Slapped Cheek

[FallenAngel89]

Just found out DS 4 has slapped cheek and I am 16 weeks pregnant. I didn't know the risks to the baby and feel like the reading up about it has made me even more anxious! I'm going to ring MW tomorrow Asap. Has anyone else experienced this during pregnancy? 🙁

[Ekphrasis]

Yes though it was work place exposure. You need to be tested for immunity, in which case you'll be fine. If you're not immune they test you again in 3-4 weeks to see if you've developed the illness and they will monitor baby. Baby isn't necessarily going to get it from you though; there's loads of varying %s, but it is worrying I know.

Being further on at 16 weeks is better than say 9 weeks, iirc around 20/22 weeks is classed as not really a worry. Do you do need the tests and hopefully are immune.

I think patient. Co .uk are usually a good source, they have a patient page and a professional page.

[FallenAngel89]

Thank you! My Mum has got back to me this morning and she doesn't seem to think I've had it but from what I can tell it's sometimes difficult to actually know as it can just be put down to a cold.
I'm just trying to think positive as I don't want to stress the baby and get in touch with the MW. At present I have DS with slapped cheek and DD with croup, its exhausting! 🙈

[Ekphrasis]

Oh no! That is exhausting. Hope they both get better soon.

Yes, the issues are that not all children or adults get full symptoms but can still pass the virus on (I think - I remember that bit worried me) possibly as it can seem just like a sniffle. They never asked me for symptoms etc just looked at immune markers in the blood which show either long term immunity or recent infection. As the incubation period is 21 (? Or 28?) days they will test you again after that time IF you're not immune.

If you're immune, it's all fine. But you may not have a clue. I wasn't despite teaching for quite a few years.

That should coincide with your 20 week scan so it might be worth asking your midwife (or gp but mw might be quicker) if you can chat to a consultant or dr then if it turns out you're not immune and been infected. The initial test can take a few days to come back sometimes.

It's a worry (I lost my marbles over it, but all was well) but not necessarily a definitely bad outcome or that baby will definitely get ill if you're not immune. They can be at risk of fetal hydrops iirc but you would be closely monitored .

I'm sure there's been threads on here where baby was affected but absolutely fine; I think the biggest risk is simply not knowing you caught it and so monitoring etc, but you're going to follow their advice and get the tests etc.

I'd inform the school / nursery who have to inform staff and I think parents too.

I hope all goes well

[Bez9087]

My dd had this when I was 9 weeks pregnant with twins and then my ds caught it the week later when I was 10 weeks. Had bloods done to check and confirmed I was immune to it. Most people are immune as like you said such a common virus and once had it you then don’t get it again. Try not to worry I know easier said than done.

[Ekphrasis]

I would actually make a gp appointment as they need to follow the guidance and organise tests. I'm not sure if the mw can do much.

A big part of this is the anxiety which needs to be taken as seriously. Try not to google but follow the guidance on nhs and from the gp. It's rare in reality to reach baby - there used to be statistics on a government work place health website but the last government got rid of it.

[Buxbaum]

Talk to your midwife. My DD had it when I was at a similar gestation to you. It will probably be possible to get your booking-in bloods checked for antibodies, but if not the blood test is pretty quick.

Please know that there is a very good chance that you have had it previously. You wouldn't necessarily know as it doesn't always present with the rash.

[FallenAngel89]

Told school this morning and the response was "oh I'm not sprites a lot of children have had it"
Midwife didn't answer so rang GP and he's sorted bloods and said he'll get the results today or tomorrow and let me know so that's a relief! Fingers crossed I'm immune.
Thank you everyone

[FallenAngel89]

*not suprised