Chicken pox and pregnancy

[shakeyospeare]

Just the title really - firstly, how do you know it's definitely the dreaded pox? DD doesn't go to nursery but has been around other children. She's got spots on her face and behind her ears, some on her arm. Possibly on back but not yet developed enough to say they're definitely spots, IYSWIM.

Pharmacist said he wasn't sure but gave piriton.

GP advised to call 111 first rather than take her in - which I wouldn't have anyway, but my worry is if it is chicken pox, should I panic as I'm pregnant or is it just a precaution to keep chicken pox riddled children away from pregnant women?

How do you know it's definitely chicken pox and not a viral rash?

How pg are you? That makes a difference. You do need to know. Can GP come to car park and look at her through the car window? Health visitor? Have you googled CP? Mine always started with spots on the chest!

Have you had chickenpox yourself? If so, you are probably immune, and you and the baby will be fine.

Your midwife can check.

If the pharmacist wasn't sure, it may just be too early to tell.

Mine started with one or two red spots, like hives.

The next day there were a few more spots. The typical fluid filled blisters didn't appear until day three or four, and then they were covered in them.

I wouldn't panic at all. Call your midwife, and they'll go through the odds with you.

How far along are you? My 12 week bloods were automatically checked for chicken pox immunity.

Speak to your midwife.

@Wolfiefan I'm 22 weeks pregnant

I had chicken pox when I was a child and older DD has also had it but I just can't remember how it starts - I don't want to end up panicking over nothing, especially if it's viral.

Thanks, all. I'll speak to my midwife and see what she says - more spots/lumps are appearing but none are as bad as the ones on her face.

Poor little bean has nappy rash on top of this so is feeling pretty miserable.

@YoureNotASausage I don't remember if mine were checked for that - is it routine?

I know you're checking with the midwife etc. but as for you child, if it is chickenpox, I can wholeheartedly recommend ViraSoothe cream.

It's about £10 a tube, but we mainly used it on our child's face and hands (they were freaked out by the spots, due to autism) and there was no scarring at all. The arms/legs/ trunk still have red marks, but their face and hands cleared first, and completely.