Normal temperature for pregnant women

Adults, babies, pregnancy, and more

The average adult body temperature is around 98.6°F (37°C), but individual baseline body temperatures can vary. Factors such as age and activity levels can affect a person’s normal body temperature.

The way of measuring temperature may also affect the reading.

In this article, we discuss typical temperature ranges for adults, children, and those who are pregnant. We also consider factors affecting body temperature and when to call a doctor.

Body temperature readings vary depending on where a person takes the measurements on the body. For example, rectal temperature readings are higher than oral readings, while armpit readings tend to be lower.

Body temperature readings can also vary depending on the following factors:

• a person’s age
• the time of day, typically lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon
• a person’s recent activity
• food and fluid intake

According to reviews, the average adult body temperature across all different reading sites is 97. 86°F (36.59°C).

Researchers also found that the average orally-taken adult body temperature falls between 97.2–98.6°F (36.24–37°C).

Average body temperature can vary across demographics. A study of almost 35,500 people found that older adults had the lowest temperatures, and African American women had higher temperatures than white men.

The researchers also found that certain medical conditions can affect body temperature. For example, people with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) tended to have lower temperatures, while people with cancer had higher temperatures.

Typically, the following temperatures suggest that someone has a fever:

• at least 100.4°F (38°C) is a fever
• above 103.1°F (39.5°C) is a high fever
• above 105.8°F (41°C) is a very high fever

A fever may be a symptom of COVID-19.

The average body temperature for children is around 97.52°F (36.4°C), but this can vary. As with adults, a temperature above 100. 4°F (38°C) may indicate a fever in children.

Infants tend to have higher body temperatures than older children and adults. The average body temperature for newborn babies is around 99.5°F (37.5°C).

A baby’s temperature is higher because they have a larger body surface area relative to their body weight. Their bodies are also more metabolically active, which generates heat.

Babies’ bodies do not regulate temperature as well as adults’ bodies. They sweat less when it is warm, meaning their bodies hold more heat. It may also be more difficult for them to cool down during a fever.

Learn more about fever in babies here.

During pregnancy, a person’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) is higher. This means the body produces more heat.

One study found that body temperature peaks at 96–99.5°F (35.6–37.5°C) around the 12th week of pregnancy. The average body temperature reaches its lowest point of around 95.5–99.1°F (35.3–37.3°C) just after the 33rd week.

There are many types of thermometers available.

Digital thermometers

Digital thermometers are readily available and can produce accurate temperature results. A person may use these at different parts of the body.

• Rectal measurement: Specialized digital rectal thermometers are a common option for taking the temperature of young children. A person should clean and lubricate the end of these devices before inserting them into the anus. The device will alert the user when it has made a reading and is safe to remove.
• Oral measurement: Standard digital thermometers are simple to use orally (by mouth). First, a person must make sure the tip of the device is clean. They will then place this under their tongue toward the back of their mouth and close their lips. The device will produce a reading on an integrated display.
• Axillary (armpit) measurement: A person can place a digital thermometer at their, or someone else’s, armpit. The arm must then remain tight to the body to ensure a good reading. This is a noninvasive option for taking a child’s temperature.

Infrared thermometers

Infrared thermometers can take temperature readings at a distance. However, these are not as accurate as other methods.

People may use tympanic thermometers to take readings from the ear canal. To use, a person will:

• insert the device’s tip into their ear
• align it with their ear canal
• activate the device until it produces a result

Temporal thermometers use an infrared signal to measure a person’s temperature. The user will typically hold the thermometer a few centimeters from a person’s forehead and wait for the device to produce a reading.

One study concluded that while forehead and ear measurements are viable, nontraumatic screening options for infants, they are still not as accurate as rectal measurements.

It is important for people to always follow the instructions on the thermometer package.

If a thermometer indicates a person’s body temperature is too high or too low, they may wish to take another reading to confirm the result.

In all age ranges, a high temperature may result from short-term illnesses and usually does not cause significant harm in adults with otherwise good overall health.

If a person has a high temperature, it is important they rest and drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. These at-home treatments also apply to children and babies.

In hot climates, exercise or other physical activity may cause hyperthermia — an abnormally high body temperature. Unlike infection or fever, this is typically the result of outside factors. Moving to a cooler space and taking fluids will usually remedy hyperthermia.

However, if a high temperature persists or increases, people should seek medical help.

If a person’s temperature is below 95°F (35°C) they have hypothermia and should seek medical assistance.

The need for medical assistance can vary between age groups.

In many cases, a person with a fever will not require medical attention. However, if a person has a temperature of or higher, they should contact their doctor.

A person should also seek medical assistance if they experience any of the following alongside a fever:

• dehydration
• lightheadedness
• severe cramps
• a persistent, or worsening fever

The following people should also seek medical assistance if they experience fever:

• recent transplant participants
• people with compromised immune systems
• those on immunosuppressants
• those who have recently undergone cancer treatments

If a person’s temperature is over 106.7°F (41.5°C), they have hyperpyrexia, a very high fever. This can lead to permanent organ damage and death. Hyperpyrexia requires urgent medical assistance.

If a person’s body temperature is too low, they may have hypothermia. This is a medical emergency, and they should seek assistance immediately. Doctors define hypothermia as a temperature dropping below 95°F (35°C).

A person should contact emergency services if a child has a temperature over 104°F (40°C). They should also seek medical help if a child has a high temperature that lasts for 5 days or more or is experiencing dehydration, vomiting, or diarrhea.

If a child’s temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), medical assistance is essential.

If an infant 3 months or younger has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above, seek emergency medical attention. In young babies, a slight fever can signal a serious infection.

In babies up to 6 months of age, a temperature of 102.2°F (39°C) or more is also reason to contact emergency services.

As with adults and older children, if a baby’s temperature drops below 95°F (35°C), they will require immediate emergency assistance.

An area of the brain called the hypothalamus regulates body temperature. If body temperature rises above or dips below the 98.6°F (37°C) mark, the hypothalamus works to regulate the temperature.

If the body is too cold, the hypothalamus sends signals to make the body shiver, which warms the body. If the body is too hot, it sends messages to begin sweating, letting heat leave the body.

Infections cause most fevers. A fever develops as the body’s natural way of reacting to and fighting infection.

Doctors consider a fever to be a body temperature that reaches or exceeds 100.4°F (38°C). Other symptoms include:

• appetite loss
• chills
• headache
• irritability
• muscle aches
• shivering
• sweating
• weakness

The ideal body temperature in adults is around 98.6°F (37°C), but this varies based on age, physical activity, and health. Body temperature also changes throughout the day. A temperature of above 100.4°F (38°C) signals a fever.

Babies may have higher body temperatures than adults, but even a slight fever in babies can indicate a severe infection.

Temperature readings from different body parts give a range of body temperatures that doctors consider normal. Rectal readings are higher than oral readings, and armpit readings tend to be lower.

If a person has an unusually high or low temperature, they should seek medical attention immediately.

Read this article in Spanish.

What Is a Normal Pregnancy Temperature?

By now, most experts agree that not everyone has a normal body temperature of 98.6. Some people tend to run a little warmer when they’re healthy; others tend to be a little cooler. If you have a good idea of your normal baseline temperature, it’s important to know this: It’s usually a little higher in pregnancy. There are a few factors that go into this temperature increase, but it can and does happen. Here’s what you need to know about a normal pregnancy temperature, plus what it means for you.

In this article:
What’s considered a normal pregnancy temperature?
Dangers of a high body temperature when pregnant
What constitutes a fever during pregnancy?

What’s Considered a Normal Pregnancy Temperature?

Your normal body temperature may rise during pregnancy, but it’s unlikely to be a huge increase, says Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida. So what is a normal body temperature for a pregnant woman? “It could rise about 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit,” she says. For example, if your baseline body temperature pre-pregnancy was 98.2, your body temperature when pregnant could be 98.4. “It’s super, super subtle,” says G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.

So why is your pregnancy temperature different than your pre-pregnancy body temp? It rises slightly when you’re expecting due to the increase in your body’s blood volume to meet the demands of your growing baby, explains women’s health expert Jennifer Wider, MD. “Due to this increase and the increases in body metabolism, the core temperature rises,” she says.

Your early pregnancy temperature range starts out higher, particularly in the first trimester, Greves says, and then falls as your pregnancy progresses. In fact, if you were using your basal body temperature to track your ovulation, you may have noticed that it rose slightly (and stayed elevated) after you conceived, Wider says. While your body temperature when pregnant is highest in the first trimester, keep in mind that your core temperature will increase more easily later in your pregnancy when you exercise or are out and about in hot weather, Wider says.

If your normal body temperature hasn’t risen during pregnancy, don’t panic. Your core body temperature has a range, Wider says, making it hard to get an exact read on what your new body temp is. Given that it goes up only slightly during pregnancy, it’s also difficult to determine an exact number for your new pregnancy temperature. Either way, it’s not a cause for concern if that number on the thermometer doesn’t rise. “The change in temperature really isn’t significant,” Ruiz says.

Dangers of a High Body Temperature When Pregnant

Illness and fevers happen, but do your best to avoid developing a fever or letting one persist during pregnancy. That’s because if your internal temperature gets too high, especially in your first trimester, it can potentially increase the risk of miscarriage, neural tube defects (aka birth defects of the brain, spine or spinal cord) and developmental problems, including cleft lip and palate and congenital heart defects, according to the doctors we spoke with.

In general, you want to do what you can to avoid raising your body temperature when pregnant, Greves says. That includes avoiding the use of a hot tub or sauna, taking a piping hot bath (where the water is hotter than 100 degrees) or being outside for too long on very hot days. However, you can use a heating pad on localized areas, like your back, legs or feet. “It shouldn’t increase your core body temperature,” Greves says. Just don’t use it for more than 15 minutes, and make sure the pad is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Constitutes a Fever During Pregnancy?

Because the increase in pregnancy temperature is so low, doctors still consider the standard marker of a fever—100.4 degrees or above—as a fever during pregnancy, Ruiz says.

If you have a mild fever, you can take acetaminophen (Tylenol) to try to bring it down, Ruiz says. Drinking a lot of fluids can help too, he says. It’s important to let your doctor know what’s going on, even if your fever is low. “We want to know other symptoms,” Greves says. “If you have a stiff neck and rash, I would address that immediately, as opposed to someone having a few sniffles and a mild fever.” Call your doctor immediately if you have a fever of 102 or higher, which would require additional attention.

About the experts:

Christine Greves, MD, FACOG, is an ob-gyn at the Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies in Orlando, Florida. She received her medical degree from the University of South Florida College of Medicine.

G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, is the lead ob-gyn at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California. He earned his medical degree from UC Irvine School of Medicine and has been practicing medicine in Orange County since 1993.

Jennifer Wider, MD, is a New York City-based women’s health expert and author. She received her medical degree from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

Why Am I Always Hot During Pregnancy

What to Do for a Fever During Pregnancy

How Moms-to-Be Can Enjoy a Bath Safely

Pregnancy and temperature - Official website of the Center for Public Health and Medical Prevention of the Health Committee of the Kursk Region

Every mother wants her baby to be born healthy, therefore, during pregnancy, any changes in the body are perceived by a woman with apprehension. the unmotivated rise in temperature is especially worrisome. The temperature usually rises to 37.2 ⁰ -37.5 ⁰ , does not cause any special complaints, some weakness and drowsiness may be observed. The rise in temperature in different women occurs in different ways. For some, it appears only during physical exertion, while doing housework, for others it appears in the afternoon or lasts throughout the day. Usually not so much pregnant women as their relatives are very worried about this. nine0007

If we consider the reasons for the rise in body temperature, then during pregnancy (especially in the first trimester), it can be slightly elevated (within 37.2 ⁰ -37.4 ⁰ ). This is due to the fact that the production of the hormone progesterone increases in the body. In the II phase of the menstrual cycle, under its influence, changes occur in the uterine mucosa, preparing it for implantation of the embryo. After pregnancy, progesterone production increases. Until about 12-14 weeks, the formation of progesterone continues in the "yellow body" of the ovary, and later the placenta takes over this function. Progesterone has an effect on the thermoregulatory center in the brain. And it is changes in hormonal levels and changes in thermoregulation that cause a slight increase in body temperature during pregnancy in a number of women. Studies on the frequency of such a manifestation have not been conducted, but according to observations, it occurs in 3-5% of pregnant women. This is not related to height or weight, but is purely individual. The first weeks of pregnancy is a powerful restructuring of metabolism and hormones. Such an increase in temperature is not a pathology. Fluctuations in temperature, fatigue, drowsiness, changes in mood, appetite, nausea usually disappear by 12-14 weeks of pregnancy. Subfebrile temperature does not affect the development of the child. nine0007

If, nevertheless, an increase in temperature causes concern, and you continue to be tormented by doubts, then you need to eliminate the foci of chronic infections - cure your teeth, gargle with chronic tonsillitis, and be sure to check your health with a therapist. Pass blood, urine, biochemical, HIV, etc. tests. If all the tests are in order, there are no foci of chronic diseases (sinusitis, pyelonephritis, etc.) and there are no complaints, then know that everything is fine and there is no reason to worry! nine0007

But if, along with a high or not very high temperature, there are still complaints, it is necessary to urgently apply to identify the causes of the disease, because. in some cases, a high temperature is more dangerous for the fetus than drugs prescribed by a doctor. An elevated temperature, including during pregnancy, can be caused by many diseases. In order to prevent this from happening from the first weeks, you need to take care of yourself, do not overcool, avoid crowded places and public transport during the flu epidemic. Eat more vegetables and fruits, do not forget about protein foods. And then after 9months Your baby will please the world with the first cry.

Early pregnancy | Shchelkovsky perinatal center

Pregnancy is a wonderful period! However, the changes taking place in the body at this time can greatly frighten you. The phenomena characteristic of pregnancy are different for all women, and will not necessarily be repeated during each subsequent gestation. Let's analyze the most common symptoms, their causes and possible methods of correction.

1. Frequent urination. nine0024