Transcript: Are you running a fever? Are you depressed? If you’re sick, you’ll understandably worry about your baby. The good news is that the majority of illnesses that can befall a pregnant mother, if treated, won’t harm her fetus. Similarly, most medications that you might take to treat an illness will be far less damaging to your baby than being sick. If you’re running a fever, it’s true that both you and the baby will burn off oxygen and calories faster than normal. But, while this may cause brief stress to the baby, it’s not generally harmful in the long term. The exception to this is a fever above 103 degrees, particularly during in your first trimester, which could lead to neural tube defects in your baby if not monitored. Meanwhile, if you’re suffering from depression while pregnant, your baby will be fine— as long as you take care of yourself.  That means going to counseling to sort through your emotions, and being proactive about prenatal care. Your doctor may even recommend an anti-depressant, as most physicians agree that this is less hazardous to your baby than the risks of the disease itself. When in doubt, remember to be gentle on yourself and to talk to your doctor about safe healing.