Can fever be a sign of pregnancy?

Feeling slightly warm or fever is a common condition experienced by many people. Fever can also be a sign of pregnancy. Check out the following explanation.

Fever can be an early sign of pregnancy

Feeling slightly warm or fever is one of the common signs that also often appear in early pregnancy. It is the body changes during pregnancy that cause fever-like symptoms. Apart from fever, several other symptoms that usually accompany it later appear.

During pregnancy, a woman may be more susceptible to infections, such as colds and flu. Pregnancy that occurs can weaken the immune system. This is to ensure that the body does not fight fetal development.

The changes that occur in early pregnancy are the respiratory system. These changes make a person more susceptible to colds and flu, as well as fevers.

If you suspect that your fever is a sign of pregnancy, it's a good idea to visit your doctor for the best solution.

Why does this happen?

When a woman is pregnant, her body blood volume increases. Usually, the increase in blood volume occurs when a person enters 6 weeks of gestation.

This increase in blood volume makes the body feel warmer. That is why, fever is often one of the most common early signs of pregnancy.

During the 16th week of pregnancy, blood plasma flow to the kidneys also increases by 75 percent and continues to increase until the pregnancy reaches its full period.

This extra blood flow causes the metabolism to also increase, thus creating more body heat.

That's why a pregnant woman tends to have a fever or feel warm during pregnancy. Increasing the amount of blood in pregnant women functions so that the formation of the placenta develops perfectly. This is very important in ensuring the blood supply to the fetus and nourishing it.

Apart from increasing blood volume, the body goes through many other changes during pregnancy. Hormone levels fluctuate, the uterus expands to make room for the growing baby, and an entirely new organ, the placenta, grows to support the fetus.

These symptoms are some of the first signs that usually appear during pregnancy, including fever. Even so, not all pregnant women experience this symptom. Some of them have no symptoms at all.

Apart from fever, these are some other signs of pregnancy

The body goes through many changes during pregnancy. As soon as a person is pregnant, the body begins to prepare for the coming months.

The symptoms that appear also vary, although not all pregnant women feel it. Even some of them have no symptoms at all.

Apart from fever, some common signs of pregnancy include:

Late menstruation. One of the first and most common signs of pregnancy is a late menstruation. However, it does not mean that if someone is menstruating late, then she must be pregnant.
Spots appear. Light bleeding can occur when an egg attaches to the uterus. This fluid is usually pale pink or brown in color.
Headache and dizziness. Apart from fever, headaches and dizziness are also common signs of pregnancy. Increased blood flow and hormonal changes can cause headaches, dizziness, or even fainting.
Breast pain. Tender, swollen breasts can occur due to hormonal changes. The nipples may look swollen and the breasts may feel itchy, heavy, and full.
Nausea and vomiting. Nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy are known as morning sickness although the symptoms can strike at any time.
Fatigue. Feeling tired is the most common symptom of pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. This occurs due to hormonal changes.
Urinating frequently. In early pregnancy, frequent urination occurs due to the release of the hCG hormone. This hormone increases blood flow to the pelvic area.
Cravings. A pregnant woman may begin to have certain food cravings, have an aversion to others, or become more sensitive to certain smells.
Mood swings. Hormonal changes can cause mood swings, and a person may feel very happy at one time, sad moments later.
Nosebleeds and bleeding gums. Increased blood flow during pregnancy can cause these symptoms.
Nasal congestion. Blood vessels in the nasal passages can expand early in pregnancy, causing a blocked nose. This condition can also coincide with a cold or flu.

The sure way to know if you are pregnant

You may have a late period, feel fever, nausea, vomit, and some other signs of pregnancy. However, rather than guessing it, it's good to confirm your condition, in the following ways.

Pregnancy test

One way that is considered quite accurate in determining your pregnancy is by doing a test. Most pregnancy tests claim to be up to 99 percent accurate, although it still depends on many factors, including whether you followed the instructions or when you took the test.

When pregnancy begins, the level of the hormone hCG begins to increase. Doing the test too early can result in inaccurate results, because the hCG hormone has not been detected.

To improve the accuracy of the pregnancy test, wait until your period is late.

Go to the doctor

Going to the doctor can make sure that any signs of pregnancy you feel, such as fever, nausea, vomiting, are true signs that pregnancy has occurred. The doctor will check using an ultrasound to confirm your condition.

Even though fever is one of the most common signs experienced by pregnant women, it does not mean that a fever when you are pregnant is normal and should not be reported.

Report any conditions you feel to the doctor, especially if you have a fever of 38 degrees Celsius or more.

It could be, the fever that occurs is a symptom of another disease. Fever during pregnancy can harm the fetus. That is why it is so important to consult a doctor regarding proper treatment.