fish, raw meat, and unpasteurized cheese to prevent being exposed to specific food-borne bacteria that might cause a high fever.

What can I take for a fever while pregnant?

If your temperature is 101 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you may want to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Both of these medications are considered safe to take during pregnancy.

It’s important to take any medication as directed. If you decide to take Tylenol, it’s best to do so every four hours while you have a fever. If you use Advil, it’s best to do so every eight hours while you have a fever.

When should I worry about a fever during pregnancy?

You don’t need to worry if you have a low-grade fever during pregnancy. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is not considered a low-grade fever. If you have this kind of fever during pregnancy, you should contact your doctor right away.

A temperature of 99°F (37.2°C) is generally considered a low-grade fever that lasts for more than 24 hours can be cause for concern and may require medical attention.

If you have a low-grade fever below 99°F (37.2°C), and no other symptoms, it’s not necessary to see your doctor.

How will a fever affect my baby?

If you have a fever while pregnant, it’s normal to worry about how that might affect your baby. The good news is that there isn’t much evidence that a low-grade fever will harm your baby, though research on this is limited. However, if your temperature gets really high (above 102°F or 38.9°C), you’ll want to take steps to lower it right away. A high fever during pregnancy may cause miscarriage, premature birth, or low birth weight and could also increase the risk of certain conditions, like neural tube defects (like spina bifida).

Although most cases of fever are nothing to worry about, it’s always best to be cautious.

It’s natural to feel worried about your baby if you experience a fever during pregnancy. Although the vast majority of such cases aren’t a cause for concern, it’s always best to be cautious and seek medical advice when dealing with a fever during pregnancy.

Here are some tips on what you can do:

  • Don’t panic. Even though it may be tempting to go into full-on worry mode if this happens, remember that most cases of fever during pregnancy aren’t harmful in any way. Give yourself time to breathe and process the situation before you start taking action.
  • Don’t take unnecessary risks. There are plenty of safe ways of bringing down a fever, but one key thing to keep in mind is that certain medications have not been studied enough and could pose an unknown risk for pregnant women and their babies. While you should definitely talk to your doctor about how best to treat your symptoms, there are probably some things you’ll want to avoid taking. For example, skipping acetaminophen altogether may not be necessary as long as it’s used judiciously and only under medical supervision!

FAQ

Is fever a sign of pregnancy?

If you think you might be pregnant, fever may not be a helpful predictor. You can have a low-grade fever due to other health conditions rather than pregnancy.

Fever isn’t a sign of pregnancy, but it is often a symptom of infection—and infections can be dangerous for you and your unborn baby. While fevers during pregnancy aren’t uncommon, it’s important to call your doctor when you have one so that the cause can be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.

What Are Some Natural Home remedies for fever during pregnancy

Here are some natural remedies to help alleviate your fever:

1. Keep Yourself Hydrated

Drink a lot of water. The best drinks are non-carbonated and electrolyte-infused. They not only keep you hydrated, but they also cool you down and provide you strength.

2. Herbal Tea

Various teas can aid in the improvement of immunity. Drinking a cup of hot tea can also assist to calm the throat and chest, which will help to relieve congestion if you have it.

3. Rest It Out

A good night’s sleep will make all the difference. Allow your body to recover and function. Inactivity will aid in the recovery of strength and prevent additional aggravation.

4. Salt Water Gargle

This medicine may be helpful if your fever is accompanied by flu symptoms. Salt is a powerful anti-inflammatory that also contains a number of characteristics that help to fight fevers and bacterial or viral illnesses. Gargling with warm water and a teaspoon of salt will help soothe the throat while also reducing congestion and mucous in the area.

5. Steam

Boiling water with menthol salve, covering your head with a towel, and letting the medicated steam to enter your nasal cavity and pores is one of the most effective ways to relieve a fever. This helps you sweat off the fever by opening your pores. This also helps to relieve respiratory and throat congestion.

Is a slight fever normal during pregnancy?

Fevers are never normal during pregnancy, thus an exam is always recommended. If the fever is caused by a viral infection, fluids and Tylenol are generally enough to get you through it. If the cause is bacterial, however, antibiotics are frequently required. Aspirin and ibuprofen should not be taken by pregnant women.

Can early pregnancy cause high temperature?

A greater basal body temperature could indicate that you’re pregnant. Exercise or hot weather may cause your body’s core temperature to rise more quickly. Make sure to consume plenty of fluids and exercise carefully during this period.

What’s considered a fever when pregnant?

The severity of your fever will increase as your body temperature rises, just like it would in any other situation. A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Low-grade fevers aren’t anything to be concerned about, but remain attentive and check any other probable symptoms as they emerge.

What is considered a low grade fever?

A fever is defined by the medical community as a body temperature of more than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. A low-grade fever is defined as a body temperature of 100.4 to 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit.

When do you feel hot in pregnancy?

To distribute all of this blood, blood arteries throughout your body enlarge. The blood vessels near your skin are included in this. Your skin flushes (or glows) as more blood flows to it, making you feel warmer.

Carrying your kid by the third trimester also means carrying your personal built-in heater. Your growing child emits body heat, which you absorb. From the inside out, this can make you feel hotter. Are you expecting twins? Yes, you do have two joyous tiny portable heaters.

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