Does body temperature increase during pregnancy?
My wife is pregnant, and I've noticed that her body temperature seems higher than when she wasn't pregnant. She says this is normal. Is it true that a pregnant woman's body temperature rises?
Pregnancy is generally associated with a mild increase in body temperature, although individual variations may exist depending on physical condition. During pregnancy, hormonal changes in the body may lead to a certain degree of temperature elevation. Particularly in early pregnancy, increased secretion of progesterone can stimulate the body's temperature-regulating center, causing the basal body temperature to be slightly higher than pre-pregnancy levels by approximately 0.3–0.5 degrees Celsius. This temperature increase usually does not cause discomfort to the pregnant woman and is considered a normal physiological phenomenon. Typically, the elevated temperature does not exceed 37.5 degrees Celsius and is not accompanied by other obvious signs of infection.
Pregnant women should regularly monitor their body temperature during pregnancy to understand the trends in their basal body temperature and watch for any abnormal increases or associated symptoms such as headache and fatigue, which may indicate an infection or other health issues. Pregnant women should also maintain healthy lifestyle habits, including sufficient sleep, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise, all of which help maintain stable body temperature and overall health. If a pregnant woman experiences abnormal temperature elevation or feels unwell, she should seek medical advice promptly.