Pregnancy and chicken pox

5 replies

notlettingthefearshow · 17/05/2011 22:05

I'm 8 weeks pg, never had chicken pox, neither has husband. Last week he came into contact with a child with the pox - phoned doctor straight away who advised him to stay away for 21 days (incubation period). He's had a blood test so if it shows he's immune, he'll be able to move back in, but if not - another 17 days to go!

so ... he's staying with my parents (immune) for the time being, while I am home alone. Surreal for him, and hard for me as I have nasty ms (random nausea throughout the day) and also feeling quite weepy and hormonal. I haven't told people at work yet but there are rumours going around about me having the pox, and I'm having to fend off people's concerns along with everything else!

Please tell me someone else has been in a similarly daft situation?! I don't know if we're being overcautious, although I know chicken pox is dangerous for pregnant women. It's so hard living apart from OH. And it's only been 4 days so far!

OP posts:

ShowOfHands · 17/05/2011 22:09

Have you had your immunity tested?

A friend had chicken pox in her first trimester (v badly) and her 19yo baby is just fine.

It does take some degree of prolonged contact to spread and I think even if you're not immune, it's unlikely that you'll catch it and there are things they can do if it looks like you're going to end up with it.

Fingers crossed for you.

bethylou · 17/05/2011 22:16

I'm not sure that Showofhands is right (sorry SOH). I'd get yourself tested anyway so that you won't be worried again during the pregnancy.

Liliana1 · 17/05/2011 22:17

I'm a teacher and we had chicken pox going round the school. A colleague is pg (1st tri) and was advised not to be in school until she had a blood test to see if her immunity was ok - she had the results in about 2/3 days and all was fine so she returned to work. Could you get tested and if you're ok then surely it would be ok for DH to return home?

Hope you are ok, my Dh works away and it sucks :( However in the big scheme of things it's only a few weeks and you would never forgive yourself if the very unlikely happened IYSWIM.

Take care and hope you get a positive answer soon xx

Liliana1 · 17/05/2011 22:22

Sorry about all the ok's, I'm tired and my grasp on language seems to be failing me!!!

ShowOfHands · 17/05/2011 23:10

Not right about what? I was exposed to chicken pox when pregnant but briefly. GP said it usually takes more than being in the same room briefly (if I'd held/carried the child with it, it would have been different), most people are immune (ordered immediate immunity test) and that even if it came to it, there were things they could do. Thankfully I was immune.

Chicken pox in pregnancy IS dangerous, more so at some times than others and as I said, checking her own immunity is what the op should be doing. One step at a time.

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