33F, pregnant (36w), engorged tick, NJ

Physician Responded

this evening found an engorged tick on abdomen of 33F who is 36w pregnant. based on photos and online comparisons, looks like a deer tick. body is grey and swollen, suggesting it has been feeding for at least 24 hours.

photos of tick and bite spot on body: https://imgur.com/gallery/photos-of-tick-bite-spot-3mMyvb5

symptoms- red bump at site of bite

questions:

  1. should she go to hospital tonight or can it wait until morning?
  2. in a pregnant patient at 36w, what antibiotics (if any) are typically considered safe if prophylaxis or treatment for tick-borne infection is indicated?

other info:

  • normal pregnancy so far (baby is breech)
  • no history of lyme disease

just want to understand what physicians would generally recommend in this situation (hospital vs wait until morning, and typical next steps).

Thank you!

Posted Oct 7, 2025, 2:44 AM UTC

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