Fever during pregnancy

Fever during pregnancy
Fever during pregnancy should be monitored closely, even if it is mild. In some cases, it’s best to consult a health care professional.


A fever is defined as an above-normal body temperature, or any temperature higher than 38°C. Fever during pregnancy is usually a sign of infection (e.g., urinary tract infection, listeriosis, fifth disease, measles, cold, flu).

Can a fever be dangerous for the fetus?

During pregnancy, even a mild fever should be monitored closely. A low-grade fever lasting more than 24 hours or a fever of 38.5°C or higher can be harmful to the pregnancy, as it may indicate an infection. Infections are a common cause of preterm birth.

According to several studies, fever during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, is linked to a risk of birth defects. However, as other studies have reported different results, the current state of research doesn’t allow us to determine whether the two are actually related.
Moreover, scientists aren’t sure whether the risk of birth defects is due to the increase in the mother’s body temperature or the underlying infection.

Should I consult a doctor if I have a fever?

It’s best to consult a doctor in the following cases:

  • You have a fever, even if it’s mild, and no symptoms that might suggest you have a cold.
  • Your fever is related to a cold and lasts more than 24 hours (oral temperature of 38°C–38.4°C).
  • Your oral temperature (taken twice) is 38.5°C or higher.
  • You’re experiencing severe chills.
  • You’re showing signs of dehydration (e.g., intense thirst, dark urine and decreased urine output).
  • You have a fever and notice that your vaginal secretions have increased or have a bad smell.
  • You have a fever and a chronic condition (e.g., diabetes, asthma).
  • You have a fever and notice a decrease in your baby’s movements.

When in doubt, call Info-Santé (811) or contact your health care provider. You can also consult your pharmacist. If you are more than 16–20 weeks pregnant, you can also call the obstetrics department of the hospital where you plan to give birth.

How do you treat a low-grade fever?

If the fever is caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. If a virus is to blame, you’ll most likely have to wait for the infection to heal on its own. Either way, it’s important to stay hydrated.

You can also take acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol®, Atasol®) to bring your fever down.That said, you should avoid taking ibuprofen (e.g., Advil®, Motrin®) without first discussing it with the health care professional who’s following your pregnancy, as it isn’t safe to take ibuprofen for the entire length of your pregnancy. In fact, taking ibuprofen during the first few weeks may be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, and taking it during the third trimester could damage to your baby’s kidneys and heart.

Is it possible to prevent fever during pregnancy?

The best way to prevent fever is to avoid infections. Effective preventive measures include the following:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick whenever possible.
  • Get the flu shot.

Fever and COVID-19

Given the high rate of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 due to the pandemic, it may be wise to get tested for COVID-19 if you have a fever. To find out whether you should get tested, use the COVID-19 Symptom Self-Assessment Tool or call 1-877-644-4545.

Things to keep in mind

  • Fever during pregnancy is often a sign of infection.
  • It’s usually a good idea to consult a doctor to determine what’s causing the fever and how to treat it.
  • Acetaminophen can be used to bring down a fever during pregnancy.

 

Naître et grandir

Scientific review: Dr. Chantal Ouellet, family doctor
Research and copywriting: The Naître et grandir team
Updated: September 2021

 

Photo: 123rf.com/Iakov Filimonov

 

Sources

Please note that hyperlinks to other websites are not updated regularly, and some may have changed since publication. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. If a link is no longer valid, use search engines to find the relevant information.

  • Doré, Nicole, and Danielle Le Hénaff. From Tiny Tot to Toddler: A practical guide for parents from pregnancy to age two. Quebec City, Institut national de santé publique du Québec. www.inspq.qc
  • Girard, Bénédicte, and Michel Dreyfus. “Fièvre et grossesse.” Journal de gynécologie obstétrique et biologie de la reproduction, vol. 37, no. HS1, March 2008, pp. 41–48.
  • Healthline. “Can a fever during pregnancy harm my baby?” www.healthline.com
  • Healthwise. “Fever during pregnancy.” www.healthlinkbc.ca
  • Ladewig, Patricia, et al. Maternal & Child Nursing Care. 3rd ed., Upper Saddle River, Prentice Hall, 2011, 2,016 pp.
  • Medical News Today. “What to know about fever during pregnancy.” www.medicalnewstoday.com

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