30 weeks have flu with a fever heading towards 40 degrees - do I need to do anything

[iwantitnow]

I've come down with the flu today, not much fun when you still have morning sickness and a toddler at 30 weeks. My temperature is creeping up towards 40 degrees and I can only have one more dose of paracetamol between now and bedtime (although been in bed all day).

DH says I should phone the labour ward - you can't phone individual MWs here. I think a tepid flannel, fluid and rest is required.

I have terrible back ache but I often get that with flu and only ibuprofen will take the pain away but I can't take that.

Can I use a hot water bottle on my back? Should I phone the labour ward? I can phone the out of hours GP nurse - no way phoning NHS direct, takes hours to get a useless response in my experience.

Think you should phone for advice. My MW advised me to telephone immediately if temp reached 39 degrees.

I'm with lilimama, they may want to monitor you and baby and even if they don't, they may be able to give you some advice to help. Hope you feel better soon.

I would phone the labour ward for advice if your temp is getting that high with paracetamol. Other than that, ensure you're drinking plenty of fluids and rest. Hope all is well and you feel better soon

Ooh... meant to add that i've used hot water bottle for my back earlier on in pregnancy with no problems (as long as its not too hot IYSWIM), those lavender wheat packs are good too if you have one

Phoned the labour ward they didn't seem to be too concerned about my temperature at all - busy London hostpital. Only concern is keeping fluids up as the morning sickness can stop me even wanting to drink water. I will get DH to dig out hot water bottle. Will phone GP in the morning if temperature doesn't go down.

Hello, I just wanted to say that during each of my 1st 2 pregnancies I came down with a virus that pushed my temp up. The last thing I want to do here is stress you, but you need to get your temp down asap. I would absolutley not reccommend using anything warm on yourself at all. I was told on both occasions that if I went over 40 degrees then it could effect the babies brain the gp even came round to see me twice in one evening without being asked!!. As horrible as you feel and as uncomfortable as it is you need to cool down. If you can't take any more paracetamol yet then the best suggestion is to make a couple of flannels wet with cool water and wrap them round your calfs, the return blood flow from your legs will provide a gradual cooling effect on your body. Anything more aggressive to cool you down like a cool bath or shower could present a big risk during pregnancy, How many weeks are you? On both occasions I was around 25-30 weeks so obviously it could be different advice is given if you are much less. Really hope I haven't worried you / stressed you out, but when I read about the hot flannel I couldn't not reply. Hope you are feeling loads better soon!!

Sorry, just realised you are 30 weeks. Personally I would ring nhs direct and ask for a midwife to ring you back asap.

kkqX

Still have a temperature but it is going down. I'm trying to stay cool with flannels and paracetamol. I've had such bad experiences with NHS direct, I will phone GP this morning.

Hiya glad to hear from you, Hope you are feeling better soon.

KKQ x

Had exactly the same thing happen to me a couple of weeks ago (at 34 weeks) and was admitted to hospital (Chelsea and westminster) I really didnt want to spend the night in the antenatal ward but had three doctors convince me because its very dangerous for the baby when your temp is so hight - mine was 40C. Even the GP called to check up on me which never happens. Anyway was put on IV drip and paracetemol drip and fever went straight down overnight - dismissed the next day. I would stress you contact someone for advice - high temperatures are really bad for baby. I know its not very pleasant to get up and go out and see doctors/midwives but worth it in the end.

Hope you're feeling better iwantitnow. Re your "busy London hospital" - I don't care how busy they are, they should have been a bit more sympathetic - I'm really surprised they didn't suggest you come in. Hope you had more luck with your GP.