Is 37.7°C under the arm considered a fever in pregnant women?
Fever generally refers to an elevated body temperature. Under normal circumstances, a pregnant woman's axillary temperature of 37.7°C is considered feverish. The normal axillary temperature range for pregnant women is 36–37.5°C; therefore, 37.7°C is regarded as a fever. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Under normal conditions, an axillary temperature between 36°C and 37.5°C in pregnant women is considered normal. This slight increase is due to elevated levels of luteinizing hormone after conception, which causes a rise in basal body temperature by approximately 0.3–0.5°C. However, if a pregnant woman’s axillary temperature exceeds 37.5°C and reaches up to 38°C during pregnancy, it may indicate a fever caused by illness. In such cases, the individual should promptly visit a hospital for relevant examinations, such as a complete blood count, to determine the underlying cause.
If the fever is caused by a cold due to wind-cold invasion, treatment may include a decoction made from ginger, scallion whites, and brown sugar, which helps dispel wind and cold, relieve muscle tension, and induce sweating, thereby promoting recovery from wind-cold感冒 and reducing body temperature. If the fever results from a bacterial infection, medications such as amoxicillin capsules, Shuanghuanglian oral liquid, or Nanduogen granules should be taken under a doctor’s guidance.
Pregnant women should regularly monitor their body temperature throughout pregnancy. If the temperature persistently falls below or rises above the normal range, they should seek medical attention promptly.