Is this something to worry about? Any health professionals know. Ill around conception.

[Senseandprejudice]

Hi, I'm really hoping this is a stupid question.

I'm 5 weeks pregnant, and waiting for my first scan in a few weeks to see how things are and won't be able to see a doctor before then unless it's an emergency.

What's worrying me, not helped by late-night Googling, is that I developed a bad cough more or less on ovulation day, and I was suffering quite a lot for a week after. While the cough is much better now, it has still not completely gone. (I had a very light fever around the start too, which disappeared quickly, but no other symptoms really).

Google tells me this could cause all sorts of problems... is this true?

TIA

What is it you are worried about? This would have been even before implantation.

What is it that Google has suggested? I wouldn’t be concerned, I don’t think it’s uncommon. I think very high fevers in early pregnancy can be related to neural tube defects, but if yours was low grade then I’d doubt it would bring any considerable risk.

Well I have no CMV antibodies (tested) and was told (by my doctor) to take precautions at least 2 months prior to TTC because it can produce negative effects on an embryo even if the infection was before conception. I don't think my symptoms sound like CMV but I guess I was worried about a similar type situation with a virus.

What I've seen on the internet is increased risk of congenital disabilities or increased risk of fetal heart failure as a result of early-pregnancy infections that can cause a cough.

I don’t think you have to worry about a mild viral illness that caused a cough and mild fever only before implantation even happened. There are going to be a lot more things to worry about as pregnancy progresses so try to relax on googling.

well the egg formed decades earlier, the sperm did not form inside your body, and the zygote had no contact with you at the time you were (very slightly) unwell. You are worrying about nothing

You're very likely to go ill during pregnancy and all be fine so I've no idea how being ill before you've even gotten pregnant would cause harm?

I think it’s something worth talking through when you see your midwife. They can check with a consultant what would need to be done re CMV precautions.

I don’t think there are a huge amount of UK viruses that pose risks to the baby when a woman is pregnant. A normal cold virus tends to be fine and very common due to reduced immune system in pregnancy. I do think the best person to reassure and advise you is the midwife though, as they’ll know your history and information as well as having access to specific advice on CMV.

The day I got a positive pregnancy test I also got a positive Covid test. I’m now 14 weeks and all looked good at the 12 scan and bloods. Think it’s very unlikely for anyone to get through pregnancy without being poorly at some stage, particularly this time of year - for example, as well as Covid I’ve had a rotten cold (I’m a primary teacher!) and still all okay. Worth mentioning to midwife when you see her just to allay your worries, but try not to overly worry about it

I’ve had four colds AND covid during this pregnancy, and I’m 34 weeks.

thank you germ bag daughter and nursery!

it’s never occurred to me to be worried?

I had flu at 10 weeks pregnant, was in bed for a week. Midwife wasn't concerned at all and baby is absolutely fine.