Chickenpox and Pregnancy

[mum18772]

My 2 yr old son had chicken pox and I am 7 1/2 months pg - is there any danger to me and my baby - what happens if I catch them - I have already had chicken pox as a child - what are the chances? Concerned!

[Pelvicfloornomorechocolate]

If you have already had it then should be ok and especially if your baby is quite mature.

[Frizbe]

My Dr did say to me, when I was exposed in 2nd tri, that 1st and 3rd tri's were worst to get it in, and the nhs direct webiste link backs this up.

[SlightlyMadSpringBunny]

If you had chicken pos as a child you are unlikely to catch it again. If you do get it get to your GP ASAP as they will give you some anti-virals which will reduce teh severity.

Firstly, if the mother has definitely had chicken-pox, there is no risk to the baby or her. In any case, even if she doesn't recall having had chicken pox, it is likely she has antibodies (80% do) from a silent (asymptomatic) infection. So if there's any doubt about it, she should see a doctor for a blood test to check if she's immune.

Risks to the baby are important at the following two times, if mum gets chicken-pox:

1. Before 20 weeks - risk of chicken pox syndrome. This is actually quite rare. Up until 14 weeks the risk is about 0.4%, whereas between 14-20 weeks it is 2%. If a woman has VZ-Ig treatment (see below) after being exposed, the risk is even lower.

1. Mum's rash developing within a week before delivery to a month afterwards. It takes about a week for mum to pass the protective antibodies to the baby, so if born before that time, the babe is at risk of overwhelming infection after birth.

Between 20 weeks and term there is no risk to the baby. The other big risk of chicken pox is to the mother. She is much more likely, during pregnancy, to get a chicken pox pneumonia (10%) which can be very severe (even life-threatening).

from here

[lizziemun]

As Pelvicfloornomorechocolate has said i was told by my doctor as i had already had chicken pox that i would be ok.

1st pregnancy i was 7 1/2 months when exposed.

This time i was about 10weeks when exposed this time.

[mum18772]

Thanks for the advice everyone - feel more reassured now and the nhs web link was useful - will just keep my fingers crossed! More devastated that my son will miss out on his 2nd birthday party this friday!!

[Holly29]

I don't think I've got anything to add to what has been said other than to say that my DH had chickenpox just after we had conceived (and I didn't know) - I was recently tested by blood test for immunity and I am not immune, so as it is said below I have a 0.4% chance of something being wrong with the baby as a result. If you're worried, have a blood test to check your immunity. Take care. x

[kiteflying]

I had a blood test for immunity and found I was not immune when I was TTC. They advise a month break between having the vaccine and trying again, so I did not have it (IVF cycle was timed to close) and now regret it as I am avoiding small children all through this pregnancy and it is not that easy even for a first timer.

I asked the GP about having the vaccine when breastfeeding as I don't want my second pregnancy to be full of the same child-avoidance tactics but apparently it is a no-no.

Does anyone know how soon a child/baby can be vaccinated, so that at least I will not have to worry about my first child bringing the infection home to me when pregnant with number two?