fever and pregnancy

[chickagirl]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone out there can make me feel a little less stressed...

I'm almost 12wks pregnant. On Sunday afternoon, I developed a temp (around 38.2) In a nutshell, I took paracetamol regularly to lower it over the rest of the day, but it just never went down and actually continued to steadily rise until mid yesterday afternoon when it hit 39.3. I went to the GP's and he said just keep your fluids up and keep taking paracetamol.

Luckily today my temp is back to normal, but it was very high for about 24hrs. I am SO worried that it will have damaged my growing bubs as I'm so aware how important it is to keep your temp normal (ie no hot baths, not exercising to exhaustion due to core temp increasing) I feel as though I have been through the equivalent of sitting in a hot bath for 24hrs.

Has anyone else been through a high fever while pregnant?

I'm stressing out here...your thoughts would be appreciated. :thumbsdown:

Thanks

[Ky]

Hey Honey ...

I have had two very different experiences of fever in pregnancy and as a result, I would always get myself checked out if I can't lower it myself within a few hours.

My first experience ended in tragedy. It was pretty unusual and will by no means happen to you. I developed bi-lateral pneumonia which the doc (not mine, I was on holiday in NZ)diagnosed as the flu and sent me home with paracetamol for the fever and codiene for the pain. I was extremely unwell for several days and finally got my dh to take me to emergency by which time I was fighting for my life with temps of 40.5 and over, organ failure and had started spotting. I was 11 weeks pg and at the time they concentrated on getting me well before they scanned bub. I had an ultrasound a few days later when I could finally lie flat and bub had died a couple of days before.

My second experience was this pregnancy at 8 weeks. I had a viral chest infection which both of my kids had and could not control my fever. The kids seemed to be struggling through ok, but I was having increasing shortness of breath, so I drove myself to emergency (really dumb move - had to keep stopping to vomit!) and ended up staying in hospital for a couple of weeks.

I was incredibly scared both times but I know that there was nothing I could do more either time.

It sounds like you are going to be pretty much ok, but if you are really worried, push and push for further tests, an early ultrasound - anything to ease your mind. The biggest thing bub needs now is a mum who is good health and feeling as little stress as possible.

I have found that the staff in our local emergency department are incredibly helpful and sympathetic (we have no after hours medical centres here) and will tell you straight if there is nothing to worry about.

Take care of yourself and keep up your fluids etc. It sounds like you are being very sensible - keep up the great work, mum! :hugs:

[chickagirl]

Thankyou Elias for your honest reply, I really appreciate it. I hope this pregnancy is progressing well for you and you stay away from the high temps....
BTW - I have my NT scan on Monday and obs appointment next Wed, so I will actually (coincidentally) have 2 scans next week which I hope will quash my fears...
Thanks again :)

[angelickaren]

how did your scan go are you feeling better now i hope so i been sick all weekend too hope all is well:fingerscrossed:

[Ky]

Ooooh yes .... please let us know how your scan went!

:hugs:

[chickagirl]

Hi Elias and angelickaren,
Sorry for not answering earlier...but I did go for my NT scan during the week and found out I'd had a missed miscarriage (about 4wks prior to high temp so just coincidental to fever though)
Had the D&C, now just trying to work out where to go from here....not a nice time.
Best of luck to you both and thanks for your concern.

[Ky]

Hey Honey :hugs: :hugs: :hugs:

It's a pretty horrible thing to be going through ... know that there are those of us who know a bit of how you are feeling and feel free to ramble on, whinge, cry, rant etc ... we will listen, encourage, empathise, cry with you and never, ever discount how you are feeling.

take care, take time for yourself, allow yourself to heal - doesn't matter how slow the process and most of all ... know that bub is safe in the arms of God and that there is a future for you that is sure to hold pure joy some day soon.

Big hugs, love and prayers ... Ky

[chickagirl]

Hi Elias,
Thankyou for your supportive words...I just feel so confused and lost now. This was to be bubs no.2, so I'm just trying to carry on for our little girl and my hubby right now....
Thanks again, your kind words mean a lot to me :gloomy:

[Manxie]

Chickagirl

I am so sorry to hear of your loss:hugs: If you ever feel in need of some love and support from other mums who have recently been through miscarriage come and join us in the "support after pregnancy loss" thread. Unfortunately there are a lot of us in there :(

Take care of yourself :hugs: