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chickenpox at 39wks+ - is this bad news?

10 replies

MBB · 29/09/2003 22:18

I'm due on Friday and have just found out I've been exposed to chickenpox within the last 10 days or so. DS (16mnths) has spots on the back of his neck since yesterday afternoon but is not bothered by them, not off his food or seeming ill in anyway - so not sure if he has it or not. Does anyone know if this will affect the baby and should I call the midwife? would appreciate any quick replies tonight if possible.

thanks

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fio2 · 29/09/2003 22:20

no it wont affect the baby too bad but it may born with chickenpox! But if you have had it before your immunity will most probably protect the baby anyway

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CnR · 29/09/2003 22:21

I think the risk is more towards the very early stages of pregnancy as your baby will be fully formed by now. Obviously I don't know medically. Why not phone NHS Direct and have a chat with the nurses there to out your mind at ease?

Hope all goes well and good luck for Friday!

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fio2 · 29/09/2003 22:25

my friend works for NHS direct, she has some funny stories to tell

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MBB · 29/09/2003 22:27

Thanks for your speedy replies! Yes I have had it before so hopefully will be ok. Will ring NHS direct as suggested.

thanks once again.

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mears · 29/09/2003 22:32

Since you have had chickenpox before will be immune. Don't worry.

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Jimjams · 30/09/2003 08:16

If you've had it before you're OK. And your baby will be born with antibodies so won't catch it from your other son. i would ring your midwife though as chickenpox is actually worse at the later stages of pregnancy and in newborns. I was exposed at the end of pregnancy, I hadn't had chickenpox so they did a blood test for antibodies- I had them anyway - and they said all would be fine. Might be worth asking them to do the blood test just so they know you have the antibodies and therefore the baby will have them as well.

DS1 had chickenpox when ds2 was about 7 months- ds2 didn't catch it so those maternal antibodies must last quite a while and do their job well. If you've had it there will be no problem (if you hadn't had it there wouldn't necesarrily be a problem either but sometimes I think they give something as a caution to protect the baby).

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Jimjams · 30/09/2003 08:17

Just realised that a midwife had already answered anyway. Ignore me. Sorry Mears.

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LIZS · 30/09/2003 11:14

ds caught it when I was 28 weeks but as I'd had it as a child there was no problem. Niece had it when her brother was due (SIL had deliberately exposed her to it) but he did not catch it or require any particular monitoring.

Good luck,

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Snugs · 30/09/2003 12:14

From an infection point of view it is vital that midwife is aware if you are planning for a hospital birth.

I used to work in a microbiology lab and we often had to rush gammaglobulin supplies to the maternity wards because of infections brought in. You and your baby should be absolutely fine, but others on the ward might not have immunity.