If you feel excessively cold and look pale or start shivering for no apparent reason, you may have the chills.
What causes it?
Hormone changes in pregnancy can sometimes make women feel warmer or colder than normal. However, your immune system isn’t working at its best during pregnancy, which can make you more susceptible to infection or illness. Chills accompanied by a fever, nausea, or vomiting may be associated with the common cold, the flu, a stomach bug, a thyroid problem, or a urinary tract infection. Less commonly, chills with a high fever and pain can be associated with a bacterial or kidney infection.
Tips?
It’s not a bad idea to talk to your provider if you experience chills in pregnancy, and especially if they are accompanied by other physical symptoms. They may be a simple case of hormone fluctuations, or the chills may be the result of a treatable illness that is unrelated to pregnancy.
Sources
- Mary M Murray, RN, CNM. “Flu during pregnancy: What to do?” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 4 2012. Web.
- Julie A Lamppa, CNM, RN. “Cold or flu during pregnancy: Preventing, coping tips.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Dec 13 2016. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Miscarriage: Symptoms and Causes.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Jul 20 2016. Web.
- “Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)” ACOG. FAQ050 from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, May 2015. Web.
- “Listeria and Pregnancy.” ACOG. PFS013 from American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Jan 2017. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Hypothyroidism.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Nov 10 2015. Web.
