Arrrghhh! Baby due any day and DC1 got chickenpox

[BigmommaD]

Went to doctor this morning and he suspects DC1 has chickenpox but need to leave a few days for proper diagnosis. I know it is highly likely, as been told by nursery its doing rounds and spotty rash is appearing on torso and face this evening.

I've had chickenpox when I was little so hopefully have immunity but reason for posting is will my newborn be ok and immune? I'm due any day now!

Please help and calm my nerves/ panics! Thanks

DD had chickenpox while I was heavily pregnant with DS. Doc said that there was no risk whatsoever - I think it can be slightly risky early on in the pregnancy, but if you've had it then there should be no problem. Good luck with the birth!

Sorry, just re-read your post. I think the baby will be fine as they have quite a lot of immunity when they're first born. If he/she does get it then it will probably be really, really mild.

am sure newborn will be fine, esp if you are breastfeeding as you will pass immunity on.

Thanks for your advice and best wishes Surprise, I'm worried that with DC still in contagious phase that when I give birth, DC2 would be at risk?

Googled and found that breastfeeding helps, hope this is true!

Thanks both, my post overlaps yours!

Yes as long as you've had it the baby should have immunity and your breastfeeding will boost that. In any case your dc will have been most infectious over the last few days before the spots. They will still be infectious for a few days but less so I believe. Dd3 had it a few weeks ago - spots appeared late on the Tuesday and all dried up by the Sunday.

The biggest time of risk to the baby is if you or baby catch it in the 2 weeks either side of birth. So you are right at that time.

HOWEVER there is little (or at least minimal) risk if you have previously had it - for both you and the baby.

Here is what teh NHS have to say about it

thanks again, I'm hoping as I've had chickenpox baby will be fine. Hopefully be able to breastfeed.

I'm also hoping Northern that chickenpox with DC1 comes and goes very quickly!

Very newly born babies getting chicken pox isn't great but hopefully your dc will be fine. Let's hope they stay inside fir a little while longer.

DS got chicken pox when DD was 4 weeks. Was tokd that as I was breastfeeding and she was very small that she wouldn't get it but she got it at 6 weeks. She was fine, very spotty but not ill at all.