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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Exposed the chicken pox/shingles in pregnancy

18 replies

mama2plusbump · 02/01/2011 20:54

Please help calm me down. Im 29 weeks pregnancy and dh has more then likely got shingles/chicken pox.
I have had it as a chikd but so has he.im now panicing abt dds and my unborn baby.

Please reassure me

Anyone else been exposed and not had it!? What happen if you contracted it.

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SaraL77 · 02/01/2011 21:10

hi there,

if you've had it as a child then you shouldn't get it again as your immune system will have built up immunity from being exposed he first time. I'm surprised your DH has it now if he's had it before- unless he's just got shingles and not the CP? As far as I know shingles is a slightly different virus that can lay dormant hence getting it again as an adult?

You shouldn't get it if you had it as a child, and if it makes you feel any better, I hadn't had it as a child and got it with my DS1 (last pregnancy) at around the same time as you 29-30 weeks. there is a 0% risk of anything happening to your baby so don't worry! The risk period is during early pregnancy and late- i.e. when around 37 wks onwards or when in labour as you can then pass it onto your unborn child. The worst thing for me was putting up with the horrid itchy blisters- they were all over my poor bump!

So I hope this eases your panic. Try not to worry, it should be fine.

bb99 · 02/01/2011 21:16

My MW told me I should be fine, after exposure from a nephlett...as I had had it during childhood.

Have you got anything on your blood tests to show immunity - I think some of my blood tests showed immunity to chicken pox, tho not sure which?

Have you called your MW for re-assurance? I know they vary, mine have been great.

EthelredRedRobin · 02/01/2011 21:18

Just to reassure you, I was also exposed to someone who had it at work when I was a fair way through my PG. Rang mw in a panic who said, if you've already had it, you will be fine.

Original poster
mama2plusbump · 02/01/2011 21:19

Thank you...we are not sure what he has its one or the other...

Thank you sara i have complicated pregnancies so this is the last thing i needed.

I just read risk to preterm labour and panicked alot.

OP posts:
Original poster
mama2plusbump · 02/01/2011 21:21

Yes i hAve had it but my db got it twice so im not sure on the whole im immune thing.

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CardyMow · 02/01/2011 22:17

While there is a lower risk during the middle trimester, I can attest firsthand to the fact that the risk level is not 0%. I won't upset anyone here with my story, but my advice would be to go to your GP, ask for a blood test to check your immunity, and they may put you on anti-virals as a preventative measure.

SaraL77 It is quite irresponsible to tell people that there is Zero risk from exposure to the CP/shingles virus (which is the same virus) when that is untrue.

Please, OP, go to your GP and get tested for immunity. It is better to be safe than sorry. All the best.

CURLYMAMMA · 02/01/2011 22:21

I had shingles at around 15 weeks. I was told because I had had CP as a child I would be fine. I vaguely remember something like there is only a risk if you have never had CP, and even then at only certain times of pregnancy. I got an extra detailled scan too because of it.

frikadela · 02/01/2011 22:44

You should be fine if you had it as a child

And FYI If your DH had chicken pox as a child then he more than likely has shingles now. This is the chicken pox virus which lays dormant in your body until something triggers it... It isnt clear how it is triggered but it is not contagious.

I work in an elderly care home and was exposed to three seperate instances of shingles whilst pregnant and was advised each time that there was no risk of me or anyone else catching it.

Original poster
mama2plusbump · 02/01/2011 22:45

Loudass im so sorry sounds like things went wrong for you...im going to ring go and hospital on tiesday and go with that.

I have defo had chicken pox as a child i know that for a fact...

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Original poster
mama2plusbump · 02/01/2011 22:47

Frik thats reassuring that shingles isnt contagious.
Thank you
Sorry for typos im on the phone

OP posts:
frikadela · 02/01/2011 23:00

My pleasure. I remember how ever last little infection or illness the residents got while i was pregnant had me running for phone to ring the midwife... until my mum reminded me that I am a nurse with a midwife for a sister and should know better Grin

Still, a little reassurance goes a long way.

SaraL77 · 03/01/2011 18:29

Hi Loudlass, I was told by my GP that there was 0% risk to the baby during the 2nd trimester, so if you have better information than a GP then I'm sorry for misleading anyone. I was also put on anti-virals to reduce the length of the illness.

hope all goes well mama2plusbump- just trying to help by easing your worry Smile

Original poster
mama2plusbump · 03/01/2011 21:39

Im in my third termister.
Dh is waiting blood test results will take it from there.

Thank you guys

OP posts:
CardyMow · 03/01/2011 23:46

It's not 'better' information, but firsthand information. I'm quite sure if you look through previous AIBU threads about CP you will be able to find my story without me having to spell it out in an area of MN where people may be far more sensitive to bad outcomes.

mama2plusbump I'm glad you have had blood tests, and I hope they will show you to be immune to the CP/shingles virus.

Original poster
mama2plusbump · 04/01/2011 14:42

they wouldn't do a bloodtest on DH today, GP said looks like chicken pox.

i rang maternity ward told to come in tomorrow for a blood test to check immunity for me.

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babyduesoon · 04/01/2011 15:20

Another anecdote - my mother had chicken pox when she was pregnant with me, at what I think is the riskiest time, at around 12 weeks. Doctor said that I'd be "a vegetable" (nice) and that if he wasn't Catholic he'd advise an abortion. She continued with the pregnancy anyway, and I'm fine (and I did better in school than my sister! Not that we're competitive or anything...Blush)

I just wanted to share a positive story - it's so easy to forget that a risk is just a risk, and not a definitive statement of what will happen. (Sorry if that sound patronising - have been chanting that to myself virtually constantly for the last approx 9 months now...)

Best of luck with everything.

Original poster
mama2plusbump · 04/01/2011 15:27
Smile
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Original poster
mama2plusbump · 05/01/2011 14:31

They wont test my immunity!!! As i have had it before we still dont know exactly whay dh has he is going to demand a bloodtest tomorrow for himself

Loudlass can u message me what happened with you please?

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