Fever and Breast Tenderness?
QUESTION
Dear Midwife,
I just found out today that I am pregnant. I have had some breast tenderness on the right breast on the side closest to my arm. It doesn't seem swollen or warm, but it is sore if I bump it or press on it. I also have a low-grade fever (99.2). Are these symptoms related? Is it normal to have a fever in the first trimester?
ANSWER
No. If it persists, you should let your provider know. Breast tenderness is common, but it is also possible that you could have a breast infection that should be checked out.
-- Cynthia, CNM
Cynthia Flynn
Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.
Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.
