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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Chicken Pox - am I safe?!

20 replies

Pootletrinket · 19/10/2010 10:24

Am 15 weeks pregnant and not had Chicken Pox myself, neither has 4 year old DD. Just found out one of her nursery buddies has got it (her best friend) but she's not seen him since last Tuesday and I think, from google, that he was infectious for 3 days before his rash started - am checking with his Mum when this was, but she's still at nursery (and was last Weds and Thurs and today) and he's bound to not be the only one who gets is, right?!

Not sure what to do for best - is there any point in taking her out of nursery? Or too late? Anything I can do to safeguard myself? eek!

TIA!

OP posts:
anonymousbrainsnatcher · 19/10/2010 10:27

It can take two weeks for chicken pox to come out. No point in keeping her out unless she gets it (and you'll know if she does!). She may not of course, but don't take any chances.

The most important thing is that you don't get it. Talk to your doctor immediately. If your DD does have it incubating, very soon she will be infectious and you have to protect yourself. How you do that, exactly, I cannot advise, someone else will be along hopefully with something more concrete.

Can you minimise physical contact with DD? Have you got someone who can help you whilst you wait to see if DD has it or not?

Good luck, I hope she hasn't got it and therefore you are not at risk yourself.

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 19/10/2010 10:41

Can't really minimise physical contact with DD, she's very much a Mummy's girl (and spent 10 mins clinging to me like limpet in nursery today) - am also worried for poor girl, it's her b'day party next weekend!!!! But more just keeping fingers and toes crossed that it's not about to spread like wildfire around nursery!

OP posts:
newmum2 · 19/10/2010 10:58

Hi this happened to me 2 weeks ago. I was told to go to the Health Centre for a blood test to see if i have any immunity to chicken pox. The results came back and i have no immunity to it.

So far my DS hasnt caught it but 2 in his childminders had it.

I was told to phone the Health Centre if he developed it and i would be started on antibiotics.

Check with your mw or drs.

anonymousbrainsnatcher · 19/10/2010 11:15

Pootle - I know what you mean about a Mummy's girl but if you get it, chickenpox can be very problematic for a pregnant lady, as I am sure you know.

Fingers crossed, but do speak to relevant health people asap. You might be able to take something (as new mum says) that lessens chances, or you may have natural immunity, some people do.

But get it checked. NOW.

I had shingles mid pregnancy (both times), and although that could not harm baby, all my mw visits and scans became very complicated because of the potential risk of me coming into contact with other pg women and the health people - surgery, hospital etc took it VERY seriously. Separate rooms, separate equipment, I had to be put in isolation and everything! To obviously make sure no one got the virus from me that could have turned into chicken pox.

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 19/10/2010 11:17

Am visiting MW tmw morning anyway - is this soon enough? Would be tough to get seen before then, I think.

OP posts:
nickytwotimes · 19/10/2010 11:21

I had it at 32 wks. luckily i was fine, but very worrying.

first, get a blood test for it at gps. a lot of people are immune without realising ut.

next, if your dd gets it and you are not immune, then you can be given the immunoglobin to minimise or even prevent it.

third, if you do get it, you would be given anti viral drugs to minimise effects.

even worst case scenario, the risks are low, so try not to get in a state about it.

easier said than done!

good luck

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 19/10/2010 16:47

Thanks nicky, will liaise with MW tmw; spoke to GP's today and they were useless!

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BagofHolly · 19/10/2010 16:55

I had a similar sitution and was also on steroids as well as being pregnant and was told that if I had no immunity I'd need an infusion of immunoglobulin. I'm not sure why you've been told you'd need ABs as it's a virus. It's a Big Deal sadly, so please do get it checked out, along with your antibody status.

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 20/10/2010 09:20

eek - just had 2 more confirmed cases in her nursery room. My 10.30 appointment can't come quick enough; hoping they're going to take it seriously and act quickly!

OP posts:
BagofHolly · 20/10/2010 10:06

Flipping heck! My ds's nursery was the same, they had about 6 cases in a week and were incredibly blasé about it. If you're not taken seriously then do insist on being seen by someone else. Fwiw, I've never had proper chicken pox and was seriously crapping myself at this nursery outbreak, when I was only just pregnant. I had the antibodies test and tested positive so at some point I must have had a tiny dose of it, just a few spots and that was enough. True lack of immunity is quite rare but serious.

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 20/10/2010 10:11

That's what I'm hoping, but leaving now, so we'll see! (also hoping DD has some mild immunity, but just before her 4th b'day? unlikely methinks!)

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BagofHolly · 21/10/2010 17:40

Just wondered how you'd got on. Hope you're ok and have secret antibodies!

flowerfairy · 21/10/2010 18:05

Sorry to hi jack thread but need some chicken pox advice too. Am 21+5 wks, have had chicken pox as a child. But am off to a family get together at the weekend and one of the cousins wives has suspected chicken pox. She is offering not to come if i am at all bothered by it.

BagofHolly · 21/10/2010 19:34

Flowerfairy, your cousin's wife should stay at home in any event, regardless of whether you're pregnant! It's a really rotten infectious disease and can kill! Even someone who has had it can become immunosuppressed for various reasons (being on steroids, chemotherapy etc) or come into contact with someone who is immunocompromised and CP could kill them!

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 22/10/2010 07:54

Thanks Holly; she took blood and results will either be back today or Monday - she wasn't that phased by it, and was totally unaware of what would happen if I didn't have antibodies etc etc - but said she'd never met anyone who hasn't had them

OP posts:
Original poster
Pootletrinket · 23/10/2010 19:50

OK, well DD has it I suspect - what started off as pin prick spots on her chest last night are now bigger and she has a cluster in each underarm. DH getting calamine, am trying to stay clear but hoping MW will ring tme (her first day back in since she took blood) to tell me if I have antibodies - and hoping she's found out what to do if I don't or I'll have to get on the phone to on-call GPs!

OP posts:
Chucklecheeks · 23/10/2010 21:51

Slightly off thread but try Virasoothe for your daughter instead of calamine, Calamine is great until it dries and then adds to the itchiness. My DD used virasoothe after recommended by a friend and it worked a treat xx

Original poster
Pootletrinket · 24/10/2010 07:10

Brilliant, thanks - DH got some of that as well as the calamine but so far she's not let us put anything on!

OP posts:
Original poster
Pootletrinket · 24/10/2010 12:45

Got the news - have the antibodies! Thanks for the input everyone!

OP posts:
BagofHolly · 24/10/2010 17:50

Hurray! That's great news! You must be so relieved!

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