What Should Be Done If a New Mother Has a High Body Temperature?
Pregnancy is a very special period, during which fever may occur due to various reasons, similar to that of normal times. Proper handling of fever during pregnancy is crucial. When the temperature is not too high, it is not advisable to misuse fever-reducing medication. Instead, it is best to adopt physical methods for resolution. In summary, reasonable fever reduction is of utmost importance, and it is necessary to master the correct methods. So, what should be done when a mother-to-be has a high body temperature? Let's take a look below.
When a lactating mother has a fever (with a measured temperature ranging from 38 to 40℃), she should rest in bed at home and ensure sufficient sleep time to facilitate physical recovery. She should consume nutrient-rich fluids such as milk, porridge, and noodles in small meals and avoid eating eggs during high fever. Additionally, she should drink plenty of warm water, with a daily intake of no less than 500 milliliters. Fever should not be suppressed immediately as a certain degree of fever (below 38.5℃) can protect the body. Breastfeeding can be temporarily suspended for 1 to 2 days during high fever, and during this period, the breasts should be regularly expressed to maintain future breastfeeding. Common dietary remedies for fever reduction include:
- Glutinous Rice and Scallion Soup: Wash and soak 100 grams of glutinous rice, cook it with an appropriate amount of water, and add a few scallion stalks near the end of cooking. Consume it on an empty stomach.
- Pear, Jujube, and Egg Soup: Clean and slice 1 pear, add an appropriate amount of red dates, ginger, and rock sugar, boil with water, and finally add an egg. Consume it twice a day, morning and evening, and rest after consumption.
- Chinese Cabbage and Radish Soup: Use 250 grams of Chinese cabbage hearts and 60 grams of white radish, add an appropriate amount of water, and cook until done. Add about 15 grams of brown sugar, and drink the soup while eating the vegetables while it's hot.
- Tangerine Peel, Ginger, and Brown Sugar Tea: Cut 10 grams of tangerine peel and ginger into thin slices, boil with water until reduced to half a bowl. Add an appropriate amount of brown sugar and consume while it's hot. Cover up and sleep after consumption to help reduce fever and relieve headaches.
Low-grade fever during lactation is generally safe for breastfeeding. However, it is recommended to stop breastfeeding if the temperature exceeds 37.7℃. If the fever is low-grade, it is advisable to take medication after breastfeeding. Mild symptoms of a cold do not require special treatment and will resolve spontaneously. However, if there are severe symptoms such as cough or fever, it is necessary to seek medical advice and take medication such as antiviral oral liquids, Banlangen granules, penicillin, or cephalosporin antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor. When breastfeeding, wear a mask. Breastfeed before taking medication and suspend breastfeeding for 4-6 hours after medication to avoid the peak concentration of the drug in the blood. If the temperature is ≥38℃, breastfeeding should be temporarily stopped. Ensure to express milk at least three times a day to maintain lactation. Keep the baby's room well-ventilated to reduce the concentration of influenza virus in the air. If necessary, temporarily remove the baby from the bedroom and disinfect the indoor air by boiling a mixture of 1-2 kilograms of vinegar and water in a closed environment for 4-6 hours.