Chills during early pregnancy

Chills are a sensation of cold or shivering that may occur as your body adjusts its temperature. Feeling cold without a raised temperature can follow tiredness, a cool environment, or hormonal changes. Chills with a measured fever more often point to an infection that needs attention. Influenza and a urinary tract infection are examples; a kidney infection can cause chills with back or side pain, nausea, or painful urination. Travel or mosquito exposure may make malaria or dengue fever relevant. Chills with cough or breathing trouble can occur with pneumonia.

The symptom itself does not identify the cause. Note when it started, whether your temperature is raised, and any bleeding, abdominal pain, vomiting, rash, cough, or urinary change.

Rest, use comfortable layers, and drink fluids in small frequent amounts if you can. Check your temperature with a thermometer and record the reading and time. Avoid taking new medicines, herbal products, or leftover antibiotics without checking that they are suitable in pregnancy. Contact your maternity team or a clinician the same day if chills recur, a fever develops, or you have urinary, respiratory, abdominal, or flu-like symptoms.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, a severe headache, stiff neck, persistent vomiting, severe abdominal or flank pain, heavy bleeding, or a rapidly worsening illness. These symptoms can accompany serious infection, including sepsis, and should not be watched at home. Pregnancy lowers the threshold for contacting a clinician when fever or rigors are present.

Ask whether your temperature and symptoms need testing, whether a urine sample is appropriate, and which fever or pain medicine is suitable for you. Mention your pregnancy stage, recent travel, mosquito exposure, sick contacts, and any medicines you have taken.