Fever during pregnancy: signs, causes and how to deal with it

Fever is a common condition that often occurs. However, it turns out differently when you are pregnant. A fever during pregnancy can indicate a serious problem that needs attention. Is it dangerous? This is a variety of causes and how to overcome them!

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Is fever during pregnancy dangerous?

Fever is a condition where the body temperature is above normal (normal temperature 36.5-37.5 ° C).

Please note that fever is a symptom of a disease. This means that this condition is caused by a factor and the body is defending.

This usually occurs due to inflammation or attack by viruses, bacteria, or others.

Fever during pregnancy is one of the danger signs and complaints in pregnancy.

Pregnant women can be said to have a fever, if their body heat reaches more than 38 ° C. This high fever can indicate an infection in pregnancy.

Because, being one of the danger signs of pregnancy, fever in pregnant women must be treated immediately.

Quoted from the CDC, women who experience fever before or early in pregnancy tend to have the possibility of a baby born with the condition spina bifida.

Apart from having a baby with birth defects, the worst possible result of a fever during pregnancy is a miscarriage.

However, calm down first, because many pregnant women have a fever but the baby is in good health.

In certain conditions, fever during pregnancy may not be a serious problem, but should not be underestimated.

Can a fever during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

In the study of Fever in Pregnancy and The Risk of Congeital Malformations, it was said that fever during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, can cause developmental problems for the baby.

The main cause of miscarriage is that the fetus is not developing normally.

It's different when pregnant women experience hyperthermia, which is when the body experiences a very high temperature increase.

So, this can increase the risk of the baby experiencing birth defects to miscarriage.

However, this still needs further research because there are other risk factors that cause fetal death.

What causes fever during pregnancy?

Here are some things that cause fever during pregnancy, including:

1. Viral and bacterial infections

Viral and bacterial infections are the most common causes of fever.

Keep in mind that a viral infection is more dangerous than a bacterial infection.

This is because it can increase the risk of birth defects in infants and fetuses who die in the womb.

However, that does not mean that bacterial infections can be ignored. Both remain equally dangerous for pregnancy.

In cases of infection by the TORCH virus (toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes), fever can cause abnormalities in the fetus.

For example, disorders of the brain, heart, vision, hearing, and structural disorders of the body.

Meanwhile, urinary tract infections and venereal diseases caused by bacteria can spread to the uterus directly or through blood circulation.

Usually, urinary tract infections in pregnant women are caused by the bacteria E.coli, P.mirabilis, streptococcus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

While venereal disease that can cause fever is caused by bacteria, namely Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and G.ardnerella vaginalis.

If not treated properly, this cause of fever during pregnancy can also lead to miscarriage or premature birth.

2. Changes in body temperature

Early in pregnancy, the body undergoes many changes, so it needs adaptation.

Some pregnant women, may experience a decreased immune system.

Not only that, respiratory problems can also make pregnant women more susceptible to flu and changes in body temperature that lead to fever.

The body temperature of pregnant women which changes too often or increases in early pregnancy, will risk causing the fetus to be born with defects.

For example, babies have poor brain development or slow developing spines (neural tube defect).

3. Flu

Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy can also make pregnant women more susceptible to influenza or the flu.

This condition is also the cause of fever during pregnancy because flu symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer.

How to deal with fever during pregnancy?

If you have a low-grade fever, usually a safe first aid is to take paracetamol.

Also make sure you take it at the dosage recommended by your doctor for a short period of time.

Some women may also be advised to take low-dose aspirin if they have previously had a miscarriage or are at risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Home remedies for treating fever during pregnancy

Apart from taking medications recommended by your doctor, there are several home remedies you can do to reduce fever.

Here are things that can't be hurt to try, such as:

Break

When you are pregnant, you are not aware that you are still doing your usual activities so that your body gets tired quickly and has a fever.

Adequate rest can help improve the immune system to shorten the period of illness.

Maintain body fluids

Maintaining body fluid intake can help the body be properly hydrated.

Not only that, adequate body fluids can also clear toxins and infections that cause fever.

Take vitamins

Vitamins and supplements that have been recommended by doctors can help with nutritional needs.

In addition, vitamins can also help boost the immune system to avoid viruses and bacteria.

Likewise, when you regularly drink 400 mg of folic acid every day, it can prevent the risk of birth defects in the baby's brain and spine.

When to see a doctor

Quoted from Better Health, symptoms of fever during pregnancy are one of the recommended conditions for you to see a doctor immediately.

Likewise, when you have taken medicine but the fever does not decrease.

Some other fever conditions during pregnancy that make you need to see a doctor, namely:

• You have a medical history such as diabetes or other chronic conditions.
• There are other symptoms such as infection of the kidneys.
• Experiencing dehydration.
• Mild fever but for 4 or more days has not subsided.
• The fever recurs for 3 consecutive weeks.
• Fever accompanied by the appearance of vaginal discharge and unpleasant odor.

Don't delay seeing a doctor if you experience one or two symptoms of fever during pregnancy to avoid complications.