Chills during the first trimester

Early pregnancy can change temperature awareness, appetite, sleep, and tolerance of cold. Chills without fever may follow tiredness, nausea with reduced intake, or a cool environment. They are not a reliable sign of pregnancy progress or a way to tell whether the pregnancy is developing normally.

Fever changes the picture. Influenza may cause chills, aches, cough, and sore throat. A urinary tract infection can cause burning or frequent urination, and a kidney infection may cause side or back pain with nausea. Cough and breathing difficulty may occur with pneumonia. Recent travel or mosquito exposure should be mentioned because malaria and dengue fever may cause fever and chills.

Check your temperature, drink fluids in small amounts, and rest. Keep a record of chills, fever readings, abdominal or pelvic pain, bleeding, vomiting, and urinary changes. Contact your prenatal clinician promptly if chills continue, recur, or accompany a fever. Before using medicines, supplements, or remedies, confirm that they are appropriate for pregnancy and for your medical history.

Get urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe abdominal or shoulder pain, fainting, confusion, trouble breathing, severe weakness, persistent vomiting, or rapidly worsening illness. Chills with a serious infection can precede sepsis, so do not wait for a routine appointment when you feel acutely unwell. Fever during pregnancy also merits early advice, particularly if it does not settle.

Ask whether you need an examination, urine testing, or other checks, and which fever or pain medicine is suitable. Share the date of your last menstrual period, estimated gestation, temperature readings, travel history, sick contacts, and every medicine or supplement taken.