What should you know about fever and spotting in early pregnancy?

Spotting means light vaginal bleeding, but its significance depends on the pregnancy stage, bleeding pattern and accompanying symptoms. Fever may point to an infection or another illness and is not explained by spotting alone.

Possible sources of bleeding include changes around the cervix, infection, or a problem needing assessment. A clinician may ask about colour, clots, amount, cramps, one-sided pain, dizziness, urinary symptoms and exposure to infection.

Contact your pregnancy care team promptly and describe the fever, bleeding and any pain. Use a pad rather than a tampon so you can observe the bleeding, note when it began, and bring details of medicines or recent tests.

Do not self-start antibiotics or assume that bed rest will identify the cause. The clinician may arrange an examination, urine testing, blood tests or ultrasound depending on your symptoms and pregnancy stage.

Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe or one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting, marked dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing or a high fever with severe weakness. Get prompt assessment if bleeding increases or you cannot keep fluids down.

Ask what bleeding changes require emergency care, whether you need testing for infection, how pregnancy location and development will be checked, and which fever medicines are suitable in pregnancy.