Chicken Pox

[Jenba]

I'm 29 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby and have just come out in chicken pox. I was exposed to a little girl when she was very contagious a couple of weeks ago. Went to Dr for blood test and had antibodies 10 days ago but was told I still might get a mild case of it.

Has anyone else had any experience of chicken pox in pregnancy. I had a really rotten week last week with my DS being very poorly and now I feel rubbish and spotty and itchy. Hopefully I will only get mild case but has anyone had this after receiving anti bodies? How long will I feel bad for?

thanks in advance for any advice

Jenba x

[lljkk]

Somebody on my antenatal thread got it about half way thru she had it mildly and was fine, really baby was fine, too.
But, you really need to talk to MW, I know that in a very small number of cases cp can be a significant problem in pregnancy.

[dizzydixies]

I was exposed when pregnant and was assured by the consultant that its only an issue right at the very early stages of pregnancy or if you are to give birth imminently which by the sounds of it you're not.

crap that you're feeling so rotten though - I had it as an adult (not when pregnant) and it was horrible. I used Nelsons Tea Tree Antiseptic cream on the spots and it was wonderful so if you can get your hands on that to try it please do

hope you feel better soon

[fullup]

Contact your doctor ASAP and they should give you Aciclovir which will reduce the symptoms It needs to be started sooner rather than later to be effective. I had it at 37 weeks and found out that as long as I did not give birth within 3 weeks of having it the baby should be OK. He is now 2 and fit and healthy.

[fullup]

How are you feeling now Jenba?

[Akiandme]

I had chicken pox at 18 weeks pregnant. I had it quite badly and was off work for 4 weeks. It can lead to problems, and it was a very stressful time, but baby was fine. She did get shingles at 4 months though, which is another side effect. Wishing you well and hope you feel better soon.

[sonsmum]

i had chicken pox at 8 weeks.....i had the immunoglobulin injection, which i think enabled me to have a mild case of the pox. i was ill for about 2 weeks....bed bound, nausea, spots etc
had extra scans through pregnancy, all looked fine.
DD is now 2.5 weeks and seems perfect
There is a risk to foetus (0.1-0.2%) so very low risk, but risk increases right before birth.
good luck.....you have some antibodies so you may not get it...