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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

33 weeks and son has chicken pox

18 replies

jinglebellmel · 10/05/2017 09:09

I'm 33+4 and this morning my toddler is decidedly spotty! They aren't itchy but a couple have blisters so I'm presuming chicken pox - not sure if there's anything else it could be? I think I had chicken pox as a child but my mum Said she isn't certain if it was pox or not. Do I just wait and see if I get it? How long would it take for my spots to appear if I did?

OP posts:
HellsBellsK · 10/05/2017 09:13

It could take up to two weeks for spots to appear.
If you ring your midwife/consultant they should be able to tell you if you are immune - they would of tested for it during your first blood test.
Hope your little man is okay x

Intransige · 10/05/2017 09:13

Definitely have a phone consultation with your GP. Chicken pox complications in pregnancy are rare but quite serious. And it is possible to have it twice and also you don't know you are immune. They may recommend that you to take antiviral medication.

www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2589.aspx?CategoryID=54&SubCategoryID=137

NotAnotherUserName5 · 10/05/2017 09:46

If you're unsure you had it, contact maternity ward and they might be able to run some tests with your booking in blood sample.

This is what they did with me a couple of weeks ago when DC2 started with it as I'd never had it other than being born with chicken pox (my own mother contracted it prior to my birth)

NotAnotherUserName5 · 10/05/2017 09:50

They don't routinely test for antibodies varicella, the virus that causes chicken pox when you get your booking in bloods. Not in my experiences with my four pregnancies anyway.

MusicToMyEars800 · 10/05/2017 09:51

I think adults don't get chicken pox they get shingles instead, Definitely see your GP or midwife though.

MrsMarigold · 10/05/2017 09:57

My MIL got chicken pox when pregnant with DH he is absolutely fine, but do call the doctor they could give you something. Have you had it before. I also had chickenpox as an adult so adults definitely do get it.

Original poster
jinglebellmel · 10/05/2017 10:02

Okay thanks everyone. I think I've had it before, I had spots but seem to remember very few and didn't blister so there was some doubt. Pretty sure that is what ds has now, more are appearing and blistering.

Will phone midwife, think she is sick of hearing from me!

OP posts:
HellsBellsK · 10/05/2017 10:02

That could be true NotAnotherUserName5 sorry - Im in Ireland so it probably is different, and they test for chickenpox, slapped cheek etc at your 12 week scan/checkup.
Adults do get chickenpox's I was one of them Sad -
You get shingle if you have had the chicken pox before. It lays dormant and can be triggered if you are run down etc.

Original poster
jinglebellmel · 10/05/2017 10:20

Just spoke to assessment unti and they said I have a 'history of chicken pox stated on my assessment form' from my previous pregnancy so no further action needed. She didn't seem to be able to tell me if that meant I'd been tested for it or just that I'd previously said I thought I'd had it though?! I'm sure I probably have had it, I guess it'd be pretty unusual to have reached 30 without any exposure to it!

OP posts:
Intransige · 10/05/2017 10:24

What that most likely means is they ask at booking in "have you had chicken pox" and you either said "yes" or "I don't know but I think so" and they have recorded the answer as yes. I only got tested for varicella immunity because I asked for it when the took my bloods, which I think is the usual approach in a lot of English NHS trusts (ie it's not standard).

I would speak to your GP and say what you said in your OP.

NotAnotherUserName5 · 10/05/2017 10:24

HellsBellsK-I think it varies area to area what they test for anyway!

Some areas do tests others don't for some reason. Ireland's care sounds a bit more in depth.

Poor you getting chicken pox as an adult, it's meant to be quite nasty.

Shingles sounds awful too. I think from what my midwife said is you can catch chicken pox from someone with shingles but you can't catch shingles from someone with chicken pox.

Intransige · 10/05/2017 10:24

I definitely haven't had it. Never as a child and never as an adult. So I got vaccinated in my 20s. It's quite possible not to get it as a child.

NotAnotherUserName5 · 10/05/2017 10:38

Intransige-how much is the vaccine if you don't mind me asking?

I'm considering this when my baby is born and old enough. My son has had it so severely, I don't wish to see another of my DC go through this again.

Intransige · 10/05/2017 10:46

It varies in price I think depending on where you are. Where we are (London commuter belt) it's about £70 per jab and you need two. It can be done from 12 months but has to be more than a month after or before MMR due to vaccine interactions.

Most travel vaccination clinics will do it.

Lunalovepud · 10/05/2017 14:02

Give your GP and midwife a call for advice.

DC1 had CP when I was 18 weeks PG with DC2 - no problem at all for me as I had CP when I was a child. GP made double sure that I was sure I had it and then said to call back straight away if I had any symptoms. Everything was fine.

If you are unsure they can give you a blood test to check for immunity and then either a shot or a course of meds to stop you getting it, or to reduce the severity of it if you do get it.

I am sure it is nothing to worry about - the vast majority of adults in the UK have had it as children so with any luck, it was CP you had as a child.

Lunalovepud · 10/05/2017 14:03

Sorry - didn't RTWT Blush

I see you have had it.

No worries then! Hope your DC isn;t too uncomfortable...

Original poster
jinglebellmel · 10/05/2017 17:17

Thanks everyone. I thought it sounded like that might just have been based on me saying 'probably' she wasn't too helpful to be honest. My mum is now pretty sure I have had it though- I think she's just struggling to remember which of us had what! I may see if they'll test anyway, apparently it's not done automatically but they can use the blood they took at 12 weeks and give anti virals if there's no immunity - guess it's better safe than sorry.

OP posts:
NotAnotherUserName5 · 10/05/2017 20:00

Intransige-thanks for the info. Will see where does it in my area when the tine comes.

jinglebellmel-they were quiet proactive with offering to do my bloods at my hospital. I think they really ought to check if there's doubt. Push for it.

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