ᐉ High temperature in the first trimester of pregnancy. What body temperature can be in the early stages of pregnancy

Why does the temperature rise?

The processes that occur in the female body after conception has taken place are multifaceted and complex. And if for a healthy adult a temperature in the range of 36.2-36.9 degrees is considered normal, then for a completely healthy pregnant woman a temperature above 37.0 degrees may be a normal option . This is especially true in the initial stages.

In the 1st trimester, the hormone progesterone “fuels” all processes; it is its high concentrations that ensure the softening of the uterine muscles and prevent the onset of the next menstruation. And it is progesterone that in the first weeks of gestation can cause incomprehensible, completely inexplicable surges in body temperature.

A physiological increase in temperature always occurs within subfebrile values - from 37.0 to 37.8 degrees. This temperature usually rises in the afternoon, for some - only in the evenings. There are no other painful symptoms. When the temperature rises to this level, a woman may experience slight chills or feel that she is “thrown” from hot to cold and vice versa; her cheeks and ears may burn. In the morning, the elevated evening temperature usually leaves no trace - the woman feels completely healthy.

With such a temperature, you do not need to see a doctor; there is no need for treatment either.

The thermometer stops rising above 37.0 degrees after the pregnant woman’s body fully adapts to the new hormonal levels, usually this happens in the first 6-8 weeks, less often an episodic increase in temperature persists until the end of the first trimester - up to 12-13 weeks of pregnancy.

At this point, the natural and harmless causes of elevated temperature are exhausted and less rosy situations begin. Progesterone suppresses women's immunity, this is necessary in order to ensure the continuation of pregnancy, because aggressive immune cells can destroy the embryo, identifying 50% of foreign genetic material (paternal genes) in it. Against the background of decreased immunity, a woman becomes more vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Therefore, the appearance of high temperature in the first trimester is often associated with infectious diseases.

A distinctive feature of this temperature will be its values - with influenza the thermometer rises above 39.0 degrees, with ARVI - above 38.0 degrees.

Other symptoms of the disease will certainly be present:

cough;
a sore throat;
increased flow of mucus from the nose, congestion;
headaches and muscle pain;
photosensitivity;
feeling of pressure on the eyeballs.

With a high temperature comes infectious diseases that are dangerous for the pregnant woman and especially for the baby: measles, chicken pox, rubella.

If high fever is combined with vomiting and intestinal dysfunction, an intestinal infection may be suspected.

Impaired urination, pain, frequent trips to the toilet for “minor needs”, changes in the color and transparency of urine against a background of high temperature can serve as signs of ordinary or gestational pyelonephritis. In rare cases, an increase in temperature (to subfebrile levels) accompanies allergic reactions.

In any case, with the exception of a physiological wave-like increase in temperature due to progesterone, the woman should consult a doctor. It is best to call a specialist to your home, since no one has yet denied the possibility of a contagious infection. The doctor who should be invited to your home must be a general practitioner. It is unreasonable to raise this issue with the gynecologist managing your pregnancy. Each medical specialist has his own area of expertise, and it will be better if you are examined by a general practitioner.

Is it dangerous?

Hyperthermia in the first trimester of pregnancy is very dangerous. It can disrupt the blood circulation between the mother and the embryo, causing serious disruptions in the functioning of the chorion or the young placenta, which replaces it by the end of the first trimester. But the main danger lies not so much in the temperature itself, but in the reason that caused its increase.

During the period of organogenesis, which occurs during the first three months, the impact of viruses on the child’s body can lead to catastrophic consequences . The baby is still weakly protected by the young placenta or not protected at all, and therefore all the viruses that penetrate the mother’s systemic bloodstream will also reach the embryo.

The viral effect consists of integration into the cell of the human body. The cell begins to work not according to the program embedded in it, but to meet the needs of the virus, and then simply dies. If this happens to the cells of the embryo, from which its internal organs and tissues are now being formed, then this can lead to a wide variety of developmental defects, sometimes incompatible with life and further intrauterine development. Bacteria and fungi are no less dangerous for the developing fetus.

When a high temperature persists for a long time, the processes of protein synthesis begin to be disrupted, which has a detrimental effect on the processes of placentation - the formation of the “baby place” proceeds with disturbances, which can also lead either to the death of the fetus, or to the fact that the formed placenta will not be able to meet all the needs of the child’s body in protection, nutrition, oxygen supply, which is fraught with hypoxia, miscarriage, developmental delay, and premature birth.

It is impossible to assess the effects of temperature in advance. Much depends on the exact duration of pregnancy . So, if the disease occurs to a woman at 3-5 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s heart and nervous system may suffer, and there may be defects in the formation of the gonads. An infectious attack and hyperthermia after 7 weeks increases the likelihood of mental retardation and central nervous system defects, since at this time the differentiation of parts of the fetal brain occurs.

The consequence of prolonged high temperature with a viral or severe bacterial systemic lesion can be microcephaly (reduction in the volume of the fetal brain), muscle hypotonia, defects of the facial structures, impaired development of the limbs from the fusion of the fingers (syndactyly) to their complete absence.

It is very important to understand that the virus is different from the virus . The causative agent of rubella is very aggressive, it quickly penetrates the bloodstream and mercilessly disfigures the child, while most pathogens of ARVI (respiratory infections, commonly called colds) do not have such an aggressive effect. That is why, after suffering from rubella or toxoplasmosis in the early stages, doctors recommend terminating the pregnancy, but after ARVI, such recommendations are usually not made.

What body temperature is considered normal during pregnancy?

Often, an increase in body temperature (up to 37.2 degrees) is observed in the first months of pregnancy. In some cases, such indicators can last throughout the entire nine months of gestation. Doctors do not attribute this phenomenon to pathology, but explain such deviations from the norm as a natural physiological process that occurs during pregnancy.

Two main reasons can influence an increase in temperature indicators:

Active production of progesterone, which affects the thermoregulation center.
During pregnancy, all women's immune systems weaken and immunosuppression occurs. In this way, the fetus is protected from unwanted rejection.

Increased body temperature during pregnancy

Unfortunately, women during pregnancy are not immune from various diseases and pathologies, so an increase in temperature can signal any health problems and threaten the unborn child.

If a woman’s thermometer shows no higher than 37.2 degrees in position, and there are no other symptoms, then the increase in temperature does not pose a danger to the expectant mother and her baby. But if there is a significant increase, the pregnant woman needs to visit a doctor and undergo a clinical examination to find out the reason for such indicators. Do not forget that elevated temperature for several days can significantly harm the course of pregnancy and negatively affect the development of the fetus.

The following factors can trigger this process:

increased uterine tone, which can lead to miscarriage;
placental damage, which may result in pathological disturbances in fetal development;
dysfunction of the cardiovascular system caused by intoxication of the female body;
development of defects in the fetus (especially in the first trimester).

"Hormonal warming"

Many women learn from this symptom that they are pregnant. A slight increase in body temperature may be accompanied by mild malaise, drowsiness, and even nasal congestion in early pregnancy. Often newly pregnant women feel like they are about to get sick, but the condition does not worsen. All these are the first signs of pregnancy, which occur due to hormonal changes in the mother’s body.

From the moment of conception, the female body begins to intensively produce progesterone. It directly affects the thermoregulation center of the brain. As a result, heat transfer decreases, causing the body temperature to rise slightly (the heat simply does not leave it). These changes are first noticed by women planning a pregnancy and measuring their basal temperature.

Low-grade fever during pregnancy most often lasts during the first trimester, then gradually decreases. But there are times when this period is somewhat delayed.

Natural increase in body temperature

In the second half of the menstrual cycle, the temporary secretion gland actively works in a woman’s body. It is formed after the release of the egg and is located on the ovary. This formation is called the corpus luteum. By producing progesterone, the gonads prepare the woman's body for pregnancy. When this hormone increases, muscle tissue relaxes and body temperature naturally rises. There are no signs of illness. Often, women do not notice an increase in temperature in the second phase of the cycle, since they have no reason to measure it.

With the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother begins to monitor her well-being more closely. When a woman accidentally measures her temperature, she discovers that the readings are too high. This condition frightens and makes expectant mothers nervous, which is not very good for the new situation.

Experts unanimously assure that a temperature of 37 in the early stages is a natural process that does not pose a serious threat to the fetus. However, this statement is not true in all cases.

After implantation of the fertilized egg into the lining of the uterus, a woman’s body undergoes dramatic changes. During this period, there is an increase in sensitivity in relation to all environmental factors, so the expectant mother reacts sharply to temperature fluctuations, changes in environmental conditions, as well as other conditions. The thermoregulation of a pregnant woman's body and metabolic processes in her body will now occur differently. At the beginning of gestation, all systems adapt to the new state, so they cannot work in the same smoothly running mode. Anything can cause changes - from internal psychological experiences to weather conditions. At any stage of pregnancy, it is not recommended to stay under the scorching sun for a long time or become hypothermic; you should take care of yourself and your new position.

What is the temperature during early pregnancy?

After the fusion of sperm and egg has occurred, a global restructuring begins in the woman’s body and the hormonal background changes. The level of progesterone increases, which protects the fetus and helps it develop. All organs and systems of the expectant mother’s body adapt to the new position. As a result of hormonal changes, heat transfer slows down. This is the reason why the increase in temperature during pregnancy can reach 37.1 °C. This indicator is normal and should not cause concern in the absence of accompanying symptoms.

Pathological hyperthermia

With the birth of a new life in the mother's womb, the body's resistance decreases. As medical practice shows, every second expectant mother experiences signs of a cold in the first weeks. For most representatives of the fairer sex, recovery occurs within a week without negative consequences. If your body temperature exceeds 37.4, you should definitely seek medical help. The cause of hyperthermia can be various conditions, accompanied by individual clinical manifestations:

acute viral infection or cold - runny nose, sore throat, cough, malaise;
bacterial respiratory tract infection – cough, sore throat, headache, drowsiness;
intestinal infection - stool upset, nausea, lack of appetite, weight loss;
urinary tract infection - discomfort when urinating, abdominal pain, frequent urge to go to the toilet, mucous discharge from the urethra.

Less often, expectant mothers have increased body temperature when affected by parasitic diseases: toxoplasmosis, helminthiasis. Some of them pose a serious danger to this situation. Hyperthermia is also observed in hepatitis, iron deficiency anemia, pathologies of the thyroid gland and the endocrine system as a whole. The reason for the increase in thermometer readings may be oncological diseases, which during the gestation period can enter the phase of active growth.

To ensure her own safety, a woman needs to find out the cause of the elevated temperature. This can only be done with the help of a comprehensive examination.

What are the dangers of fever during pregnancy?

If in the early stages of pregnancy the thermometer readings can normally reach 37.4 degrees, then the second trimester is no longer accompanied by such signs. After 14–16 weeks of pregnancy, the woman’s body’s thermoregulation improves. At this time, the activity of the temporary secretion gland fades, and the placenta takes over its function. Therefore, even a slight increase in temperature should alert the woman and her family members.

When the temperature rises to 38, unfavorable conditions for the embryo to remain in the body are created. Inhibition of metabolic processes leads to the fact that the fetus does not receive enough oxygen.

As a result, hypoxia develops, in which not only the brain of the unborn baby suffers, but also all organs. If this condition persists for a long time, it leads to irreversible consequences for the child.

When the body is intoxicated, there is a risk of placental abruption and internal bleeding, and the culmination of this condition can be death. Prolonged hyperthermia can cause miscarriage or premature birth. If high thermometer readings are noted in the third trimester, when there are several days left before the expected due date, doctors may decide to induce. This appointment is made by the commission if the fetus is full-term and completely ready for life outside the mother’s womb, and further stay in the mother’s body poses a threat to it.

body temperature in the first weeks of pregnancy

The first signs of pregnancy appear 5-10 days after conception.

Many women feel the onset of pregnancy intuitively, even before any noticeable manifestations appear. However, you should not rely entirely on your own intuition. And therefore, we have prepared for you a description of the most common signs of conception, which, as a rule, make themselves felt even before the delay of menstruation.

Toxicosis (nausea, vomiting).

Hormonal changes in the body primarily affect the digestive system. Because of this, the first signs of toxicosis may appear as early as 5-7 days after conception. In rare cases, toxicosis begins within 2-3 days, however, due to the absence of any pronounced symptoms, it is often confused with ordinary food poisoning.

Stomach upset.

It often appears simultaneously with toxicosis, which can cause some discomfort. May be accompanied by severe diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, and flatulence. This is far from the most obvious sign of pregnancy. Occurs less frequently than toxicosis.

Dizziness, sharp decrease in blood pressure.

There are clinical cases where this symptom appeared 1-2 days after conception. The reason also lies in hormonal changes. Women with low blood pressure may even lose consciousness! Sudden attacks of dizziness (especially if you have not suffered from them before) are one of the surest signs of pregnancy.

Change in rectal temperature.

In the first days after conception, the pituitary gland produces a large amount of hormones, which cause a noticeable jump in body temperature. The disadvantage of this sign is that an increase in rectal temperature can only be determined if it is monitored regularly.

General weakness, malaise.

Paradoxical as it may seem, a fertilized egg is actually a foreign object in a woman’s body. And in the first time after fertilization, the body reacts to it as to an ordinary virus - i.e. begins to produce antibodies. It is in the first week after conception that general weakness, malaise, and a slight increase in body temperature are observed.

Increased sensitivity of the breast, enlargement of the nipples, increase in their temperature.

One of the most obvious signs of early pregnancy, also associated with an increase in hormone levels in the blood. Often the sensitivity of the breast increases to the point of pain at the slightest touch. A sign of pregnancy, characteristic of almost all women 2-3 weeks after conception

. Swelling of the limbs.

Usually develops towards the end of the first month of pregnancy. Occurs due to metabolic disorders due to hormonal imbalance. The consumed liquid is practically not removed from the body, remaining in the tissues. Swelling can cause rapid weight gain. If you experience this symptom, you should immediately visit a doctor, as there is a real danger to your health.

Pain in joints, back. The result of changes in the skeleton.

During pregnancy, the pelvic bones change, which can cause severe pain in the first weeks of pregnancy.

Implantation bleeding. Intermenstrual bleeding (depending on individual characteristics, it can be either heavy or scanty).

Appears 7-10 days after conception, when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus.

Fatigue, nervousness, aggressiveness.

A hormonal surge provokes unmotivated aggression and nervousness. Against the background of increased fatigue, this symptom of early pregnancy is often confused with PMS, which is not surprising, since the manifestations are very similar.

However, if the described symptoms occur during a missed period, then you are most likely still pregnant. As we see, hormonal changes in the body begin immediately after fertilization of the egg, and its results appear within a few days after conception.

. And although some of the signs we described are quite specific, many determine the onset of pregnancy only with a significant (usually more than 2 weeks) delay in menstruation. In this case, we recommend not only listening to your body, but also using much more informative and accurate medical methods.

- Pregnancy test.

With a 95% probability, pregnancy is determined by the content of specific hormones in the urine. It is recommended to carry out 2-3 tests at once (preferably from different manufacturers) to eliminate the possibility of error.

— Ultrasound of the pelvic organs.

Based on a number of signs, it allows you to determine pregnancy almost from the first days. It is carried out in a clinic or in a medical center equipped accordingly.

— Blood test for hormones.

By increasing the amount of certain hormones in the blood, it is possible, with a probability close to 100%, to diagnose pregnancy within 1.5-2 weeks after conception.

What to do when the temperature rises?

When the thermometer shows 37 degrees, no action needs to be taken. If there are no signs of illness, you need to calm down and continue to lead your usual lifestyle, but constantly monitor your well-being. If the temperature does not exceed 37.4, there is no reason to panic. If a level of 37.5 or higher is detected on the device, it is necessary to begin taking actions aimed at reducing it.

There are several ways to lower your temperature during pregnancy safely and effectively. For greater effect, you can use them in combination.

Rubbing. Traditional remedies - vinegar, alcohol and vodka - cannot be used by expectant mothers. Toxic substances are absorbed into dry skin and quickly penetrate the bloodstream. Such a procedure can cause intoxication and harm the embryo, especially in the first weeks of development. Therefore, for wiping it is necessary to use clean water, the temperature of which will be several degrees lower than what the thermometer shows.
Drink plenty of fluids. To reduce body temperature, the body needs fluid. By evaporating moisture from the skin, thermoregulation is normalized. If there is not enough moisture in the body, then it has nothing to evaporate. Consequently, intoxication increases, and the thermometer readings increase. To eliminate hyperthermia, you need to drink water. Drinks with a lot of vitamin C have a good effect on the body: various berry fruit drinks, linden tea. The expectant mother needs to be careful with herbal decoctions and not take them without a doctor’s prescription.

Medicines. It is not recommended to take medications on your own at any stage of gestation. However, in a critical situation, when immediate consultation with a doctor is impossible, and the temperature has exceeded 38, you can take paracetamol or any analogue based on it. A single dose for an expectant mother should not exceed 500 mg. In the second trimester, single use of ibuprofen or any structural analogue is allowed, but not more than 200 mg at a time.

If hyperthermia occurs in the evening or at night, it is better to call an ambulance. The team will take the necessary measures to reduce the temperature and, if necessary, take the expectant mother to the department of the nearest hospital.