Temperature during pregnancy in the second trimester: reasons for the increase and how to bring it down. Temperature in the second trimester What to do if you have a fever during pregnancy

When carrying a baby, a woman will take special care not to get sick, because this can have a bad effect on the health of not only herself, but also the fetus. In addition, not every drug can be used during this period. However, temperature during pregnancy does not always indicate the presence of a disease; for example, in the early trimesters nothing can be done about it - this indicates that the female body has begun to actively increase progesterone levels.

What is temperature

To obtain reliable data, doctors advise pregnant women to measure body temperature not in the usual way - under the armpit, but in the mouth, groin area or anus, and it is recommended to do this at rest. This temperature is called basal. It may be the first sign of pregnancy. Its graph allows one to judge the stage of a woman’s menstrual cycle and identify the presence of ovulation or abnormalities in the functioning of the endocrine system.

What is the temperature during pregnancy

By regularly measuring basal temperature, you can determine the onset of pregnancy in the earliest stages. Normally, in the second phase of the menstrual cycle it should be below 37 degrees, but for most women it stays around 37.4-37.5 degrees. This indicator begins to decrease 1-2 days before the start of menstruation or in its first days. Body temperature during early pregnancy remains the same, even if the women's calendar indicates the imminent onset of menstruation. This happens because the level of progesterone in a woman’s body gradually increases.

Inflated data in the second phase of the menstrual cycle are considered normal and this is due to the active production of important hormones, in this way the walls of the uterus are prepared for possible implantation of the embryo. Starting from about the fourth week, when measuring indicators, you can notice their downward trend. In the fifth or sixth month, the schedule completely returns to normal and remains so until the end of pregnancy.

Can there be a fever during pregnancy?

Decreased immunity, changes in the hormonal levels of the expectant mother, climatic conditions, overwork or severe stress are common reasons why the temperature is elevated in the first weeks of pregnancy. In addition, if the conception was unplanned, this may indicate the imminent appearance of a child in your life. The normal value of body temperature in pregnant women should be within 37 degrees, and this phenomenon itself is always short-term in nature.

Fever

However, if the thermometer scale suddenly rises above 37.5, you should worry, and at any time. An increase in temperature during early pregnancy indicates the onset of an inflammatory or infectious disease and threatens miscarriage. If there is a fever in the last trimesters, this can negatively affect the life and health of the unborn baby. For these reasons, you should not postpone your visit to the doctor.

Causes

In any case, if an elevated temperature or other incomprehensible symptoms appear, it is better to consult a doctor and find out the cause of this phenomenon. The most common are:

ARVI or flu. The thermometer can reach 39 degrees. Other symptoms of a cold are weakness in the body, chills, burning in the eyes, and possibly a cough or runny nose.
Bronchitis, laryngitis or other diseases of the respiratory system. Pregnancy with fever is accompanied by symptoms such as cough, sore throat or sore throat.
Disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine gland bring an increase in appetite, with weight loss, emotional disturbances (tearfulness or irritability), and an increase in temperature to 38 degrees.
Intestinal infections are usually accompanied by additional symptoms: bowel problems, fever, nausea or vomiting.
Diseases of the urinary tract or kidneys - cystitis, pyelonephritis. Most often occur in pregnant women in the second or third trimester. In addition to fever, nagging pain in the lower back and painful urination may appear.
Children's infectious diseases - measles, lupus, chickenpox can also cause chills. All these infections are accompanied by a rash on the body, severe fever and weakness.
Other reasons are allergic reactions, stress, physical strain, early toxicosis, the presence of ectopic pregnancies or inflammatory diseases of internal organs.

Why is it dangerous?

A temperature in pregnant women that rises above 38 degrees and lasts for more than three days without decreasing is considered threatening. It is precisely this persistence that can cause various adverse effects on the baby’s health. At the same time, gynecologists say that you need to take special care during the period from 4 to 14 weeks of gestation.. At this stage, fever can provoke miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, or death of the embryo before it attaches to the walls of the uterus.

At other stages of pregnancy, an increase in the thermometer scale above this mark or the presence of dangerous infections will entail various mutations and malformations of the child. The most likely defects are:

impaired mental function;
congenital hernias, tight abdomen syndrome and other disorders in the development of the anterior abdominal wall;
vascular and heart defects;
underdevelopment of the limbs, especially fingers, feet and hands;
disturbances in the structure of the facial skull;
there are problems with vision.

In addition, due to high temperature, the mother's blood clotting is impaired, which often leads to increased thrombus formation. A detached blood clot can clog the blood vessels of the placenta, which will lead to oxygen starvation or intrauterine death of the child - a frozen pregnancy or cause a miscarriage. In the third trimester of pregnancy, fever can trigger premature birth.

Is it worth shooting down?

Based on the above, we can conclude that if the thermometer scale is near the 37-37.5 mark, then there is no need to lower the temperature - it is within the normal range. However, this statement only applies in early pregnancy. In the last trimesters, any minor changes from the norm are considered pathological and can provoke serious complications, including the threat of termination of pregnancy.

How to shoot down

Hyperthermia is the body’s defense mechanism when fighting various types of viruses and infections. With minor increases that do not affect the woman’s general condition, and the absence of additional symptoms of viral infections, doctors recommend waiting with active treatment. Otherwise, you cannot do without special antipyretic medications. Considering the fact that most medications have many contraindications, only a doctor can decide how to lower a fever during pregnancy. Without his consultation you can:

If you have symptoms of ARVI or other viral diseases, take a Paracetamol tablet, but do not forget that long-term use of this drug can negatively affect the kidneys and liver, as well as cause hematopoietic dysfunction. You can take Paracetamol a maximum of 4 times a day.
Take vitamins and immunostimulating agents that are not contraindicated for pregnant women, for example, the drug Viferon.
You should not take any antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals without a doctor's recommendation. Aspirin, often used as an antipyretic, is also prohibited. This medicine is especially dangerous in the first trimester, when the formation of fetal organs and tissues occurs.

Traditional methods

Considering that most of the active components of drugs can penetrate into the fetus along with the bloodstream, it is advisable to resort to non-drug treatment methods at home. If you do not suffer from kidney disease or gestosis, you should drink as much warm or hot liquid as possible to prevent further intoxication. This could be warm milk or special teas with mint, lemon, honey, raspberry, which you use to treat colds or viral infections.

Hot baths and wrapping in a blanket are strictly contraindicated. They can reflexively increase the tone of the uterus and provoke premature birth or miscarriage. Instead, it is better to wipe with a damp cloth soaked in a solution of one and a half percent vinegar and water. The evaporation of moisture from the surface of the skin will increase heat transfer and reduce body temperature.

Reduced temperature

Hypothermia is a condition of the body in which heat loss processes are accelerated. Low temperature during pregnancy is a good reason to urgently consult a doctor. A decrease in the thermometer below 36.6 degrees can provoke general weakness, severe headaches, dizziness and clouding of consciousness, even fainting. Such thermoregulatory disruptions increase sweating and negatively affect the course of pregnancy.

Causes

This phenomenon often occurs in pregnant women in the early stages. Reasons for reducing basal temperature may be:

individual characteristics of the female body - under such circumstances there is no need to worry;
fluctuations in blood sugar levels;
overwork, physical activity;
hormonal changes;
insufficient production of the hormone progesterone;
development of iron deficiency anemia;
disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system;
lack of nutrients and vitamins in the body;
late toxicosis, against the background of general intoxication of the body.

How to treat

If the cause of this phenomenon is not any disease or disturbance in the functioning of the internal systems of the body, then the treatment for low rectal temperature is simple - adherence to the general daily routine. It is important that a pregnant woman eats a healthy and varied diet, gets good sleep and spends a lot of time outdoors. Here, too, it is important to choose safe treatment. Low basal body temperatures can be brought back to normal by following these tips:

To improve your condition, you can sign up for gymnastics or go to the pool.
Strongly brewed tea with sugar or honey helps raise the temperature.
The thermometer scale will rise after drinking a ginger drink, but if this root vegetable is not to your taste, replace it with beetroot or carrot juice.
To prevent your unborn baby from suffering from temperature changes in the future, take vitamin complexes.

Video

A necessary condition for the normal functioning of the body is a constant body temperature maintained at an optimal level. A temperature of 36.6°C is considered to be the norm, but one must remember that this value is individual for each person, so the limits of normal body temperature are values from 35.8 to 37.0°C.

The constancy of temperature is due to the balance between the processes of heat formation in the body - heat production and the removal of excess heat - heat transfer, in which the main role is played by the kidneys, lungs and skin. Ensuring a stable body temperature is “managed” by the thermoregulation center located in the brain - in the hypothalamus. When unfavorable conditions develop, special biologically active substances called pyrogens either enter the body from the outside or begin to be produced by the body itself. By influencing the thermoregulation center, they cause an increase in body temperature - hyperthermia.

Considering that hyperthermia is a response not only to the introduction of pyrogens that have entered the body from the outside, i.e., bacteria and viruses, but also to the production of pyrogens by the body itself, the reasons for the increase in body temperature may be:

infections and associated inflammatory processes;
endocrine diseases, such as thyroid pathology;
hormonal imbalances;
blood diseases, including anemia - pathological conditions manifested by a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood - a protein that delivers oxygen to tissues;
neurological pathology, contributing to the activation of the thermoregulation center, psycho-emotional stress;
autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system begins to work against its own tissues, leading to their damage;
allergic reactions.

However, in the vast majority of cases temperature increase is an effective protective mechanism in the fight against infection, since with hyperthermia there is an increase in the rate of metabolic processes and biochemical reactions, vasodilation, which results in accelerated elimination of harmful agents due to active sweating, increased blood circulation, and increased urine output. An important factor is that hyperthermia creates conditions for the death of microbial bodies.

Temperature increase- a physiological protective reaction of the body, but during pregnancy, especially in the 1st trimester, when organogenesis is underway - a complex process of laying the organs and tissues of the fetus, hyperthermia can have an adverse effect on the unborn child. The degree of damaging effects of elevated temperature is determined by three factors: the degree of temperature increase, i.e., the numbers to which it increased, the duration of hyperthermia, and the period of pregnancy at which the temperature increase was noted.

It must be said that temperatures of 38°C and above have a damaging effect on fetal development. Adverse consequences can develop if the period of increased body temperature is sufficiently long - more than 3 days.

Concerning temperature during pregnancy and the period during which hyperthermia can have an adverse effect, the most critical period in this regard is considered to be the period from 4 to 14 weeks. When body temperature rises in the earliest stages (up to 4–5 weeks), the body acts on the “all or nothing” principle. This means that if damage to the fetus occurs due to the influence of any damaging factors, which include hyperthermia, then the death of the embryo and early spontaneous miscarriage occurs. A woman may not be aware of this due to the very short period of pregnancy, mistaking bleeding during a miscarriage for normal menstruation. If no damaging effect on the embryo occurs, then the growth and development of the fetus continues completely normally.

High has a teratogenic effect - the ability to provoke fetal malformations, the cause of which is a violation of protein synthesis. Under the influence of hyperthermia, defects can form:

central nervous system,
anterior abdominal wall,
of cardio-vascular system,
limbs,
in the formation of the facial skeleton (cleft palate and upper lip, jaw malformation - micrognathia),
microphthalmia – underdevelopment of the eyeballs.

High temperature during pregnancy provokes the formation of blood clots; blockage of the blood vessels of the placental area by them can cause intrauterine death of the embryo, non-developing pregnancy, and spontaneous miscarriage. The predisposition to miscarriage also increases because hyperthermia increases the contractility of the myometrium - the muscle of the uterus.

Damaging effect elevated temperature the body after 14 weeks, fortunately, is not so dramatic, because the formation of organs and tissues of the fetus has already ended. Since high temperature impairs blood circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues, this is dangerous for the unborn baby in terms of the development of intrauterine hypoxia and premature termination of pregnancy.

Causes of temperature during pregnancy

Unfortunately, during pregnancy there is an increased likelihood of getting infections that are accompanied by an increase in body temperature. This circumstance is due to a decrease in immunity, which occurs even during an absolutely normal pregnancy. Suppression of the activity of the immune system is necessary for successful gestation of the fertilized egg, since genetically it is only 50% “native” for the expectant mother, and 50% contains foreign genetic information inherited from the father.

Let's look at the most common diseases that can cause a rise in body temperature to high values.

Flu and acute respiratory infections during pregnancy

Unfortunately, due to the described features of the immune system, pregnant women have a fairly high chance of catching the flu or acute respiratory disease (ARI), especially during seasonal exacerbations.

Clinical manifestations of influenza in pregnant women have a classic picture: an acute onset of the disease is characteristic, when there is a sharp rise in body temperature to 39–40°C, accompanied by symptoms of intoxication - general weakness, apathy, muscle aches, drowsiness, headaches, pale skin. As a rule, the symptoms of intoxication fade into the background on the 2nd–3rd day of illness, and then a runny nose, sore throat, and dry cough appear.

Considering the physiological decrease in immunity, pregnant women with influenza or acute respiratory infections have an increased risk of developing complications in the form of secondary bacterial infections:

pneumonia- pneumonia;
otitis– inflammation of the middle ear;
sinusitis– inflammation of the paranasal sinuses: sinusitis, frontal sinusitis;
laryngotracheitis– inflammation of the larynx and trachea.

This significantly aggravates the condition of the expectant mother, delays the recovery period, and necessitates the use of antibacterial therapy. In addition, a viral infection, especially if it occurred in the 1st trimester of pregnancy - up to 12 weeks, can adversely affect the development and intrauterine condition of the fetus. It is possible for the virus to penetrate the placenta - intrauterine infection; development of hypoxia - oxygen starvation of the fetus; formation of developmental defects; miscarriage.

When increasing temperature during pregnancy, regardless of the severity of hyperthermia, and the appearance of catarrhal symptoms - cough, runny nose, sore throat - the expectant mother needs to call a general practitioner at home. You should not go to a clinic or antenatal clinic yourself due to the risk of infecting other patients, which will contribute to the spread of the epidemic. In addition, if your body temperature rises, it is better to lie down - leaving the house in this state is not only undesirable, but also dangerous, since there is a risk of a sudden deterioration in health, fainting, etc.

The patient poses a danger to others in terms of transmission of viral infection by airborne droplets from the moment the first symptoms appear (fever) until the catarrhal symptoms subside, that is, within 5–7 days from the onset of the disease.

Acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy

Another common cause of hyperthermia is pyelonephritis, an infectious and inflammatory kidney disease. During pregnancy, this disease often manifests itself for the first time, and if the expectant mother has previously suffered from this disease, it often worsens. This is due to the predisposing conditions that pregnancy creates. These include difficulty in the outflow of urine due to compression of the ureters by the pregnant uterus, as well as due to the relaxing effect of the pregnancy hormone progesterone on the urinary tract, which also slows down the passage of urine.

Clinical manifestations acute pyelonephritis are a sharp increase in body temperature to 39°C and above, which may be accompanied by chills and a disturbance in the general condition. This is due to intoxication - general weakness, headache.

Against the background of general symptoms, pain in the lumbar region appears somewhat later, which can radiate to the thigh, groin area, upper abdomen, and frequent painful urination; the urine becomes cloudy due to a large number of leukocytes or is stained with blood.

The development of an inflammatory process in the kidneys can adversely affect the course of pregnancy, since this pathology is the background for the development of the threat of miscarriage or late gestosis - a complication of the second half of pregnancy, manifested by edema, increased blood pressure, and the appearance of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia can lead to conditions dangerous for the mother and fetus.

As a result of pyelonephritis, the fetus may develop:

intrauterine infection, since exacerbation of this disease during pregnancy is a factor in the increased risk of bacterial infection;
placental insufficiency is a complication in which the placenta does not fully perform one or more of its functions - respiratory, protective, immunological, nutritional, etc.;
chronic hypoxia - a violation of the respiratory function of the placenta, in which insufficient oxygen flows from mother to fetus;
fetal growth retardation.

In the postpartum period, this disease creates an increased risk of purulent-septic pathology.

It must be remembered that with pronounced general symptoms of intoxication, local symptoms, i.e., kidney disorders, in pregnant women may be blurred or completely absent, which complicates the diagnosis of pyelonephritis, but indicates the need for a thorough comprehensive examination when body temperature rises.

Pregnancy hormone

A peculiar reaction of the body to pregnancy is an increase in body temperature to 37–37.4°C. This circumstance is due to the fact that the pregnancy hormone progesterone is an internal pyrogen and, when exposed to the thermoregulation center in the hypothalamus, causes a similar effect. The effect of progesterone is determined by the periodic appearance of “hot flashes” in expectant mothers in the form of a feeling of heat, redness of the face and upper body, and increased sweating. The physiological increase in body temperature caused by progesterone influence has distinctive features:

the temperature does not rise above 37.5°C;
the increase in temperature is not accompanied by other signs of infectious and inflammatory diseases - cough, runny nose, pain when urinating, etc.;
against the background of an increase in temperature, the general condition does not suffer - there is no weakness, malaise;
temperature rise occurs only in I trimester of pregnancy, in the second and third trimesters the temperature normalizes and does not exceed 37°C.

How to reduce fever during pregnancy

Before you start lowering your body temperature, you need to clearly understand a few simple rules:

If the temperature does not reach high values (no higher than 37°C) and your general health does not suffer, you should not actively begin treatment, much less the use of medications. Do not forget that hyperthermia is a protective mechanism in the body’s fight against infection. A situation when the body temperature reaches 38°C or higher is subject to active treatment.
Considering that any medicine will penetrate to the fetus, first it is worth trying to reduce the temperature with non-drug means, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. If there are no contraindications, for example, kidney pathology, gestosis, it is necessary to drink more liquid, warm or hot, to relieve intoxication of the body.
Hot drinks, having a diaphoretic effect, help lower body temperature: teas with mint and/or lemon, warm milk with honey, tea with raspberries (its seeds contain a substance similar in action to aspirin), linden blossom infusion, warm chicken broth. The second quite popular and effective method of reducing fever without tablets is wiping with a cloth moistened with water at room temperature or 1.5% vinegar. The evaporation of moisture from the surface of the body increases heat transfer, which helps reduce temperature.
An important point is to identify the cause of the elevated temperature, since hyperthermia is always a consequence of some pathological process. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate, as this can lead to a significant worsening of the condition and complicate treatment. It is necessary to call an ambulance if there is a sharp rise in body temperature with chills, if after a certain period of elevated temperature there is a decrease in temperature (a decrease below 36°C is especially unfavorable), which is accompanied by weakness, apathy, rapid breathing and increased heart rate. It is also necessary to call an ambulance if the increase in temperature is accompanied by sharp pain in the right or left lateral abdomen up to the development of nausea and vomiting. Within 24 hours, you should consult a gynecologist or therapist if you notice an increase in body temperature to any level, accompanied by aching pain in the lumbar region and urinary problems - frequent urges, cramps, urination in small portions.
If your body temperature is above 38°C, your general well-being suffers: severe weakness, muscle aches, etc. appear, and non-drug methods have no effect, then you cannot do without the use of antipyretics. For pregnant women, the safest drug is PARACETAMOL. Although this medicine is allowed during pregnancy, with long-term frequent use of PARACETAMOL, there may be cases of adverse side effects from the kidneys and liver, a decrease in the level of hemoglobin in the blood, which leads to the development of anemia, and platelets - white blood platelets involved in the formation of a blood clot. A decreased platelet count increases the risk of pathological blood loss. Taking into account the above, the expectant mother can take PARACETAMOL one tablet no more than 4 times a day with intervals between doses of at least 4 hours.
Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or take antibacterial or antiviral agents yourself. Firstly, in order to prescribe the correct treatment, it is necessary to establish the factor that provoked the increase in temperature. Secondly, many antibiotics and antiviral drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy, and in some cases can harm the health of the unborn child.
ASPIRIN, often used as an antipyretic, is contraindicated in pregnant women, especially in the 1st trimester, when all organs and tissues are developing, as it can provoke fetal development abnormalities and increase the risk of spontaneous miscarriage.

Body temperature refers to the parameters that the body independently maintains at a certain level. This is ensured by complex connections between the thermoregulation center (a special area in the brain responsible for the constancy of body temperature) and the periphery (organs, tissues). Normally, in a healthy person at rest, the temperature in the armpit is 36.5-36.9 C?.

The regulation of the thermal center is carried out through special biologically active substances that are secreted by cells depending on the condition and needs of the body. These substances enter the brain through the bloodstream, causing it to increase or decrease body temperature. In addition, bacteria and viruses that enter the body from the outside can affect the thermoregulation center. From what has been said, it becomes clear that if the body temperature suddenly rises, this means that something has happened in the vastness of the body. Pregnancy is no exception. An increase in body temperature in a pregnant woman, like any person, is necessarily associated with some reason.

It is customary to divide temperature into normal (36.5-36.9 C?), subfebrile (37.0-37.9 C?) and febrile (fever - above 38.0 C?). Is the condition above 37.0 C? has a common name - hyperthermia.

Causes of elevated temperature during pregnancy

There are many reasons for increased body temperature. These may be diseases of the endocrine glands, infections, inflammation, poisoning, and nervous system disorders. But the most common ones that most women encounter during pregnancy are the following.

First trimester of pregnancy:

Physiological hyperthermia;
Cold or flu.

II trimester of pregnancy:

Pyelonephritis in pregnant women;
Upper respiratory tract infections.

III trimester of pregnancy:

Respiratory infections (bacterial and viral)
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy;
Acute appendicitis.

All pregnant expectant mothers should remember: whatever the cause, hyperthermia is ALWAYS a reason to consult with your doctor.

Of the conditions and diseases listed above, 3 groups can be distinguished:

1. Physiological norm.

2. Conditions that can be treated at home after consulting a doctor.

3. Diseases requiring emergency medical care.

Physiological norm

Hyperthermia in pregnant women

After ovulation of the egg, a corpus luteum forms in its place. It secretes a special hormone - http://moymalush.ru/page/appendicit-pri-beremennosti. Under the influence of progesterone, intestinal tone and motility decrease, and constipation appears. The contents stagnate in the lower parts of the gastrointestinal tract, creating conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora. As the uterus grows, the position of the sections of the large intestine changes. The disease begins suddenly with pain in the epigastrium (under the stomach), which then moves to the right iliac region, nausea, vomiting, and fever are possible.

If a woman experiences at least some of the symptoms listed above, she should urgently contact a specialist. Self-medication in these cases is unacceptable.

To lower or not to lower the temperature

When the doctor has made a diagnosis, prescribed the necessary treatment, and the condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus does not pose a threat, then you can complete your treatment at home. Many expectant mothers are concerned about the question of how to reduce the use of chemicals. Is it possible to replace pharmacology with natural remedies, or maybe just endure it and rest. If in relation to etiotropic therapy (treatment aimed at the causative agent of the disease) it is impossible to make changes on your own or completely refuse, then you can try replacing medications for fever with more “natural” ones.

Not every temperature needs to be lowered. Although it is generally considered to be one of the components of the disease, in fact, temperature is the body’s assistant in the fight against infection. Doctors have a saying: temperature is the best medicine. Hyperthermia up to 38 C? is a natural activator of the immune system, stimulates the proliferation of protective cells, increases the synthesis of antiviral interferon proteins. By depriving the body of high temperature, a person gives a chance to the disease.

Obstetrician-gynecologists have general principles for the management of pregnant women with hyperthermia:

in women without concomitant pathology in the first and second trimesters, the temperature is up to 38.0 C? no need to reduce;
for pregnant women in the third trimester, it is better not to allow the temperature to rise to 38 C, so as not to overload the heart and blood vessels;
For pregnant women with chronic diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine systems, kidneys, and with manifestations of gestosis, the temperature is reduced, starting from 37.5 C?, so as not to provoke exacerbations.

Non-drug methods of dealing with fever

At home, it is preferable to start fighting the temperature with non-drug remedies. Since these methods, unlike medications, do not cause a quick effect, they can be used without waiting for the maximum permissible level of hyperthermia. These include: methods for enhancing heat transfer (physical methods) and medicinal herbs (“traditional medicine”).

Physical methods of reducing temperature during pregnancy

Physical methods are based on increasing heat transfer from the patient. In order to use them correctly, it is necessary to be able to distinguish between “red” and “white” hyperthermia.

“Red hyperthermia” is a state of elevated temperature in which the blood vessels are in a dilated state. The skin becomes hot, moist, and richly pink. To reduce the temperature, you can use lightweight clothing, airing the room (without drafts), a cold compress on the forehead, large joints (in the bend of the elbows, in the popliteal fossae), wiping the body with water at room temperature. Do not use too cold water for compresses or rubdowns, as this will lead to spasm of skin blood vessels. It is better not to use water-acetic, and even more so water-alcohol rubdowns, which are popular among the older generation, since the active substances are absorbed through the skin and can lead to negative consequences. Be sure to drink plenty of cool (not cold!) drinks: sour fruit drinks (cranberry, lingonberry), dried fruit compotes, weak tea with lemon. The menu should consist of light foods without saturated fats and large amounts of carbohydrates.

“White hyperthermia” is an increase in temperature accompanied by spasm of blood vessels. Characterized by chills, pale, cold hands and feet. In this case, physical cooling methods cannot be used! Treatment consists of hot drinks (tea with raspberries, honey, milk), warming the body and limbs (woolen socks, wrapping yourself in a blanket, etc.).

The use of medicinal herbs in the treatment of fever during pregnancy

Many plants used in folk medicine have antipyretic properties. Decoctions and teas made from them can be used to combat hyperthermia.

However, there are herbs that should not be used during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the fetus. These include: coltsfoot, oregano, (, Calpol and others)

Paracetamol is taken 1 tablet 3 times a day (every 8 hours) after meals. Please note: it cannot be taken without a doctor’s prescription for more than 3 days.

During the period of bearing a child, many changes occur in the female body. The main changes are observed in the endocrine system - the level of progesterone and estrogen increases significantly. The expectant mother’s immunity also suffers; the body produces fewer defense factors against pathogenic microorganisms.

Normal temperature during pregnancy differs from the physiological values characteristic of a woman who is not carrying a child. This phenomenon is observed due to an increased amount of progesterone and an immunosuppressive state.

Favorable human body temperature

For a healthy person, normal body temperature is between 36.0 and 36.9 degrees Celsius. Thermometer values between 37.0 and 37.9 degrees are called subfebrile, from 38.0 to 38.9 degrees - febrile, from 39.0 to 40.9 degrees - pyretic, more than 41.0 - hyperpyretic.

The above classification is valid only for measurements taken in the axillary region. The temperature in the mouth is approximately 0.3 degrees higher, in the rectum - by 0.5 degrees. You should also take into account the measurement error of the thermometer.

Favorable body temperature during pregnancy

Temperatures during pregnancy may be slightly higher than those of a normal person. This phenomenon is associated with the action of the hormone progesterone. After ovulation, in the second half of the menstrual cycle, a woman’s ovary forms a corpus luteum. This organ produces progesterone, a hormone that supports pregnancy.

One of the functions of progesterone is to maintain a high basal temperature (measured in the rectum) at a level of up to 37.4-37.5 degrees. Such values are necessary for the processes of implantation and cell division of the fertilized egg. If a woman does not become pregnant, a few days after ovulation the corpus luteum dies and the temperature returns to normal values.

If conception has taken place, the corpus luteum does not die, but continues to synthesize progesterone. This is why basal temperature in the first days of pregnancy is often several tenths of a degree higher than normal values. However, in some women it may remain below 37.0-37.1. Such values are typical for expectant mothers whose normal body temperature in the armpit is less than 36.6 degrees.

Attention! The permissible temperature in the 1st trimester of pregnancy when measured in the armpit ranges from 36.0 to 37.2 degrees; in later stages, the maximum values normally do not exceed 36.9 degrees.

Summarizing the above, the temperature in early pregnancy, measured in the armpit, can range widely from 36.0 to 37.2 degrees. When the thermometer is in the oral cavity, the upper values reach 37.4 degrees. Basal temperature at the beginning of pregnancy can reach 37.5 degrees.

However, the corpus luteum functions only until the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. Normal body temperature in pregnant women after the 14th week of gestation should not exceed 36.9 degrees when measured in the axillary region.

Low temperature during pregnancy

Low body temperature during pregnancy is a temperature less than 36.0 degrees when measured in the armpit. Sometimes such indicators are the result of incorrect use of a thermometer. In other cases, low temperature in early pregnancy is the result of the following diseases:

#1. Hypofunction of the thyroid gland.

Its hormones influence all processes occurring in the human body, including heat exchange. With a reduced amount of thyroxine, a decrease in metabolism, weakness, fatigue, and swelling is observed. People suffering from an underactive thyroid gland may experience chills without a rise in body temperature.

#2. Lack of nutrients.

A person receives energy and warmth from eating food. In the first weeks of pregnancy, women often suffer from toxicosis, which is why most of the food is not absorbed and the body experiences starvation.

#3. Fall of immunity.

During pregnancy, the expectant mother's body synthesizes fewer antibodies, which can be manifested by a decrease in body temperature.

#4. Increased loads.

Stress and physical fatigue can cause disturbances in the thermoregulation center located in the brain.

Low body temperature in the 2nd and 3rd trimester of pregnancy is often the result. The decrease in hemoglobin occurs due to the growing need for iron and vitamins B3 and B12, which are not supplied in sufficient quantities with food. Due to a decrease in the number of red blood cells, the intensity of metabolism and heat production decreases.

Another reason for a drop in body temperature in the middle or end of pregnancy is gestational diabetes. The disease leads to impaired glucose metabolism, which leads to thermoregulation pathologies.

Low body temperature does not have a direct effect on the fetus. However, the listed diseases and conditions can provoke malnutrition of the unborn child, his delay in growth and development.

If a body temperature is diagnosed below 36.0 degrees for more than two days in a row, a woman should immediately seek medical help. The doctor will prescribe additional tests and instrumental research methods that will help make a diagnosis and select treatment.

High body temperature during pregnancy

Fever during pregnancy is almost always one of the symptoms of infectious and inflammatory diseases. This reaction is protective, since many pathogenic microorganisms cannot live and reproduce under high heat exchange. An increase in body temperature occurs due to the activation of a center located in the medulla oblongata.

Quite often, infections are accompanied by other complaints. The most common of them are symptoms of general intoxication: dizziness, weakness, nausea, etc. Depending on the location of the lesion, other complaints characteristic of certain diseases are added to the general complaints: abdominal pain, cough, blood in the urine, etc.

Any microorganism is conditionally dangerous for the fetus. Bacteria and viruses can cause the following negative reactions:

#1. Congenital anomalies.

Even cold pathogens can cause fetal malformations. The earlier the infection occurred, the more serious the consequences for the unborn child. In the 1st trimester of pregnancy, there is a risk of such severe anomalies as absence of a heart or kidney, underdevelopment of the brain, and an increase in the number of limbs. Quite often they lead to intrauterine fetal death. In later stages of pregnancy, microorganisms cause less severe defects that are compatible with life. The most dangerous agents are considered to be the causative agents of TORCH infections - toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes.

#2. Decreased blood supply to the placenta.

Due to the development of oxygen starvation of the fetus, a delay in its growth and development and pathology of the central nervous system are formed.

#3. Placental abruption.

This pathology is manifested by bleeding from the vagina and nagging pain in the lower abdomen. Without medical assistance, placental abruption ends in fetal death.

#4. Increased uterine tone.

Some bacteria and viruses synthesize antibodies that affect the smooth muscles of human internal organs. Due to this, the uterus begins to spontaneously contract, which leads to miscarriage or premature birth.

#5. General intoxication.

Severe disease affects the entire body of the expectant mother. Infections may affect the cardiovascular, urinary, digestive, and respiratory systems, which will lead to a decrease in fetal nutrition.

Treatment of high fever

Under no circumstances should you self-treat for infectious diseases during pregnancy. The doctor must make an accurate diagnosis, assess the need for treatment and select. Many medications are contraindicated during pregnancy, so choosing them independently can lead to unpredictable consequences.

In most cases, low-grade fever should not be lowered, as it helps the mother's body fight infection. Thermometer readings above 38.0 degrees almost always require intervention.

Among non-drug methods of treating elevated body temperature, one of the most famous is tea with a variety of additives. , lemon, lemon balm, raspberries and other products have antiseptic properties, strengthen the immune system, and supply the mother’s body with vitamins.

Also, the expectant mother should drink as much clean, cool water as possible. It causes sweating, which lowers body temperature. Rubbing with cool water, which cools the woman’s skin, is useful.

Treatment of ARVI in pregnant women:

Drug treatment is extremely limited during pregnancy. The safest drugs are Paracetamol, which in studies did not cause congenital anomalies of the fetus. However, these medications should not be taken for more than 3-5 days in a row, as they contribute to impaired kidney and liver function.

If there is no effect from Paracetamol, the doctor may prescribe more serious drugs. Nurofen is a modern remedy that not only reduces body temperature, but also relieves pain and inflammation. However, this medication is prohibited for use from 30 to 40 weeks of pregnancy. Nurofen affects the smooth muscles of the uterus and, when taken in the 3rd trimester, can provoke pathologies of labor.

Celecoxib preparations are one of the most powerful remedies for elevated body temperature. However, medications should not be used in the third trimester of pregnancy. At earlier stages, their use is possible only if there are serious indications.

Acetylsalicylic acid preparations are strictly prohibited in the early stages of pregnancy, as they increase the likelihood of developmental abnormalities in the unborn child. Also, medications in this group cannot be used in the third trimester of gestation due to their effect on labor and the cardiovascular system of the fetus. The drugs can be used from 14 to 28 weeks, but even during this period their use is not advisable, since there are more effective and safe analogues.

Disease Prevention

To prevent infection, the expectant mother should increase her immunity. To do this, she is recommended to engage in light sports - feasible gymnastics, swimming, badminton, etc. Also, a pregnant woman should walk a lot in the fresh air and avoid strenuous physical activity and stress.

To strengthen the immune system, the expectant mother should take a responsible approach to planning her diet. It should include sufficient amounts of proteins, vitamins and minerals. A pregnant woman should eat lean meat, fish, fresh vegetables, fruits and berries several times a week. If necessary, the expectant mother can take vitamin complexes.

A pregnant woman should also reduce the likelihood of infection. To do this, she is advised to ventilate the room in which she is located, not to contact sick people, dress warmly, and not sit under a draft, fan or air conditioner. If possible, she should avoid public places, especially in autumn and winter.

A woman expecting the birth of a child is advised to carefully monitor hygiene rules. Upon arrival home, the expectant mother should thoroughly wash her hands and wash her face with soap. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash. During pregnancy, you should not touch animals that can be carriers of infections.

What could be more wonderful than the birth and birth of a new life? Although pregnancy is an absolutely normal process from a physiological point of view, a woman needs to take care of herself more than ever during this period of her life, without, however, crossing boundaries or going to extremes.

It was so conceived by Mother Nature that in order to create optimal conditions for conceiving and bearing a baby, the expectant mother’s immunity is reduced, because otherwise it may be rejected: after all, 50% of the baby’s DNA belongs to her husband. And getting sick now would be extremely undesirable, because taking most medications during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. Many diseases are accompanied by an increase in body temperature - this is normal, this is how the body reacts to the disease and produces antibodies to attack viral cells. How can pregnant women deal with fever during pregnancy?

Increased body temperature during pregnancy

So, in ordinary life, an increase in body temperature is a protective reaction of the body, and, as a rule, can be accompanied by other signs of the disease - sore throat, cough, general weakness, stuffy nose, etc. Since fever is a consequence of the disease, it is necessary to fight all the symptoms together after the diagnosis has been made by a doctor.

Temperature is our defense against external irritants, so we should not rush to fight it. As a rule, it should be knocked down after 38.5, since otherwise the load on the heart increases. But this indicator is individual for everyone; for some, even at 38, it becomes unbearable, for others, even at 39, they feel great.

In any case, if the temperature has risen, the first thing you should do is deal with it yourself, without resorting to medications, to give your body a try to get out on its own:

Control your appetite. In principle, people with a high temperature, as a rule, do not have it, and this is a signal from the body - there is no need to force food into it, it is already weakened, all forces are devoted to fighting the virus! And the process of digesting food will take away from him the strength that he would use for this very struggle, therefore, even if you really want to, it’s still not worth filling your stomach to capacity.
Heat loss according to pediatrician of the highest category E.O. Komarovsky is possible in two ways - by evaporating sweat and by warming the inhaled air. That’s why drinking plenty of warm water is so necessary. In other words, you need to sweat properly, and if there is no excess fluid in the body, then there is nothing to sweat with, so the temperature will not drop on its own. That’s why we drink even though I don’t want to! It is worth remembering that the closer the temperature of the absorbed liquid is to body temperature, the faster it will be absorbed. Anything will do: tea with honey and lemon, raspberry jam, or ginger, compote, fruit juice, herbs, etc.
Warming the inhaled air is possible when the temperature in the room fluctuates between 18-22 degrees. If you experience chills and fever during pregnancy, it is better to dress warmly, but do not try to warm the air with heaters. On the contrary, fresh air is the key to health!

If you fulfill the conditions listed above, then the chances that the body will cope with the temperature on its own are very high. And this applies to pregnant women just like small children - first of all. And for everyone else, as a last resort, it is permissible to lower the temperature with the help of medications, fortunately there is now a large choice on the market.

It is extremely undesirable for expectant mothers, like young children, to resort to drug treatment, but they still have their own list of drugs approved for use. But first, let's try to figure out what the causes of elevated temperature may be, depending on the stage of pregnancy.

Temperature during early pregnancy

The first trimester is a time of change and adaptation of the mother's body to a new life, which has significant differences from the previous one. This so-called transitional period is very sensitive; the less interference there is in the mystery of the process, the better. Fertilization of the egg occurs, it turns into a tiny embryo, attaching to the wall of the uterus. All vital organs and systems are formed in him, the placenta - a protective temporary organ - has not yet been formed, therefore most medications are still prohibited. In a word, the expectant mother needs to do everything possible and impossible so as not to catch some kind of ARVI in the first trimester.

The body of a pregnant woman undergoes a number of significant changes, both internally and noticeable to the naked eye. If an average person has an average temperature of 36.6, then it is difficult to say for sure what temperature is normal during pregnancy.

The fact is that the temperature at the beginning of pregnancy rises in many expectant mothers, and the reason for this is the pregnancy itself. With its onset, the mother’s body produces the hormone progesterone, which is necessary for the normal development and growth of the embryo. Due to its effect on the thermoregulation center, body temperature rises. In addition, the immune system of the expectant mother weakens, immunosuppression occurs - this is how the fetus protects itself from possible rejection.

Of course, in such cases we are talking about minor increases - up to a temperature of 37.2 during pregnancy, by and large, there is nothing to worry about. Higher rates with accompanying symptoms of ARVI, infectious diseases or other diseases indicate that a visit to the doctor cannot be postponed!

For example, an increase in body temperature can also be a consequence of diseases of the kidneys, thyroid gland or respiratory system. And depending on the diagnosis established by the doctor, comprehensive treatment is necessary, aimed primarily at the cause of the increase in body temperature!

Temperature: second trimester of pregnancy

The golden mean or equator of pregnancy - during this period, catching a particular disease is not as dangerous as at the very beginning or before childbirth. But it’s still undesirable, of course.

A temperature of 37 - 37.2 during pregnancy may still persist if its cause is pregnancy itself, in some cases even until childbirth. This is normal, there is no need to panic.

A higher temperature during pregnancy in the second trimester, in addition to the reasons listed above, can be caused by the development of defects in the fetus, damage to the placenta, or uterine tone. Therefore, we repeat that it is necessary to fight, first of all, not with the temperature, but with the reason causing its increase.

So, warm drinks and cool air in the bedroom will still be effective, but now, with particularly high body temperatures, it’s not so scary to take legal antipyretics!

Can there be a fever during pregnancy in the third trimester?

For some expectant mothers, it turns out that the temperature of 36.9 - 37.2 during pregnancy can remain until the onset of labor. By and large, in the third trimester the baby is already fully formed, and now he is actively gaining weight, looking more and more like a newborn baby every day. But this does not mean that now a pregnant woman is not afraid of getting sick and taking medications - the closer this happens to the start of labor, the worse it is for both her and the baby.

However, it is possible to reduce fever with some caution using approved medications when the expected benefit outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.

Fever during pregnancy: what to do

So, by and large, you already know what to do - provide plenty of fluids and cool air in the room. But it happens that this is not enough, and the temperature persists during pregnancy for quite a long time, and this is already fraught with danger to the health of the mother and her unborn baby. What can you do about temperature during pregnancy in this case?

In the first and second trimesters, Paracetamol is best. It is the safest of all antipyretics and is approved for use even during breastfeeding. Acceptable options are Nurofen, Panadol (it is based on the same Paracetamol) and, with caution, Ibuprofen.

In the third trimester, only Paracetamol and Panadol remain on the list of approved drugs. Nurofen is prohibited because it can provoke premature labor, while Ibuprofen, on the contrary, can prolong and complicate the process of labor.

Now you know how to lower your temperature during pregnancy, but remember - before taking any medicine, consultation with your doctor is required!

Pregnancy: fever, cough

It is rare that an elevated temperature is not accompanied by additional symptoms, and, as a rule, a sore throat and fever are the most common symptoms during pregnancy.

This may be a sign of ARVI or influenza, for example: treatment depends on the specific diagnosis. In any case, drinking plenty of warm water is a double blow; it not only provokes sweating, but also relieves unpleasant pain syndromes. Remember that if the pain is sharp, acute, this may be a symptom of a sore throat, and, as you know, it can only be treated with antibiotics.

In any case, a sore throat, even at a temperature of 37.5 during pregnancy, indicates that you need to urgently go to the doctor and start treatment as early as possible, otherwise you can earn yourself significant complications. Gargling with soda, salt and iodine, for example, helps very well - if you do this regularly and do not stop at the first signs of improvement, you can significantly alleviate your condition.

Often a sore throat is accompanied by a cough, and the baby in the tummy can be extremely uncomfortable from such tremors. And again, warm drink comes to the rescue - this is such a multifunctional and at the same time accessible weapon to everyone! E. O. Komarovsky classifies medications designed to thin sputum as drugs with unproven effectiveness, but most of them should not be taken during pregnancy, so think carefully before buying any of them.

You should also know that if a high temperature during pregnancy lasts a week, then this cannot be called the norm, since a number of complications may arise, with which the pregnancy will be much more difficult.

High temperature during pregnancy: let's summarize

Now you know what an increase in temperature during pregnancy means, when and how to deal with it in a way that is safe for the baby and the expectant mother. This does not mean that you can now self-medicate - only a doctor will tell you the correct diagnosis and treatment after an examination, you may have to undergo some tests - each case is individual, and the body of a pregnant woman is completely unpredictable.

Be that as it may, of course, it is better for the expectant mother not to get sick. To do this, you should avoid large crowds of people, especially during periods of active illness, do not hesitate to wear a mask if someone is coughing nearby, and at the first signs of illness, rather take sick leave and observe bed rest as much as possible. Be healthy and don't get sick!