Please help, 34 weeks pregnant and chicken pox

[snowchick1977]

hi

After a bit of advice really. I am 34 weeks pregnant and my 14 month old son goes to a childminder. She called last night saying one of her children has chicken pox.

According to my Mum I have never had chicken pox, but I did have a form of shingles once.

What should I do, becuase most of the info online is rather conflicting.

Should I give NHS direct a call for advice?

Thanks x

I remember the midwife saying its only if u get them when your pregnant that would be a risk but I think its worse in early pregnancy, I would Phone your midwife or nhs 24,
My lo had them when my friend was pregnant, and had been in her company before we realised, she had never had chicken pox so she was worried, I think in early preg midwife does a blood test and it shows whether your immune or not? ( I think) they can give u a vaccine if your not as my friend got it. Xx

If you have had shingles, then you will have had chickenpox in the past. If this was when you were very small, this may have been barely noticeable. Avoid the child but proceed with the thought that you are immune.

If you are able to, it might be an idea to stop your child going till all is clear - though he might already have it.

your gP can do an immunity blood test for you which I'd recommend asap.

If you did manage to catch it from your son during the last weeks of the pregnancy, it could possibly transmit to the baby which could have some (not to worry you too much) risks.

I think it would be best to make an appt with your GP today, get a blood test to establish if you have natural immunity or not, and if not, then they can be prepared to offer you antiviral medication, or immunoglobulin, which will minimise the risks to your baby.

Good luck x

The quickest way to get an immunity test will be to phone the midwife assessment unit at your local hospital. That way the test can be done inhospital and you should get the result the same day.
The vast majority of people are immune. I am and my mum couldn't remember me ever having chicken pox.
If you're not immune there is treatment available for you to protect your baby, as said above.
Good luck.

if you've had shingles, you are definitely immune to chickenpox - they are the same virus.

I'm 100% certain on this one - I have a PhD in immunology!