What should be the rectal temperature during pregnancy?

Rectal (basal) temperature is measured every morning in the rectum. Its indicators are important for gynecologists and obstetricians. The measurement of rectal temperature is one of the reliable methods for determining ovulation. With its help, you can identify possible deviations of the hormonal background, which lead to a violation of the cycle.

The rectal temperature during pregnancy indicates whether the woman has enough progesterone. In case of its shortage, miscarriage or threat of interruption, frozen pregnancy is possible. In clinics where a wide range of examinations and analyzes is available, this method of monitoring pregnancy is rarely prescribed. In the same place where there is no possibility to conduct a test for hormones, the rectal (basal) temperature is able to give accurate information about the state of pregnancy, and also on the reproductive system of the woman as a whole.

To understand what should be the rectal temperature during pregnancy, it is necessary to understand how the female body works. The plotting of the basal (rectal) temperature chart makes it possible to determine the phases of the cycle, determine the time of ovulation, and the development of pregnancy.

In the first half of the cycle, the rectal (basal) temperature is below 37 degrees, during the ovulation period it rises slightly (by half a degree), and in the second half of the cycle the normal rectal temperature is 37 degrees and above. If pregnancy does not occur, the level of the hormone progesterone, which causes a rise in temperature in the rectum, decreases, and menstrual bleeding begins.

If the pregnancy has occurred, the temperature keeps at high levels until 15-20 weeks, after which it decreases. Especially informative is the measurement of temperature up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. At this time the rectal temperature of 37 degrees and above indicates a sufficient level of the hormone progesterone. This means that pregnancy proceeds without complications.

If the rectal temperature during pregnancy begins to decrease, this may be a sign of a spontaneous abortion, even if the woman does not care. Properly constructed schedule allows you to suspect a problem in the body and in time to prescribe treatment.

In the case of a decrease in rectal (basal) temperature (below 37 degrees) to 12 weeks, hormonal therapy is conducted to preserve pregnancy.

Conduct a basal (rectal) temperature measurement in the morning immediately after a night's sleep. It is advisable to do this at the same time. In the evening, prepare a thermometer, put it near the bed so that you can reach it with your hand. Measure the temperature without getting out of bed, before emptying the bladder and intestines. The measurement time is 5-10 minutes. The obtained indicators are recorded in a special schedule.

The curve of the graph shows how the hormonal background changes in different phases of the cycle. At the onset of pregnancy, the rectal temperature rises. Pregnancy proceeds safely if the basal temperature is kept at 37 degrees and higher until four to five months. Usually, it is not necessary to measure the temperature so long during the expectation of the child, the main period is up to 12 weeks, when a threat of miscarriage is possible .

Too high rectal temperature during pregnancy can talk about possible unhappiness. This happens in inflammatory processes. In this case, the basal (rectal) temperature is kept at the level of 37.7-37.8 degrees. With such indicators, a doctor's consultation is needed, which will prescribe an examination and treatment.

Rectal temperature during pregnancy is quite informative and, moreover, a free method that allows to determine the threat of interruption or inflammation in the process of carrying a child. If the doctor has appointed you this study, follow it according to the instructions.