Fever During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: How to Safely Recover and Protect Your Baby?

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Fever During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: How to Safely Recover and Protect Your Baby?

By Alpro Pharmacy

April 3, 2025

When Mom Has a Fever, It's Her Body Calling for Help

That night, Melody lay in bed, her eyes burning, the back of her head throbbing, her bones aching, and her throat feeling as if it had been scraped with sandpaper. She reached up to touch her forehead—it was warm. Glancing at her peacefully sleeping baby, she instinctively reassured herself, “It’s probably just heatiness. A good night’s sleep will fix it.”

But she didn’t sleep well. Her fever spiked to 39°C in the middle of the night. As she struggled out of bed, her head pounded so intensely that she could barely stand, and her heart raced. By the third day, she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with Influenza A complicated by pneumonia. The doctor told her that if she had waited any longer, her baby might have been affected too.

She never imagined that what seemed like “just a fever” could push her to the brink of collapse.

A Mother’s Strength Can Sometimes Lead Her to Ignore Danger

During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a mother’s body undergoes silent but intense immune system battles. A fever is no longer just a simple inflammatory response—it can be the body’s way of protecting two lives.

Medically speaking, if your temperature exceeds 38.5°C for more than a day, it should no longer be dismissed as a “mild cold.” In early pregnancy, prolonged high fever has been linked to fetal neural tube defects and an increased risk of autism (Shi et al., 2021).

And headaches? They aren’t always just from lack of sleep or dehydration. If accompanied by blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a stiff neck, or swelling in the hands and feet, it could be a warning sign of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia (Zhou et al., 2022).

It’s Not About Avoiding Medication—It’s About Taking the Right One

For pregnant or breastfeeding moms, Paracetamol is the first-choice medication for reducing fever and relieving pain. It is widely recognized by global obstetric and gynecological experts as a safe and effective option (ACOG, 2020).

However, be careful to avoid effervescent tablets with high sodium content. Some formulas dissolve quickly due to added sodium salts, but these can increase the risk of gestational hypertension and swelling (ACOG, 2020). The safest choice is a plain, no-additive Paracetamol tablet.

Meanwhile, Ibuprofen and Naproxen (NSAIDs) should be avoided in late pregnancy, as they can cause premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus, leading to neonatal pulmonary hypertension and kidney function problems.

How Long Should You Take Medicine for Fever and Headaches?

Warning Signs—Don't Endure It, Seek Medical Help Immediately

🔹 Fever above 38.5°C lasting more than 24 hours
🔹 Fever that fluctuates between highs and lows for more than 3 days
🔹 Headache with blurred vision, stiff neck, ringing ears, or a skin rash
🔹 Chest tightness, palpitations, or difficulty breathing
🔹 Noticeable decrease in fetal movements or worsening discomfort
🔹 Severe vomiting, dehydration, or inability to eat

Common Questions About Fever During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Q1: Can a Breastfeeding Mom Continue to Nurse?

Yes, in most cases!

Having a fever does not make your breast milk harmful, nor does it mean you need to stop breastfeeding. In fact, the antibodies your body produces to fight the infection are passed to your baby through breast milk, providing added protection (LactMed, 2023).

As long as you are feeling well enough and do not have a severe contagious illness, breastfeeding is not only safe but can be beneficial for your baby’s immune system.

Q2: I took fever medicine, but my temperature kept going up and down. Is the medicine not working?

Actually, this is normal.

Paracetamol does not cure the infection causing the fever—it simply helps relieve symptoms temporarily so you feel a little better. Once the medication wears off, if the underlying infection (such as a virus) is still present, your temperature may rise again.

However, if your fever persists for more than 3 days or is accompanied by skin rashes, extreme weakness, or reduced fetal movements, see a doctor immediately—it could indicate a more serious infection or condition.

Q3: Can I Use Cooling Patches or Ice Packs for Headaches?

Yes! Local cooling is a safe and gentle remedy during pregnancy.

Applying a cooling patch or a cold compress to the forehead or back of the neck can help ease vascular headaches caused by blood vessel dilation.

However, this is only a temporary solution. If your headache is severe or comes with blurred vision, swelling, vomiting, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical attention immediately to rule out preeclampsia or other complications.

Q4: I Have a Fever—Will My Baby in the Womb Get Infected?

This is a common concern for expectant mothers. In reality, most common cold and flu viruses do not cross the placenta to directly infect your baby.

The real concern is high maternal fever itself. If a pregnant mother’s body temperature rises too high, especially in early pregnancy, it can impact the baby’s neurological development (Shi et al., 2021).

That’s why it’s important to:
✅ Reduce the fever as soon as possible
✅ Monitor your temperature closely
✅ Seek medical help when needed

By doing this, you can significantly lower any potential risks.

Come join MamaBe Expert Group for more intimate information!

If you are feeling unwell during pregnancy or breastfeeding, visit Alpro Pharmacy or Alpro Clinic. Our pharmacists and medical team are here to support and guide you—because before you take care of your baby, let us take care of you.

References (APA Format):

ACOG Committee Opinion No. 742. (2020). Use of paracetamol in pregnancy.
Shi, L., Wang, J., & Zhang, L. (2021). Birth Defects Research, 113(4), 292–298.
Zhou, Y., Sun, S., & Li, M. (2022). BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(1), 512.
LactMed. (2023). Paracetamol – Drugs and Lactation Database. U.S. National Library of Medicine.