Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Over chicken pox and pregnancy?

28 replies

Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 19:22

I may be overreacting as it's taken 3 years and a load of fertility treatment to achieve this pregnancy and I am generally quite anxious.

I am a TA and unfortunately I've never had chicken pox. I guess it was inevitable that at some point id come across it whilst pregnant. Two of the children in the class below mine have come down with it. Their classroom is next door and they share a playground / lunch hall / toilets with my class so I suspect it may well only be a matter of time before someone in my class gets it. I also come across some of the children in the class below through groups / assembly etc.
I know I'm definitely not immune as I've had tests previously and in addition to this I have an autoimmune condition which makes me more vulnerable to the effects of any illness.

I'm so so worried about it. I can't bear the thought that anything might happen to my baby and I feel like I'm putting myself in the line of fire. I'm considering not going in tomorrow until I've spoken to my midwife to talk about the risks. I do appreciate I could pick up the virus anywhere but I think I stand a greater chance by going into the classroom and it's transmitted very easily through coughs / sneezes.

Aibu? Is it a total overreaction?

OP posts:
LunchpackOfNotreDame · 22/09/2015 19:24

Speak to the midwife and ask if it's worth having the vaccination considering your circumstances

You're not over reacting at all imo

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 19:25

I can't have the vaccine whilst pregnant because it's a live vaccine.

OP posts:
FrancesNiadova · 22/09/2015 19:31

Go see your Dr or midwife. YANBU, you are just being concerned for your own baby.
When pregnant, if you work with dangerous chemicals or in a dangerous physical job, you can have your work changed. In this case, you could be moved to a different part of the school.
Talk to your Dr/Mw & also your union, then take a friend with you & go see the head.
CONGRATULATIONS on your pregnancy FlowersStarFlowers

Hendoisthecaptain · 22/09/2015 19:31

I sympathise OP. How many weeks pregnant are you?

bumbleymummy · 22/09/2015 19:32

I was just about to ask the same thing Hendo.

Nectarines · 22/09/2015 19:36

In similar circumstances I was told I'd be offered an injection of immunoglobulin. Not sure what it is, I didn't end up having it.

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 19:38

I'm 21 weeks.
My understanding is the immunoglobulin is not without risk.
I don't think I will go in until I've spoken to my midwife.

OP posts:
HippyChickMama · 22/09/2015 19:42

Chickenpox is only a risk to the baby if you have it in the last few weeks of pregnancy. This is the RCOG advice

www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/chickenpox-in-pregnancy/?gclid=CKb-7e6ki8gCFSkYwwodOGkBdg

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 19:55

Is it more dangerous to me when pregnant I wonder though?

OP posts:
StormyLlewelyn · 22/09/2015 20:11

The risk of complications to you, such as pneumonia, are higher in pregnancy.

I've never had chickenpox so researched this like a woman possessed when pregnant with DC1 (also after three years of TTC and a mc).

Book in to see your GP or MW and ask for a blood test to check your immunity. It turned out that I am naturally immune, dome people are or they contract CP without ever realising as they don't get any visible spots. So the very first thing would be to find out if you're immune. If you are then, happy days, you don't need to worry about it. If you aren't then, as a PP has said, speak to your union and go see the head. They need to take reasonable steps to protect your and the baby's health, this includes safeguarding you from infection - before I found out I was immune I was out on paid leave as there was CP in the building where I worked and they had to be sure I wouldn't catch it.

Bulbasaur · 22/09/2015 20:15

Talk to your doctor, see what they recommend. I can't imagine they wouldn't let you take a couple sick days if you need them to avoid catching it.

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 20:23

I will speak to the GP. I'm definitely not immune sadly as I've had a blood test previously to check. I very much wish I was. I love my job and feel bad about letting them down if I don't go in, I'm sure they'll think it's a terrible overreaction. But what if I catch it? I'll kick myself for taking the risk.

OP posts:
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 20:27

Reminds me of the time I had an ante natal appt and had been there hours with dd who had c pox
I felt so guilty and they had to contact everyone to let them know they had been exposed to it

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 22/09/2015 20:28

But what are you meant to do if you have been exposed to it? What did all those ladies do? Just sit it out and hope for the best?

OP posts:
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 20:35

I'm not sure. I felt awful though. Did had been fine when I got there the wait was ages.
Towards the end she was restless and as we left I noticed a blister on her forehead. The place had been packed

The midwife said they would let people know. If they'd caught it though I'm not sure they could have done anything to stop it developing,
? Is the c pox vaccine allowed in pg ?

mintteaforme · 22/09/2015 20:49

Poor you OP, I sympathise.

I have no immunity to chickenpox (and this is in spite of having the vaccine before conceiving!) I'm now 9 weeks pregnant. On week 5 I came into contact with chickenpox via my DS, who caught it in nursery, and I had the immunoglobulin you mention. It worked.

So, the first thing to remember is that whatever happens, if you come into contact with an infected child there is something out there that can mitigate the risk to you and the baby (furthermore, the consultant I saw in hospital said that immunoglobulin posed no risk to the baby. It simply boosts your antibodies).

What's more, IF you are unfortunate enough to come down with chickenpox you can be given a dose of acyclovir which is an antiviral drug. Again, there are no known side effects for the baby. With both treatments, speed is key - ideally you need the immunoglobulin within 3 days of exposure, and acyclovir on the first day of the rash (if you develop chickenpox). To put your mind at rest (a little) I suggest you talk to your GP about how quickly he / she can get a dose of both medicines for you, should you ever need them.

WIth regards to work, in your position I would be making sure that the school looked into minimising the risk to you and your baby asap, and I would not be setting foot in the place until I knew that everything was being done to keep me as safe as possible. Outline the possible issues you and the baby could develop if you come down with chickenpox and they most definitely WON'T think you're over-reacting.

Good luck

SquinkiesRule · 22/09/2015 21:55

I had chicken pox before I was born. My Mum caught it from my big sister in her second trimester. She and I had both got over it before I was born.
I never caught it again, I have had shingles as an adult though.

MrsRabbit21 · 23/09/2015 08:23

DS1 caught chicken pox when I was 16wks with DS2. I had just got the results back from the blood test which I had done, once I knew CP was going around DS1's nursery, and I had the immunoglobulin injection that day.

I came out in a mild dose of CP about 2 weeks later, some spots, slight fever. Obviously a worrying time but DS2 was fine and is now over 6ft!

I would definitely talk to your GP and your head teacher. I have been a TA since, I'm sure school will be supportive.

Get all the facts so you can make an informed decision.

wonkylegs · 23/09/2015 08:32

I am in a similar boat to you, except I have had CP before but haven't developed an immunity to it thanks to a screwy immune system.
I had my DS immunised to reduce my exposure as I can't be immunised (that screwy immune system) , when someone at work was exposed I was allowed to not come in due to the risks.
Last time I was pregnant I went through what to do if exposed with my GP and notes we added to my handheld notes
I guess that will happen again this time but I'm yet to meet my midwife so we'll see.
Go speak to the school and see what they suggest.

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 23/09/2015 08:41

School have been fine, they say I've no choice but to stay away.

The only problem with the immunoglobulin is I think it makes you contagious and I think it only lasts three weeks. So ds would probably then catch chicken pox from me and then I could catch it back from him. There's no easy answer! I might stay inside my house with a hazmat suit on.

Got a GP appointment this morning. Thank you for all the advice and stories. I'm still very worried and don't know what to do for the best.

OP posts:
Onthematleavecountdown · 23/09/2015 09:01

I'd you knew you weren't inmune why didn't you have the vaccination prior to treatment? It's a matter of just a few hundred pounds at a private clinic.

Onthematleavecountdown · 23/09/2015 09:02

If you knew*

Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 23/09/2015 09:03

I couldn't find anywhere locally that did it. My GP wasn't very forthcoming with advice.

And I never expected to get pregnant!

OP posts:
Original poster
Sweetcharlotterose · 23/09/2015 09:03

The treatment all failed by the way. I'd given up. This pregnancy happened naturally.

OP posts:
Fatfreefaff · 23/09/2015 09:04

One of my children had immunoglobulin as a new born as someone on the labour ward had chicken pox. I had never had it and did not catch it.

I caught it a year later when DD had it in time for her first birthday. It is really horrible as an adult - have the vaccine if possible after you give birth.

BTW DD had shingles at age 7.