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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Anything to worry about?

13 replies

sweetheart · 01/12/2005 16:22

A friend has just rung up and said that he has been to the Dr today and they told him he has shingles.

We had dinner with him on Saturday night which is apparently around when he would have been most contagious.

I'm 39 + 4 today. I had chicken pox as a child so I should be OK right?????? Or do I need to phone the Dr or midwife?

OP posts:

ninah · 01/12/2005 16:25

I think you should be OK but no harm phoning NHS Direct to set your mind at rest sh
P and dss both had full blown Pox when I was in the early stages, I also had it when child and I think is OK

AwayInAMunker · 01/12/2005 16:26

I know someone whose older children had chicken pox when her baby was born - the baby was fine.

Socci · 01/12/2005 16:27

Message withdrawn

thecattleareALOHing · 01/12/2005 16:30

You should be fine as you are usually immune if you've had it as a child. However, tell your midwife and look out for symptoms. You dont' want to have chickenpox around the time of birth.

edam · 01/12/2005 16:38

Sweetheart, chickenpox is only a danger to pregnant women up to 28 weeks so you should be fine (doubly so if you've had chickenpox yourself anyway). Call NHS Direct just to be on the safe side but I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

Original poster

sweetheart · 01/12/2005 16:39

Thanks everyone - had a look on the net and apparently shingles can't be passed on unless it's as chicken pox anyway. BUT just to be on the safe side I have phoned NHS direct and they are gonna call me back.

It's not worth taking the risk for the sake of a phone call!

THANKS!

OP posts:

thecattleareALOHing · 01/12/2005 19:40

You can catch chickenpox from shingles but not if you are immune, which you almost certainly are.

thecattleareALOHing · 01/12/2005 19:42

If you really did have chickenpox as a child then you ARE immune. So you don't have to worry. Even if you hadn't had chickenpox, shingles is much less contagious than chickenpox.

starlover · 01/12/2005 19:48

What can I do if I am pregnant and been in contact with chickenpox or shingles?

If you have had chickenpox in the past, you will be immune. You are not at risk, and you do not need to do anything. (About 9 in 10 pregnant women have already had chickenpox as a child and are immune.)
If you have not had chickenpox, or you are not sure, see a doctor as soon as possible. A blood test may be advised which can detect antibodies. (About 1 in 10 pregnant women have not previously had chickenpox.)

starlover · 01/12/2005 19:49

btw shingles is very contagious, but it is spread through skin contact. If the rash is covered (under clothes) then you are highly unlikely to catch it

Nemoinapeartree · 01/12/2005 19:55

SH you will be fine. Adam got chicken pox when I was 15wks and my sister has just come out of hospital after a really bad case of shingles and she had been around here about 4 times a week when she was most contagious.

Nemoinapeartree · 01/12/2005 19:57

Meant to add am sure to get shingles oyu have to have had shingles or chicken pox however it is only more of a threat in first 2 trimesters and if you have never had it before.

Original poster

sweetheart · 01/12/2005 20:45

Just thought I'd post that NHS direct rang back.

They said there should be no reason to worry BUT if I do get any symptoms to ring the mw straight away!

Apparently one of the symptoms I should be looking for is tightning around my tummy - I had to laugh - at 39.5 weeks that could be labour really couldn't it!

OP posts:

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