Cold chills in early pregnancy: what to know

Hormonal and circulation changes can alter how warm or cold you feel, but marked shivering may also occur with a fever or infection. Influenza, urinary infection, kidney infection, pneumonia, malaria, and dengue fever are possible medical causes; the likelihood depends on symptoms, examination, and exposure. A urinary infection may include burning or frequent urination, while a kidney infection may cause back or side pain, fever, and vomiting. Pregnancy can make prompt assessment more important because dehydration and infection can affect both parent and pregnancy. Read about [Chills](/symptoms/chills/) and [Urinary Tract Infection](/conditions/urinary-tract-infection/).

Take your temperature, drink small regular amounts, rest, and keep a note of pain, bleeding, vomiting, urinary symptoms, cough, and travel history. Contact your maternity or primary-care team for advice about any fever or persistent chills. Check before taking medicines, including herbal products, because some options are unsuitable during pregnancy. Do not delay care because you are unsure whether the symptom is pregnancy-related.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, fainting, confusion, breathing difficulty, severe headache, persistent vomiting, inability to keep fluids down, or very little urine. Fever with painful urination, flank pain, or feeling suddenly much worse needs prompt medical review. Chills with rapid deterioration can indicate sepsis. Recent travel to a malaria area, mosquito exposure, or a new rash should be mentioned immediately. Related pages include [Kidney Infection](/conditions/kidney-infection/) and [Sepsis](/conditions/sepsis/).

What temperature should prompt urgent review in my pregnancy? Could I have a urine or respiratory infection? Which fluids and medicines are appropriate? Do my abdominal symptoms or travel history change the advice?