Fever at 5 weeks pregnant

[Roro2021]

I've had a fever for the last 36 hours. It peaked at 38.5 last night. I rang the doctor who just told me to get a PCR covid test. This was so not helpful. I'm panicking because at 28 days post conception which I'm there about that's when the neural tube closes. I know a fever puts the baby at a higher risk of developing spinabifida and I'm absolutely distraught that no medical professionals are helping me or care. The midwife said ride it out. I dont even know what I'm asking for here, I suppose some stories for reassurance. Did anyone have a high fever 5/6 weeks pregnant and everything turned out OK? I cant bare to think my body is causing harm to my baby, something that will inhibit them for the rest of their life. I cant get my temp down with paracetamol or cold flannels. Pretty sure through the night I almost cooked the fetus. My skin was soo hot to touch.

38.5 isn’t a particularly high fever. You’ll be fine.

Agreed - don't worry too much. Take paracetamol. 39 degrees is the lower limit of concern for overheating. Try not to worry and do get the PCR test. I hope you feel better soon.

I had a 38.5 fever in early pregnancy and now have a perfectly healthy 14 month old.

I managed to get it down with paracetamol.

I think you can take 2 x 500 mg tablets paracetamol every 4-6 hours, 4 times a day during pregnancy.

Can you try again? xx

Thank you for the reassurance all. My temp is coming down.

I’ve got this too, just waiting outside the drs I fed up with everything being get a covid test!!

The doctors don't want to know. I'm so frustrated and worried. It's such a crucial time of development and they're so focused on covid. I've still got a temp. I'm wondering if I'm not being pushy enough with them. I don't know what to do. I just feel like I'm sitting here letting the damage occur.

I mean this in the nicest way but I don't know what you want them to do? They're right to tell you to go for a PCR test.

Have you tried ringing 111 and asking if there is a covid secure doctor in hospital you can go see locally ? My little boy was poorly a few months ago doctors refused to see us and I ended up getting really upset on phone to 111, she rang my GP herself as said they should be refusing treatment now they have the PPE but they still refused, home visit service there was a 2 week wait so they send me to one of the minor hospitals where they had a separate entrance for any one they had concerns over with covid

Mummyh2016 Why do I need to take a pcr test? The diagnosis is not something I care about. It's the fact a temp 28 days after conception can cause birth defects and no health professionals are giving me any advice. The damage is probably done.

You either take a PCR test or isolate for 10 days. I would rather do the PCR test.

Other then tell you to take paracetamol there is nothing else a doctor can do. Don’t try to make yourself cold because you will start shivering which will just increase your core temperature.

@Roro2021

Mummyh2016 Why do I need to take a pcr test? The diagnosis is not something I care about. It's the fact a temp 28 days after conception can cause birth defects and no health professionals are giving me any advice. The damage is probably done.

Because you are advised to take a PCR test if you have a high temperature, a new continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of taste/smell. What do you want the doctor to do? Send you to hospital? I'm trying to word this in a way not to upset you or worry you but you're 5 weeks pregnant, if something was to happen they couldn't do anything anyway. I'm 23 weeks and there is nothing they could do for me either until I turn 24 weeks either if something happened. Are you poorly, or is it just the high temperature that you are worrying about?

I understand you being worried- because early pregnancy is one huge worry- but really, this isn’t the problem you think it is. Many, many people have fevers, higher fevers than that, early in pregnancy and their babies are fine. The body has a way of protecting the foetus really well. I had recurring infections throughout early pregnancy with both of mine and these involved high fevers. I was never taken into hospital. All you can do is take paracetamol and rest. And both mine were born without any abnormalities. Good luck @Roro2021, and try and take a few deep breaths and distract yourself with something relaxing.

Take paracetamol to try and keep your temp under control, drink lots of fluid, take your vitamins especially folic acid and do the pcr test.

My friend didn’t know she was pregnant and spent the first 2 months in a hot tub!

@Roro2021 you may not care what the diagnosis is but it's public health advise so you don't potentially spread COVID. Of course you need a PCR.
The only thing you can do to help lower your temperature is drink lots of fluid and take paracetamol. There is nothing any Doctor will do at this point so early in a fever.

ThankstrampolineforMrKite, that was a really reassuring message. X

@Roro2021 How did everything turn out for you?

At my 20 week scan the baby was found to have ventriculomegaly. Probably totally unconnected but it did make me wonder if it was anything to do with that illness which was actually strep throat. Ventriculomegaly is enlarged ventricles in the brain. The spinal fluid wasn't draining as it should. It resolved before birth and he's now 8 weeks old and very healthy.
It was so frustrating not being able to get my temp under control for so long and the only thing the doctor was telling me to do was get a PCR test. To do what with the result? My temp was the issue. My baby was the priority. Particularly after a miscarriage. I was not concerned what the government wanted me to do, I wasn't leaving the house anyway feeling that ill.

@Roro2021 Wow that is a roller-coaster! It is pretty crazy they were so focused on the PCR instead of helping you bring the fever down. Did you get an all clear at your 12 week scan? And, then they caught it at the 20 week?