Exposure to Chicken Pox in Late Pregnancy

Hi All

I have had my step children round to stay this weekend and we were told after that chicken pox is going round the class of one of them (even her best friend has it).

She has never had chicken pox before and neither have i. i am 35+3 weeks pregnant. Me being the stress head that i am are worried that i might get infected. Has anybody else encountered this??

Hope to hear from someone soon.

Debs x

Hi Debbie

My Mum is a midwife and she says that if you have had it before you don't need to worry. But if you haven't had it you may be at risk, and remember that chicken pox is most infectious before the spots appear. Make sure you keep in touch to find out if your step-daughter starts showing spots, and if you start feeling ill go to the doctors as it can affect the baby.

Hope you stay well
Take care xxx

hi debbie,

i have been looking at my pregnancy book and it gives a lot of information on chicken pox. it says that if caught between 20 and 36 wks baby will not be affected but virus may remain in the body and show up as shingles in the first few years.
it also says that if you think you've been exposed to chicken pox your doc will arrange a blood test to establish your immunity. if there is any uncertainty your baby will be given a ZIG injection at the time of delivery.
its only if chicken pox is caught between 8 and 20 wks that it can harm the baby and even then the risk is small.
hope this information helps you a little. can understand that you are worried. if you need any other info just let me know, all the best alix

Hi

Thanks for your advice - i think i'll mention it to my midwife on Thursday. Me being me have been reading up about it on the internet and it always makes it sound bad thats why i panic.

Debs x

hi debbie - dont worry - i had chicken pox when i was 15 weeks pregnant, everything was fine and so was my little girl - who also has some imunity to it now too!! xxx

Hi Debbie I had chicken pox when I was about 32 weeks pregnant with my eldest who`s 14, I was fine and so was she! Don`t worry, but if you are concerned give doc or midwife a ring! Good luck!

Sam

Hi All

Just thought i'd let yo know that i went for a blood test the other day to see if i am immune or not. i get my results today. I asked the midwife what will happen if i am not immune she says they give me an injection that will help my body reject the infection if i get it. This injections cost £1500.00 wow.

Debsx