Chickenpox and pregnancy

[Pinkflamingo121318]

DC 4 and 5 haven't had pox yet.

I'm currently 12 weeks pregnant and found out earlier today that a girl in my DD class was sent home with 10 spots.

So DD has spent the last 3 weeks with this girl 5 days a week.
DS is in the same class as the girls brother so possibly the brother will have it too.
DD is starting to develop a cold as of last night.

I know it can be dangerous to be around pox when pregnant.. but what on earth do I do?!

My DD sleeps in our bed and I will want to comfort her if she's uncomfortable. I think Daddy would be able to handle it, but I would feel so bad and he won't be able to help when he's at work..

Have you had chickenpox? If so, you are immune and you are protecting the baby you are carrying. If you haven't had chickenpox, I don't know the answer but id think vaccinations for the entire family is the way forward.

My son had chicken pox whilst I was pregnant with my youngest and I panicked too! But my doctor told me as long as I've had chicken pox at some point in my life then my baby will be kept safe by my immune system. He was perfectly fine!

(And he also slept in my bed and we snuggled throughout his outbreak)

CP has an 80% attack rate, so 80% of those that come into contact with it will get it. Conversely, 20% won't.

10 spots isn't many, if memory serves then a decent dose of CP causes more than 100 - this is why some kids appear to have it twice, they may have had what the parents thought was CP but wasn't, or was weak.

Speak to your midwife and ask fir your booking bloods to be checked for immunity (unless you can remember having it, in which case, you're fine). This is a very common query for your community midwife

I think the main thing is whether you've had chicken pox or not? If you have then it's ok and baby will have your immunity. If you haven't you can get a blood test to see if you have natural immunity already, or not (through doctors). There is a vaccine you can get (some countries give this to everyone) but not sure if it's ok in pregnancy and might be too late anyway. But it's likely you are immune if you've had it or if you've not you might have natural immunity anyway.

If you had chicken pox as a child (which you most likely did), you should have immunity and have nothing to worry about. This is one of the concerns about the vaccine - that it doesn't provide full immunity into adulthood, leaving you potentially vulnerable if you had the jab as a child. But you almost certainly have had chicken pox as a child, in which case it's very likely you retain immunity and will be fine even if your lo's get it.

If you've not sure you've had chicken pox go to your GP and have a blood test to ensure you are immune.
If you are not immune and develop a rash you can have immunoglobulin to reduce risks.

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/patients/patient-information-leaflets/pregnancy/chickenpox-in-pregnancy.pdf

I had this on my Last pregnancy . You need to contact your midwife, who will look at your recent bloods taken to see if you have had chicken pox before which I am pretty sure means that you and baby are protected.

Call your midwife in the morning and she should be able to find out that day or
Worst case 2 days. In the meantime
I would try no to not touch/kiss your children in the meantime

Good luck and keep us posted

I will ask my mum but I'm pretty sure I did have chicken pox as a child!

I always thought being around pox when pregnant was very dangerous.. I'm not even sure why I thought that!

It is dangerous but only if you're not immune and pregnant. It came up that I wasn't immune in my booking in blood tests but guess this varies between hospital and I knew I hadn't had it.

I just had this situation, DS caught it and I'm pregnant and never had it. GP sent off urgent bloods to check my immunity, I have the antibodies (somehow) so baby was safe. If I hadn't have they said I would have to take I think anti-virals to fight the chicken pox. Fingers crossed you've had it, in which case no problem - I cared for DS as normal all the way through including itchy cuddles in our bed!

OP I wouldn't rely on just your mums memory as it's so critical on the baby. Do get your bloods checked!! NOT worth the risk