Fever while pregnant

[laughingduck]

Does anyone know how much I have to worry about this? I got the flu from my daughter and have a slight fever (38.2 or 100.7). I always hear about bathing being bad because it raises your temp and am worried about fever being bad too. Usually I just ride a fever out unless it gets super uncomfortable because it's there for a reason (to kills germs!). I don't kniw if this is the right philosophy while pregnant though. Anyone know?

 

[laughingduck]

Oh and I called my midwife to ask but they are closed Fridays

 

[ParisJeTadore]

I'm guessing you probably have a health line in Ontario where you can call and speak to a nurse. That would be my first course of action.

I had the flu when pregnant with my son (got up to 102) and I was told that it was safer to take Tylenol and bring down my temperature than keep it elevated. I was so worried about taking any meds that I neglected it for longer than I should have. There's probably NO correlation but my son has autistic tendencies now at age 3 and as a mother (and I know it makes no difference to speculate) I always hate thinking it could have had any connection.

Personally, I'd take Tylenol and bring it down. Some cool clothes on your forehead and body is super helpful too. Hope you feel better soon! Flu while pregnant can be an absolute beast!

 

[rapunzel87]

I had it twice during my first pregnancy. It significantly increased my heart rate, however that is all it really did. But I was told to take Tylenol and drink cool water to keep my temp in check. Just for some reassurance, none of my docs were too concerned. I think it's more of a concern for 1st tri. Do call tele health though. They're wonderful

 

[WantsALittle1]

Hmm, I would definitely check with a phone nurse, as someone else mentioned. I was always told by my OBs to treat my fevers during pregnancy so that my body temperature didn't get too high.

If it provides any comfort, when pregnant with DS I had a bad cold around 6 weeks (fever of ~101 for two days) and was terrified that I was going to miscarry. My OB wasn't worried one bit. He just said to take tylenol and drink plenty of fluids. Then around 34 weeks, both DD and I got very sick (fever of 103+ for at least three days) with a respiratory virus that she brought home from daycare. For me, it ended up turning into severe tonsillitis. The original virus was not the flu, but the fever was high and quite hard to control. With medication, the lowest I could get the fever down to was 100.5. I was very, very concerned but was told by my OB that DS would be fine as long as I kept taking the tylenol and drinking lots of fluids. DS was very healthy at birth and still is, and my fever was nearly 104 a couple times. My tonsils were massive and white, and I was on antibiotics and painkillers too.

I think the flu's fever is potentially dangerous when uncontrolled and high, but I think the bigger concern is when the fever occurs during the first tri, or when complications of the flu such as pneumonia or inflammation of the heart occur. I think a call to your nurse or speaking to an on-call midwife or doctor might give you some guidance and put your mind at ease. And I hope my experiences provide a little reassurance x

 

[laila 44]

Don't worry. Your fever is low grade. Just take Tylenol and drink lots cold water. Rest and it should pass

 

[laughingduck]

Thanks girls. Luckily it never went above 38.5 so I managed to hold off and bring it down with a cool clothe. It's so hard because Ive heard that fever is not good while pregnant but Ive also heard tylenol is not good and I dont know what's worse. I think one of the worst parts of pregnancy is wanting to do whats best for your baby but just not always knowing what that is. Parisjetadore please don't blame yourself that your son has autistic tendancies, there is no clear link between autism and anything so theres really no way you cohod have known what caused it (maybe just genetics!).

 

[babyjan]

I had this 2 weeks ago, my son and I were both sick! Drs and nurse just said to drink plenty of fluid and take paracetamol. They said if I struggle to breath and become very weak to get checked out.

Hope your feeling better soon x

 

[laila 44]

Please don't hold off on taking Tylenol for a fever that's actually not a good idea. It's very important that you bring down your body temperature while pregnant as heat can be very harmful to a fetus. I've been to LD several times and the first thing they do is give you Tylenol. It's Very safe in pregnancy. So next time you feel a fever come on don't hesitate to take Tylenol regular strength xx

 

[minties]

I had the flu at 20 weeks and was under strict instructions to rest and take paracetamol. I saw baby at 21 weeks and all was fine. Hope you are feeling better now!

 

[ParisJeTadore]

Thanks girls. Luckily it never went above 38.5 so I managed to hold off and bring it down with a cool clothe. It's so hard because Ive heard that fever is not good while pregnant but Ive also heard tylenol is not good and I dont know what's worse. I think one of the worst parts of pregnancy is wanting to do whats best for your baby but just not always knowing what that is. Parisjetadore please don't blame yourself that your son has autistic tendancies, there is no clear link between autism and anything so theres really no way you cohod have known what caused it (maybe just genetics!).

Happy to hear your fever didn't get higher, that's great. I'm sure the odd Tylenol is perfectly fine but I understand feeling leery about taking anything.

It's so hard. Often my mind wanders to all sorts of unnecessary places ("was it the allergic reaction at 8 weeks? The flu? The oxygen deprivation at birth?"). I know, pointless. In the same breath two of my cousins have first born boys with autism so you may very well be right.