Gave birth yesterday and DH has shingles

[peachesandsweets]

Posting this one for more a handhold, but I gave birth to my DS yesterday morning in the hospital. By 8pm that night, a&e had diagnosed DH with shingles that had flared up over the day. We had noticed a very light rash and he'd not been feeling 100% but I swear it came up in hours.

Midwife's immediately escorted DH off the ward as it is full of babies, and I've had to move in with my parents and DD (who's 2) to spend these first precious newborn days away from him while we wait for them to scab over and we can go home again.

Luckily the doctors tested my immunity to chicken pox so hopefully I passed some of that over to the newborn, but I am still utterly terrified.

I'm feeling so lonely and devastated that these precious memories of bringing our new baby home to complete our family have been ruined by this horrible illness. I'm not sure how long it's going to be like this - and I know people go through worse but honestly someone give me something positive to focus on because at the moment I just keep sobbing 😭

This.

Chickenpox is more dangerous for the foetus during pregnancy, so being on a ward with pregnant women is a big risk. Similarly it's dangerous for newborns without antibodies for chickenpox, and they can't test the entire ward.

Thanks Peaches - enjoy your newborn snuggles. Missing the first week or two did not impact on ds and dh's relationship. They are as thick as thieves. Look after yourself 💐

Thanks everyone, interesting to hear what others interpreted this as.

My fear isn't just the newborn, it's also DD who's nearly two and never had chicken pox - so there's that element too of having to run the risk of her catching it, while DH is very unwell and I have a newborn (and recovering from postpartum hemorrage!)

DH has said he can feel scabbing on his scalp so it's just the neck shingles that need to get a move on and clear off!

Oh I feel for you OP, that's really rotten.

Is there any way you can get your two year old to drink some of your breastmilk?

Oh bless you all. Congratulations on arrival of your little one!

The sobbing is hormonal too but i can see it must be so disappointing.

If it’s any consolation I know lots of babies who come through chicken pox barely noticing due to mum’s immunity but I wouldn’t want a 2 yo with chicken pox whilst doing the new born phase. It’s not a picnic especially in hot weather.

Hope your dh can defer his paternity leave and you can all really enjoy the summer with your family 💐

Can you arrange for someone to take DD to get the chicken pox vaccine?

She will get a good amount of protection from the first dose. And I think that if they get the jab after being exposed, it lessens the severity of symptoms if they get it.

Sorry this is such a tough time for you

What rotten luck. I hope he's better soon and the family can get back together.
Ds1 had CP when Ds2 was 6 weeks old. Ds2 never caught it, I remember the doctor saying he should still be protected as I was breastfeeding. But I'd not had CP either. Turned out my mother had CP when she was pregnant with me so I must have had it before being born. I've had shingles so must have.