How to Treat Fever Naturally During Pregnancy
Fever during pregnancy can be caused by various things. Fever during pregnancy can subside on its own or be relieved by taking medicines prescribed by a doctor. However, apart from that, you can also try how to treat fever naturally during pregnancy at home.
Fever during pregnancy is a sign or symptom of an infection in the body. If a fever during pregnancy occurs in the first trimester with a temperature reaching 38 degrees Celsius or more, then you should immediately check with your obstetrician.
Dangers of Fever during Pregnancy
When you have a fever during pregnancy you should not take it lightly. That's because when your body temperature rises, the fetal body temperature will also rise. This is what can cause the heart rate of your fetus in the womb to increase.
If fever during pregnancy is not treated immediately, it can increase the risk of having a miscarriage and birth defects, such as heart defects, neural tube abnormalities, or cleft lip and mouth. The higher the fever temperature and the longer the fever lasts during pregnancy, the higher the risk of these things.
Causes of Fever during Pregnancy
Some conditions that can cause fever during pregnancy include the following:
- Infections, such as urinary tract infections, influenza, pneumonia and toxoplasmosis
- Digestive disorders, such as diarrhea
- Amniotic infection (chorioamnionitis)
- Tonsillitis
- Food poisoning
- Encephalitis
Each cause of the fever has its own characteristic symptoms. Therefore, it is important for those of you who are currently pregnant to pay attention to other symptoms that accompany fever, such as chills, weakness, stiff neck, back pain, abdominal pain, to shortness of breath. Make sure you tell your doctor about your symptoms.
How to Reduce Fever in Pregnancy Naturally
Although fever during pregnancy is possible to recover on its own, fever during pregnancy still needs to be checked by a doctor.
Fever during pregnancy caused by a virus can be treated by drinking more water, getting enough rest, or taking medication from a doctor. However, if the cause of fever during pregnancy is bacteria, it needs to be treated with antibiotics.
In addition, it should also be noted that during pregnancy, you are not recommended to take medicines carelessly, including medicine to relieve fever, such as ibuprofen or aspirin. So, you should ask your doctor what fever medicine is safe for you to take during pregnancy.
In addition to treatment from a doctor, you can use the following natural ways to help relieve fever during pregnancy:
- Compress the forehead and body using a cloth or towel that has been covered with plain water.
- Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration and to cool the body from within.
- It's best to take a warm bath and don't take a cold shower, because it can make your body shiver.
- Wear clothes that can absorb sweat and are not too thick.
- Try to be in a cool or shady room.
- If it feels cold use a thin blanket and if it feels hot remove the blanket.
To prevent fever during pregnancy, you should wash your hands frequently to prevent viral or bacterial infections. Also try not to be near people who are sick.
In addition to trying how to treat fever naturally during pregnancy, you also need to see a doctor. This is because fever during pregnancy can be caused by many things. When consulting with a doctor, ask questions about pregnancy information, including what types of medicines are safe to take during pregnancy. Do not take any medicine without the advice of a doctor, because not all medicines are safe for consumption during pregnancy.
