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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Aargh! Chickenpox exposure at 18 weeks.

11 replies

MrsBloomingTroll · 14/03/2011 17:37

I'm about 18-19 weeks pregnant with DC2.

DD1 is 2.5 and had chickenpox as a small baby, but I was advised that might not make her immune to it. However, she's been exposed to it a few times since then before I got pregnant again and hasn't caught it again, so I thought we were fine.

On Thursday she was exposed to it at a creche (I didn't know until it was too late - would have thought twice about leaving her there if I had known, due to pregnancy).

DD1 has now developed a few suspicious-looking spots which could just be a viral rash. They don't look 100% like chickenpox to me (heads are yellowy rather than translucent) and haven't got any worse or spread in the past 24 hours, so maybe it's a mild dose.

FWIW, I had chickenpox as a child. But I'm going out of my mind with worry for my unborn DC2, especially after reading the NHS Direct website and the damage that can be done to a pre-20-week unborn child.

The NHS Direct website advises seeking GP help (no chance of that on a Monday - no appointments) and that I may need to be tested for immunity as well as taking a course of drugs. I just wondered if anyone else has been through this, what you were told, and just how seriously I should be taking this?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 14/03/2011 17:43

You are likely to be immune if you've had it as a child and been exposed to it since and didn't get it. It doesn't sound like what your DD has now is chicken pox. Ring up Dr tomorrow though and ask for an emergency appt even if its with the nurse - all you need for now is the blood test to check immunity.

strawberrie · 14/03/2011 18:20

I'm 20 weeks and have just found out that one of my DDs friends (who we saw on Friday) has pox spots today. NHS choices website suggests that I need to see GP immediately etc, but I had chicken pox in childhood, and I've definitely had the midwife mention in this pregnancy that I've got immunity (can't remember if this came from my booking bloods or from my previous pregnancy).

So I called the community midwives today and they confirmed that I don't need to do anything. I hope that's of some reassurance.

Crawling · 14/03/2011 18:33

I have not had chicken pox, and neither has DS it is raging around his school, how serious is chicken pox in pg? Is there anything I can do?

Original poster
MrsBloomingTroll · 14/03/2011 20:54

Viva and strawberrie, thank you, that is reassuring! I will give the midwives a call tomorrow (didn't think of that today - kept DD1 at home from nursery as a precaution and she's been quite a handful).

Unfortunately our GP is one of those where you have to have something they do consider a real "emergency" before you can get a same-day appointment. Lots of old dears around here who seem to have the monopoly on appointments. Hmm

Crawling the NHS website suggests it's potentially very dangerous before 20 weeks and then again at the end of your pregnancy. As for what you can do, the website suggests contacting your GP to check if you are immune to chickenpox and there are supposedly drugs to minimise the risk to your unborn child if needed.

As I say, I kept DD1 off nursery today as a precaution because I know there are some other expectant mums of her classmates and I don't want to put them at the same risk. I will check DD1 again in the morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBloomingTroll · 15/03/2011 07:45

Has anyone tried the chickenpox jab, either for themselves or DC?

Has to be done privately in the UK, but I'm willing to pay for the peace of mind!

OP posts:
Crawling · 15/03/2011 07:49

I am thinking of it do you know how much it costs?

JJWMummy · 15/03/2011 08:26

It costs about £50, but you can't have it done during pregnancy, no reason not to get little ones done though, might give you a fighting chance of keeping clear of it.

HTH

Pootletrinket · 15/03/2011 08:28

I didn't have chickenpox as a child and DD got it when I was 15 weeks pg; MW tested (for varicella?) and I have immunity - therefore no need to worry for unborn child. My understanding is that you will pass on your immunity - better to get the test than have the vaccine first, I would have thought

Crawling · 15/03/2011 08:42

Thanks I may get the test and if no immunity get DS vaccinated that way I am less likely to catch it.

Original poster
MrsBloomingTroll · 15/03/2011 11:12

Well, I've spoken to the midwife and she says there is no need to worry/be tested/take drugs as long as I've had chickenpox, which I 100% know I have had (I've got the scars as a reminder).

They only bring mums-to-be in for tests if they're not sure they've had it. The risks are minute otherwise.

Thanks JJWMummy I might get DD vaccinated. We had her done for swine flu privately, so are already registered with a private GP for that kind of stuff.

Poor DD, I promised her the lady wouldn't "hurt" her again for a while! Grin

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Original poster
MrsBloomingTroll · 16/03/2011 17:25

Another update after talking to the private GP/clinic.

DD would need two jabs for chickenpox at an eye-watering £110 each. Shock

Alternatively, I can take her for a blood test at £75, but that also needs two appointments. One at the clinic and the second one at a hospital to take the blood.

Do I really want to put her through a blood test at her age?

Has anyone else done this? Or had the jab? Jabs are "easier" I think, but the cost...

Gah!

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