Fever in early pregnancy - I want to get it checked out but DH says no

[B1ueberry87]

I've recently had a fever of 38.5 degrees celsius (and a Covid test which was negative) and worried that either it hurt my baby or it was a sign of impending miscarriage. I'm so worried about it and I really want to get it checked out, having suffered two miscarriages in the past. I'm not sure how far along I am, my guess is 6-8 weeks.

However, DH says things like 'won't it be too early to even confirm the baby is ok' (no I don't think it would be too early, you can detect a heartbeat from 6 weeks) and 'well if you go and catch coronavirus at the hospital and I die then you'll be alone'. He doesn't think I should go obviously.

I feel awful as I have no one to talk to about any of this. I strongly feel that it's my body and my decision if I want to go to hospital to get checked out. But of course I know that it's currently the height of the pandemic in London right now and there is a risk that I could catch coronavirus in the hospital and spread it to other people.

Am I being unreasonable? What should I do?

Could you call 111? If you're worried don't sit on it

It's just a fever. Fevers are very common and happen all the time. Indeed it's normal to get more mild bugs in pregnancy because you're slightly immunosuppressed.

Fevers have nothing whatsoever to do with miscarriage and won't harm the foetus.

You had a Covid test which is the only action that would really be advised right now. You don't need to do anything, except possibly consider whether the real issue is anxiety, because your reaction is fairly excessive.

It's unlikely they'll see you at a hospital without heavy bleeding or if they haven't already agreed to an early scan. You can go private but at that stage you aren't guaranteed to see a heartbeat and it can cause extra worry.

A fever in the first trimester is dangerous and can cause complications. It’s important that you bring it under control, is it coming down with paracetamol? I would call your gp or early pregnancy unit and look for advice as if it’s not covid it’s important to treat the cause. Honestly with a fever they may not even allow you in to the hospital right now but call them and they will give you the best advice

@3rdtimelucky2019

It's unlikely they'll see you at a hospital without heavy bleeding or if they haven't already agreed to an early scan. You can go private but at that stage you aren't guaranteed to see a heartbeat and it can cause extra worry.

This.

I know you want to get checked but it's unlikely they'll see you to check the baby. You can always call your GP or midwife if you want reassurance but I expect you'll just be given advice to manage it at home.

I can’t see that the hospital would do anything after just having a fever; it can be hard enough to get an early scan after a bleeding. I definitely wouldn’t be going to a&e but you could call your GP or midwife for their view.
The other option is a private scan which is probably the only way to get real reassurance

@B1ueberry87 I would call 111 for advice, they may advise you to take paracetamol to bring the fever down and drink plenty of fluids, but I wouldn’t do anything until you’ve had advice on how best to deal with this x

"I strongly feel that it's my body and my decision if I want to go to hospital to get checked out."

Absolutely this.

The likelihood is it will be fine and they wont be able to tell you much this early on apart from reassurance (if they will get you in at all) but at the end of the day 'Husband says no' should not be a thing in this day and age, especially for things concerning your own body and health.

OP, you need to get the fever down. Have you been taking paracetamol? Fever's in early pregnancy can cause problems so your DH is giving you bad advice.

Firstly, have you ordered a Covid test? Secondly, can you call your GP as you should check it's not being caused by a UTI (which are common in pregnancy).

Sorry, meant to add I don't think you should go to hospital. Sounds likes a GP issue to start with.

Yep GP, midwife or 111 to start with, definitely don't go straight to hospital. They'll suggest paracetamol and fluids in the first instance most likely.

Do you still have the fever? Any other symptoms of anything else?

Definitely contact your midwife or GP, or call 111 if easier. Don't go straight to hospital as I can kind of see your DH's POV about going to the hospital with covid and etc, but you definitely shouldn't sit on having a fever in your first trimester and you should seek some kind of medical advice.

As PPs have said, I assume they will likely suggest paracetamol to bring your temp down and lots of fluids.

Always go with your gut instinct when it comes to pregnancy and feeling like things aren't right / you should get checked. It will put your mind at ease to always say something and get checked. I've learned that midwives especially will always rather you raised things with them, even if it turns out to be nothing, they are there to help you

If you go to hospital, you are putting yourself at an increased risk of catching Covid, for no good reason, as they are unlikely to scan your, and even if they did, there's very little they could do if your pregnancy was in peril at this stage because of a fever. And fevers and mild bugs are very common in pregnancy. I think you husband is right here, and tbh the NHS is under so much stress at that moment that it's unlikely to scan your just for reassurance when there is no clinical need.

I hope your feel better soon.

I think you are both having extreme reactions. A fever is not normally something to be too worried about if it's not going on for days or getting too high. If it doesn't subside I would certainly be calling the NHS helpline or GP but rushing into the hospital seems excessive and it's very unlikely they'd do anything.

Similarly, your DH's attitude that you going to the hospital means you're going to get Covid and die and leave him all alone is a little hardcore.

Do you both suffer with some anxiety?

The hospital won't see you due to a fever. If you want a private scan you can book one but I'd advise waiting until you're fever free.

Your husband is right, hospital isn't the right place. I don't think they can even check for one of the illnesses than can cause issues in pregnancy, as it was only a fever, and no rash etc. Basically what can be checked?

Didn't realise you hadn't had a scan yet and are concerned the baby is viable? Private scan maybe?

I understand why you’re worried but you can’t go to hospital with a temperature of 38.5. Take ibuprofen to reduce the fever and drink plenty of fluids / get plenty of rest.

I think you are both right. You are right that high temperature may have a connection with miscarriage, but if any this is high fever for a prolonged period of time, and your temperature was quite low. He is right that there isn’t much point getting checked out for it considering that you could catch Covid and worsen the situation. You can control fever with paracetamol. Seeing a heartbeat is nice but isn’t a guarantee of anything.

I can see his point of view to be honest, there is a big risk of you picking up covid if you go to A&E (or passing it on, the tests aren’t 100% accurate) and it isn’t clear if you need any medical assistance?
If you want a scan to see if the pregnancy is viable then you can get this done privately but it’s not the sort of thing available on the NHS even in normal times unless there’s important info you’ve missed out.
Of course if you have ongoing fevers which won’t come down with paracetamol and you’re feeling unwell then do ring your midwife / GP / 111 for advice.

I'd call your GP. My experience of calling NHS111 is that they are incredibly risk averse and have recommended me going to A&E every time I've called them. Your GP should be able to advise you. Midwife pretty much always tells me to call the GP anyway even for PG related stuff like cholestasis - the MW apparently isn't an expert (like the GP is!)

I have had a lot of hospital appointments during COVID (miscarriage followed by another pregnancy and lots of blood tests for various reasons). I would say that if you do actually NEED to go I didn't find it that scary, at least at my local hospital. They are being really careful to keep COVID patients separate, social distancing is actually enforced and because you have to go on your own and everyone is avoiding it there are a lot fewer people there (the corridors are pretty empty and car parking is a breeze) and there's sanitiser absolutely everywhere. I'm not saying they aren't under pressure - they definitely are - or that there is no risk, because there is, but I felt safer in the hospital than in the supermarket. Except at the blood test centre - that is a mess with too many people and I always take gloves and my own sanitiser and am extra careful to not touch anything at all!