Having fever in pregnancy can cause a lot of worries to a woman. It is obvious to be concerned about the health of the baby in this critical phase. You might be wondering is fever harmful for my baby. This post will address this concern. Here, you will learn about the causes of fever, consequences of fever on the health of the mother and the baby and what can be done to cure it.

What is the ideal temperature to be considered as “fever” in pregnancy?

The greater the fever, the more severe will be its symptoms. When the temperature reaches to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 101 degrees, then it is considered to be “fever”. If your body’s temperature goes up to 101 degrees Fahrenheit or above, then the first thing you need to do is to call the doctor immediately. You can bring down your fever with acetaminophen and call the doctor straight away. On the other hand, you need not worry about a low fever that falls below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

What is the possibility of suffering from fever in pregnancy?

Getting fever at any stage of pregnancy is common. As per research around 1/3rd of pregnant women suffer from fever at some period of pregnancy, and a majority of them deliver healthy babies.

At what stage of pregnancy does fever becomes critical?

High fever is critical when it comes in the 1st week of pregnancy. It is considered to be riskier at that stage. Fever that is associated in the 1st trimester can cause several birth defects. To evaluate the risk of fever, you need to understand various factors such as the source of fever, severity of fever, frequency of fever and any underlying treatment that contributes to it.

How can a fever impact your pregnancy?

A mild fever that is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit is not likely to cause any harmful impact on a pregnant woman and her growing baby. But a high-grade fever that goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit is a serious condition. It needs immediate consultation with your doctor. If left untreated, this chronic fever is seen to enhance the possibilities of development of autism in babies. Some of the other types of birth defects can be seen in the form of the higher chances of jaw and heart defects at birth. Prevention and quick treatment are the best defense of action to prevent fever at the time of pregnancy. It will help in preventing short-term and long-term problems for the development of the baby.

What are the causes that can lead you to fever?

Fevers are mostly caused due to a variety of reasons. Some of them being respiratory viruses, urinary tract infections and a few other types of infections. Below is mentioned a list of causes that leads you to fever in your pregnancy:

• Influenza
• Tonsillitis
• Pneumonia
• Viral gastroenteritis (a form of stomach virus), and
• Pyelonephritis (a form of kidney infection)

What type of signs accompany a fever condition?

Expecting mothers are required to watch out for below signs to examine themselves and check whether or not they are suffering from fever. These signs include:

• Back pain
• Shortness of breath
• Chills
• Neck stiffness
• Abdominal pain

What can you do to treat fever in pregnancy?

Some of the things that you can do to treat your fever are:

• Take a warm bath
• Drink a lot of water and other type of beverages such as coconut water, buttermilk to cool down and avoid dehydration
• Wear light and comfortable clothes

What can you do to avoid prevent fever in pregnancy?

To avoid catching flu, you need to frequently washing your hands, and avoid being in close proximity with infected people. Get treated by a flu vaccine in supervision of your doctor. It is advised not to self-administer yourself, and always take medicines under their administration.

What is the best course of action to subside a fever?

If you feel that you have got a fever, then you should delay seeking a treatment with your doctor. You should play it safe and take preventive actions quickly. Your doctor can suggest you a few examinations and prescribe an antibiotic medication to cure any kind of viral or bacterial infection.

In addition to it, you also need to stay hydrated and use the best hygiene. Getting early treatment, and completing the dosage course can help you recover soon. Be in constant touch with your doctor till your fever gets cured.

Conclusion

Experiencing fever at the time of pregnancy can be a serious concern for the growing baby. Understanding its causes, and taking the best preventive measures will help you deal with it effectively and ensure the best health of your baby.