After becoming pregnant, a woman’s basal body temperature (BBT) will differ from her normal temperature. For most pregnant women, their BBT will show a rising trend, which is nothing to worry about as long as it stays within the normal range. However, to ensure a healthy pregnancy, it is important for expectant mothers to understand the changes in their BBT during pregnancy.
Basal Body Temperature during Pregnancy
Many women use their BBT as an indicator of pregnancy. But what is BBT during pregnancy? BBT, also known as resting temperature, refers to the body temperature measured after 6-8 hours of sleep, without any influence from exercise, diet, or emotions. Generally, the BBT of women who are not pregnant is around 36.5 degrees Celsius, and during ovulation, the BBT shows a minimum value.
During pregnancy, the BBT of the mother will rise and typically stay between 36.9 and 37.2 degrees Celsius. If the BBT maintains this temperature for about 12 days and there are no other obvious abnormalities in the body and menstruation is delayed, along with early pregnancy symptoms, it can be confirmed that the woman is pregnant. However, if the BBT fluctuates irregularly, it should be taken seriously to avoid unexpected complications such as miscarriage.
What is the Normal Temperature during Pregnancy?
The body of a pregnant woman undergoes many changes, and she may experience different pregnancy symptoms. However, because every woman’s body is different, pregnancy symptoms may vary. Nevertheless, the body temperature of pregnant women tends to rise. What is the normal temperature during pregnancy?
For most pregnant women, a normal temperature during pregnancy should be between 36.9 and 37.2 degrees Celsius, which is slightly higher than the normal temperature range of 36 to 37 degrees Celsius for non-pregnant individuals. The rise in body temperature during pregnancy is a normal physiological response caused by changes in hormones. It is important for pregnant women to monitor their body temperature changes to judge their own health status. If the temperature is outside the normal range, they should first check if they are ill, seek medical attention in a timely manner, and take corresponding measures to protect their own and their baby’s health.
What Are the Changes in Body Temperature During Pregnancy?
We all know that body temperature after pregnancy is different from before pregnancy. In fact, not only the body temperature before and after pregnancy will change, but the body temperature will also change during different stages of pregnancy. So what are the changes in body temperature during pregnancy?
Conception period, temperature gradually rises
During ovulation, there will be a period of the lowest body temperature. After successful conception, the body temperature will slowly rise. In the early stages of pregnancy, the higher body temperature will persist, and after successful conception, a woman’s basal body temperature will rise by about 0.5 degrees Celsius, lasting for about 18 days.
Early pregnancy, high temperature period
When the pregnant mother is 1-3 months pregnant, her body temperature will be at a higher level. If you have been measuring your body temperature for about 20 days after having sex, and it is consistently higher than normal, then you can basically determine that you are pregnant.
Mid-pregnancy, return to normal temperature
After three months of pregnancy, in the mid-pregnancy period, the body temperature of the pregnant mother will gradually return to normal.
Does Body Temperature Rise in Early Pregnancy?
Some people get pregnant unexpectedly without any preparation. Therefore, many female friends do not know what to do after becoming pregnant and are in a blank phase about pregnancy symptoms. They do not even know the most obvious change in body temperature. So, does body temperature rise in early pregnancy?
First of all, during early pregnancy, body temperature will rise because one of the symptoms of early pregnancy is an increase in body temperature, and this condition will last until about three months of pregnancy. After three months of pregnancy, body temperature will slowly return to normal. If you find that your body temperature has been higher than normal for a period of time, and accompanied by various early pregnancy symptoms, you should first test whether you are pregnant.
However, it should also be reminded that although the body temperature of pregnant women will rise during pregnancy, the temperature should be maintained within the range of 36.9 degrees Celsius to 37.2 degrees Celsius. If the temperature is not within this range or if the temperature fluctuates abnormally, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Why Does Body Temperature Rise During Early Pregnancy?
As we know, a rise in body temperature is a normal symptom during pregnancy, but why does it happen during the early stages of pregnancy? What factors cause this increase in temperature? Let’s take a look!
Nervous System
Firstly, women have more sensitive “sensors” on their skin. After becoming pregnant, the fetus inside the uterus needs a constant temperature to develop. As a result, a pregnant woman’s body must be in a protected state, which can cause her body temperature to rise spontaneously.
Hormones
When a woman becomes pregnant, her body produces a hormone called progesterone, which plays an important role in regulating body temperature. When a certain amount of progesterone is secreted, it can cause an increase in body temperature.
Body Fat
Since women have more body fat than men, their bodies naturally activate a protective function after becoming pregnant, causing their body temperature to be slightly higher than normal body temperature.
Conclusion
Basal body temperature (BBT) is the body’s lowest resting temperature, and it is an important factor for women trying to conceive. During ovulation, a woman’s BBT increases by approximately 0.5-1°F, which can help to indicate when she is most fertile. By tracking their BBT over time, women can identify their fertile window and increase their chances of becoming pregnant. However, BBT alone is not a foolproof method for determining ovulation and should be used in conjunction with other methods, such as ovulation predictor kits and cervical mucus monitoring. It is important to note that certain factors, such as illness, stress, and lack of sleep, can also affect BBT readings, so consistent monitoring and careful interpretation of the data is crucial for accurate results.
FAQs
Does Basal Body Temperature Indicate Early Pregnancy?
The basal body temperature method can also be used to detect pregnancy. Following ovulation, a rise in basal body temperature that lasts for 18 or more days may be an early indicator of pregnancy.
What Is Normal BBT Before Pregnancy?
Before ovulation, a woman’s BBT averages between 36.1°C (97°F) and 36.4°C (97.5°F). After ovulation, it rises to 36.4°C (97.6°F) to 37°C (98.6°F).
Does Your Body Temperature Get Hot in Early Pregnancy?
Elevated pregnancy hormone levels early in your pregnancy and a metabolism that has sped up can both lead to a feeling of hot flashes resulting from an increase in your core body temperature. Your body compensates for this hot feeling by sweating more to help cool you down.
How Long Does BBT Stay Elevated if Pregnant?
If you’re pregnant, you’ll notice that your temps stay elevated and don’t drop off with menstruation. In the case of successful pregnancy, temperatures will remain elevated beyond the next expected period. If your temp stays elevated beyond 16-18 days then you’re probably pregnant.
When Does BBT Drop Before Period if Not Pregnant?
BBT (Basal Body Temperature) typically drops before menstruation if a person is not pregnant. This drop in temperature indicates that the menstrual cycle is about to start. The drop in BBT is caused by the decrease in progesterone levels that occur when the body is not preparing for pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that every person’s cycle is different and BBT patterns can vary, so a consistent drop in BBT before menstruation may not occur for everyone.
Does BBT Rise After Implantation?
Yes, basal body temperature (BBT) can rise after implantation, which is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy. After an egg is fertilized, it travels to the uterus and implants in the uterine lining, which can cause a temporary increase in progesterone levels. This increase in progesterone can lead to a rise in BBT, which can be detected with a basal thermometer. However, it’s important to note that BBT is just one indicator of pregnancy and should not be relied upon as the sole method of determining pregnancy.
*Tips: The medical information mentioned in this article is for reading reference only. If you experience any discomfort, we recommend seeking medical attention immediately.
References
https://www.clearblue.com/how-to-get-pregnant/basal-body-temperature
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/basal-body-temperature/about/pac-20393026
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546686/
