Some common reasons for a woman developing a fever in labour can include:
Being dehydrated
Being overheated
Having an epidural
Developing an infection
You are unwell
Being dehydrated. This is the most common reason for a woman having a low-grade temperature, up to about 38
o Celsius, and is more common if the labour and / or prelabour have been prolonged. The woman is working hard, she needs fluids and her body temperature rises. She will normally have a fast pulse (over 100 beats per minute) and often the baby's heart rate is elevated above 170 beats per minute. Drinking lots of fluids is usually all that is needed. However, the caregiver may want to insert a drip to administer extra fluids through the woman's vein. Antiemetic medications (to stop vomiting) may also be given, if the woman is continually
vomiting throughout her labour.
Being overheated. If the woman is overheated, this can also cause a low-grade temperature up to 37.5, to about 38.0
o Celsius. This can happen if the woman is in a bath that is too warm, a hot, steamy shower, or it is a warm day with no air-conditioning. The heated conditions can also contribute to the woman sweating more, and becoming dehydrated, which may also be the cause of the fever. Getting out of the bath or shower, changing the environment, or using cool towels and ice may help. Increasing fluids if the woman is not drinking much is also a good idea.
Having an epidural. It is now well documented that women who have epidurals over an extended period of time are likely to develop a fever, one that is not related to any form of infection. This can sometimes be referred to as 'epidural fever'.
One in 4 women (or 25%), who have an epidural in place for more than 4 hours will develop a fever above 38
o Celsius, and close to 50% will develop a fever after 8 hours.