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• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Lower a fever when you are pregnant
• Method 2 of 2: Know the common causes of fever during pregnancy
• Tips
• Warnings

Fever is your body's normal defense mechanism against infection or injury; however, if the fever persists for a longer period of time, it can have a harmful effect on you and your unborn baby. You can usually treat a mild fever at home. However, contact your doctor right away if you do not know how to treat the fever or if you suspect that something serious may be going on.

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Method 1 of 2: Lower a fever when you are pregnant

1. Consult your doctor or midwife. It is always important to speak with your doctor or midwife first to tell him / her the symptoms and to make sure there is nothing to worry about. Your doctor can also find the underlying cause of the fever and treat it instead of just treating the symptom.
   • Some common causes of fever during pregnancy are the common cold, flu, food poisoning and cystitis (see the next section for more details).
   • Don't wait to call your doctor if the fever is accompanied by other symptoms such as a rash, nausea, contractions, or stomach pain.
   • Go to the hospital if you have a fever and your water breaks.
   • Contact your doctor if the fever does not improve after 24 to 36 hours, or immediately if you have a fever over 38ºC.
   • Persistent fever can have a harmful effect on the baby and increase the risk of miscarriage. If you cannot get the fever down, contact your doctor or midwife for further instructions.
   • Unless your doctor has advised you otherwise, you can try the following steps to lower the fever.
2. Take a lukewarm bath. A bath or shower is an effective way to lower a fever. That's because your body temperature drops as the water evaporates on your skin.
   • Do not use cold water, as it can cause shivering, which actually increases your body temperature.
   • Do not put cleaning alcohol in the bath water, as the vapor that comes from it can be harmful.
3. Place a cold, wet washcloth on your forehead. One way to reduce a fever is to put a cold, damp washcloth on your forehead. This removes heat from your body and lowers your body temperature.
   • Another way to bring the fever down is to use a ceiling or standing fan to cool your body. Sit or lie under a fan. Set it on a low setting so that it does not get too cold.
4. Drink a lot. It is important to keep your body well hydrated and to replenish the water you lose when you have a fever.
   • Drinking water keeps your body hydrated, and it also cools your body from within.
   • Eat warm broth or chicken soup so that you get extra moisture.
   • Drink drinks that are high in vitamin C, such as orange juice, or put some lemon juice in your water.
   • You can also try electrolyte sports drinks to replenish lost minerals and glucose.
5. Get plenty of rest. Most of the time, a fever is your body's normal response to fighting an infection. That is why it is important that you get enough rest so that your immune system can do its job properly.
   • Stay in bed and avoid excessive tension or activity.
   • If you are dizzy, it is important to lie down and not move too much to avoid falling.
6. Only wear one layer of clothing. Don't dress too thickly when you are pregnant, especially if you have a fever. Wearing multiple layers of clothing can cause you to overheat. If your body temperature remains elevated, it can lead to heat stroke or even premature labor.
   • Only put on one layer of light, breathable fabric, such as cotton, which ensures good air circulation.
   • Use a sheet or thin blanket to cover yourself, but only when necessary.
7. Remember to take special vitamins for pregnant women. Special multivitamins for pregnant women strengthen your immune system and keep the vitamins and minerals in your body in balance.
   • Take your multivitamins with plenty of water during a meal.
8. Take medicine to lower the fever. Ask your doctor or midwife if it is safe to take a fever reducer, such as acetaminophen. Paracetamol can be used to lower a fever and may help you feel a little better while your body fights the underlying cause of the fever.
   • Paracetamol is usually safe to take by pregnant women; however, never take it in combination with caffeine (as with migraine pills).
   • Do not take aspirin or anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) while you are pregnant. These drugs can affect your baby's development. If you are unsure about what to take or not to take, ask your doctor.
   • If the fever doesn't get lower with acetaminophen, contact your doctor or midwife immediately.
9. Do not take homeopathic remedies. Always talk to your doctor or midwife before taking any homeopathic or over-the-counter remedies as some remedies can affect your baby.
   • This also applies to large amounts of vitamins, Echinacea or other homeopathic remedies.

Method 2 of 2: Know the common causes of fever during pregnancy

1. Determine if you are experiencing cold symptoms. A viral cold, also known as an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, is a common cause of fever during pregnancy. Most of us have a cold from time to time, but because your immune system is weakened when you are pregnant, the risk of catching a cold is higher.
   • The symptoms are usually mild and include fever (38ºC or higher), chills, runny nose, sore throat, muscle pain and cough.
   • Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics and usually clear up on their own once your immune system has fought off the virus.
   • Drink enough and try the home remedies mentioned in the first section to lower the fever and make you feel better.
   • If you don't feel better after 3-4 days or if symptoms get worse, call your doctor or midwife.
2. Recognize flu symptoms. Like the common cold, the flu (influenza) is a viral illness that causes upper respiratory symptoms. However, the symptoms of the flu are usually worse than those of the common cold.
   • Flu symptoms include chills, fever (38ºC or higher), fatigue, headache, runny nose, cough, muscle pain, vomiting and nausea.
   • If you suspect you have the flu while you are pregnant, you should seek immediate medical attention.
   • There is no specific treatment for influenza, except for treating the symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe antiviral drugs to help clear up the disease more quickly and reduce the risk of complications. However, antivirals are rarely prescribed to pregnant women with the flu, because it is uncertain what the risks of these types of drugs are for women and their children.
   • Stay at home and get plenty of fluids and rest. Follow the steps in the first section to lower the fever and feel a little better.
3. Know the symptoms of a bladder infection. Another possible cause of fever during pregnancy is cystitis, which is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract (the urethra, ureters, kidneys and / or bladder).
   • A bladder infection occurs when bacteria have entered the urethra and caused an infection.
   • Symptoms of a bladder infection include fever, urge to urinate, burning sensation when you urinate, brown urine and pelvic pain.
   • You can treat cystitis effectively with certain antibiotics, so it is important to contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms.
   • You can also try cranberry juice, although it has not been scientifically proven to help treat cystitis.
   • If you don't treat it, you run the risk of complications for yourself (a kidney infection) or your baby, such as low birth weight, premature birth, septicemia, breathing difficulties and even death.
4. Recognize the signs of stomach flu. If your fever is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea, you may have stomach flu (gastroenteritis), which is usually caused by a virus.
   • Symptoms of stomach flu include fever, diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and headache.
   • There is no treatment for stomach flu, but luckily it usually clears up on its own. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and take steps to lower the fever.
   • If you cannot keep fluids in for more than 24 hours, if you have blood in your vomit, or if your fever is above 38.5ºC, get immediate medical attention.
   • The most dangerous complication of stomach flu is dehydration. If you are severely dehydrated, you can go into labor and even give birth prematurely. That's why it's important to contact your doctor or go to the hospital right away if you experience severe diarrhea and vomiting and are unable to keep fluid down.
5. Know the symptoms of listeriosis. Pregnant women with a weakened immune system are more at risk of a bacterial infection called listeriosis.
   • This infection can be transmitted by animals, food, or soil contaminated with this bacteria.
   • Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle pain, diarrhea and fatigue.
   • Listeriosis can be very dangerous for the baby and the mother if left untreated and can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or premature birth.
   • If you suspect you have listeriosis, contact your doctor immediately to initiate antibiotic treatment.

Tips

• If you have a sore throat, gargle with salt water to relieve the pain. Use 240 ml of warm water and 1 teaspoon of salt for this.
• If you have a blocked cavity or nasal congestion headache, a nasal rinse or saline solution can help. You can also use a humidifier to relieve these symptoms.
• If you have a fever, pay attention to any other symptoms you experience so your doctor or midwife can determine the cause of the fever.

Warnings

• Always consult your doctor if you have a fever while pregnant. A temperature above 38ºC can be dangerous for you and your baby. A high fever can increase the risk of miscarriage or birth defect, especially early in pregnancy.
• If the fever lasts for more than 24 to 36 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, rash, pain, dehydration, trouble breathing, or fits, contact your doctor.