No, fever in pregnancy does not hurt the baby, nor does it impair the health or development of the fetus, provided it does not exceed 38,5 ° C and is under control.
High fever, above 38.5 ° C or 39 ° C, and prolonged during pregnancy may cause preterm birth or miscarriages, so it is important to know the cause of the fever and monitor body temperature.
Colds can be common in pregnancy and can hardly cause fever. However, if it is a the flu, the situation is different because there is likely to be fever and it can reach the 40 ° C if not controlled.
During the feverish state or in the presence of inflammation, the body releases substances called prostaglandins, which can cause uterine contractions and cause miscarriages (especially in early pregnancy) and premature births (at the end of gestation).
It is also important to remember that fever is a sign of infection and any infection during pregnancy should be diagnosed and treated to avoid complications for the mother and the baby.
What to do in case of fever in pregnancy?
Tell your obstetrician whenever you have a fever during gestation, even if it is a low fever.
If the fever 38 ° C, search medical care. Do not let fever rise and stay high.
Some measures that can help control fever and lower body temperature, if the fever is not too high:
- Take a bath with water at room temperature (water should not be icy, otherwise it may make the picture worse);
- Remove excess clothing;
- Drink a lot of water;
- Rest as long as necessary, even after the fever subsides.
Talk to your obstetrician if you have a fever and do not take any medicine without medical advice.
It is important to remember that even the paracetamol may cause respiratory problems in baby after delivery if overdosed or over-the-counter. Therefore, never self-medicate during pregnancy.
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