Nursery pick up and chicken pox

[BillyAndTheSillies]

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and when I dropped DS at nursery today, they have 5 confirmed cases of Chicken Pox.

DS had it last year, so thankfully I don't need to worry about that - hopefully - but I've never had it.

Given I didn't catch it when DS had it, I'm assuming immunity but not sure how that would affect the baby?

Does chickenpox only affect the baby if the mother catches it? I'm really not sure.

I do drop offs and pick ups but can swap with DH if it's advisable not to go in. Any ideas?

If you've never had it you should contact your midwife and explain you could have been exposed. It can cause complications if you catch it. foetal varicella syndrome (FVS).

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/what-are-the-risks-of-chickenpox-during-pregnancy/

Thanks Minty. Annoyingly I don't have a specific midwife as I'm between consultants and midwives so will call the GP for advice.

I think yeh risk is low but it's worth getting proper advice on.

I've had chicken pox twice and was still advised to call midwife if I come into contact with it so you're doing the right thing calling gp.

Definitely call GP or midwife for advice.

I am similar to you in that i havent had it and am 10wks pregnant. My DS got chicken pox last week so obviously i have been on the phone to everyone (medical profession, not just mates!). Essentially i requested a blood test to check whether im immune or not; if not there is medication that can be given i believe.

From some literature a pharmacist had, IF you develop chicken pox, the chance of passing it on to the foetus is about 1/100.

I just spoke to a relative who is a midwife at the hospital where I gave birth to DC1, it's a different trust to the one I'm currently under. They routinely test for chicken pox immunity and she has said I should be able to call tomorrow to find out if they still have my notes as it was only two years ago.

And then I'll be straight on the phone to the GP and request a blood test.

DH is going to do pick up and drop off for a while.

Your GP or midwife should be able to telephone the lab and ask them to test your booking blood sample for immunity if you can’t find out from your old trust (I find it unlikely that anyone will go looking for your notes for you if you aren’t a current patient).

Just to add if mother is immune then baby will be fine while in utero.