In the womb, can the fetus be hot or cold?

Pregnancy is one of the moments that many women are looking forward to. It is important to maintain the best possible pregnancy so that the mother and fetus remain in good health until delivery arrives. Because it is so protective, pregnant women may really avoid extreme weather such as heat, whether it's too long to be active in the sun or take a hot shower, so that the fetus does not overheat. So, is it true that overheating frequently during pregnancy can cause the fetus to overheat? Can the fetus in the womb feel hot or cold? Let's look at the answer below.

Could it be that the fetus is overheating in the womb?

Heat, especially those that increase your body temperature a lot and for a long time, can indeed harm the fetus in the womb. Experts reveal that the body temperature of pregnant women is too high a risk of causing neural tube defects (spina bifida) in babies to miscarriage. However, the question is, is it possible for a mother who is overheated during pregnancy to cause the fetus to overheat too?

It should be noted that the core temperature of the human body will actually remain normal even though the weather is hot or cold outside. Meanwhile, the temperature of the fetus will usually follow the mother's body temperature. So, if your body temperature remains normal, the fetal temperature will also remain normal and warm.

Unfortunately, until now it is not clear whether the fetus can feel hot and cold or not. However, this is thought to have something to do with maternal health conditions.

Babies in the womb are prone to hypothermia, which is a drop in body temperature that is too fast and causes chills. That is why babies are protected by amniotic fluid to keep them warm and avoid infection.

When the mother has a fever of more than 38 degrees Celsius, the temperature of the fetus can increase or develop the same fever. High fever during pregnancy can be caused by many things, one of which is due to infection of the amniotic fluid or chorioamnionitis.

Chorioamnionitis can occur when bacteria have managed to enter and infect the chorion (outer membrane) layer, amnion (amniotic membrane), and amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. If the mother has an amniotic infection, the fetus can experience stress. Medically, this is called fetal distress (fetal distress).

When there is fetal distress, the unborn baby doesn't get enough oxygen from the mother. As a result, the baby's heart rate becomes irregular and increases. Well, it is this increased heart rate that is often thought to be that the fetus is having a fever or overheating, as reported by the Very Well Family.

What are the consequences if a pregnant woman is cold?

When the mother experiences severe cold, aka hypothermia, it does not mean that the fetus will also experience cold in the womb. However, this condition also cannot be taken lightly.

The temperature of the mother's body dropping dramatically suddenly can constrict the mother's blood vessels. As a result, the blood flow that contains oxygen fails to be delivered to the fetus, so that the fetus is deprived of oxygen. If the mother continues to be left in a hypothermic state, the fetus in the womb can grow deformed or even die in the womb.

So in short, pregnant women who feel the usual heat or cold will not have any impact on the baby in her womb. Unless the mother experiences extreme heat or cold, this can only be fatal to the baby and needs to be treated immediately.

Do not let the body overheat while pregnant

As long as your body temperature remains stable even though the weather is cold outside, then you don't really need to worry about your baby getting cold in the womb. Likewise, when you often overheat during pregnancy, this actually won't make the fetus overheat like you feel.

However, remember that this does not mean you can then be free from heat while pregnant. If you feel hot while pregnant, whether it's because of the hot weather or after taking a hot shower, it doesn't hurt to drink plenty of water immediately to prevent dehydration. Although not directly related, pregnant women who are dehydrated can also increase the temperature of the fetus, although not too drastically.

Meanwhile, if you feel cold or have a fever, immediately compress warm water to help reduce fever. That way, the temperature of the fetus can remain warm and does not interfere with the development of your future baby.