Slapped Cheek and 12 weeks pregnant

[Margo34]

Anyone who can offer advice or share their experiences with slapped cheek in pregnancy?
I'm currently 12 weeks and work in a school where it appears there have been multiple cases becoming apparent today. I'm worried.

You need to limit any interaction with people with or potentially with slapped cheek. Easier said than done I know, but your school should support this. I believe the risk is that it can cause miscarriage, how the likelihood is very low. Perhaps mention it to your midwife or doctor and see what they say?

5 suspected cases today within my class but only recognised towards the end of the day (I was out and cover staff didn't notice cheeks/symptoms). Midwife said they will check my bloods taken today anyway/coincidentally and will get back to me in a couple of working days.
How long is it contagious for? Should I go in on Monday in case there are more?

Unfortunately it’s one of those arsehole ones like chicken pox where you are contagious before the rash appears so you may not know who has it at the time. I think it’s not contagious once the rash has appeared but obviously that’s a bit late for you as you may have been exposed by then. Please don’t panic to much, i think the risks are very low.

It’s up to you, if you’re worried I think it’s a legitimate reason to stay off.

I’m a teacher -I would stay off if I was you. Know it’s easier said than done.

When it went round my school a few weeks ago I want to rhw prenatal unit and had a blood test. Results came back that I was immune due to childhood exposure. Ask your midwife or if they aren't in today call the day unit and ask them do a blood test ASAP. It was such a relief knowing we were both safe!

As PP said, when there was an outbreak in my class earlier on in my pregnancy I had my bloods checked and I was fine due to previous infection. She said most people are, especially if they work in schools.

I would maybe take the day off on Monday, if it is causing your anxiety to flare up.

I've done a lot of research into this as was in the same situation with both my pregnancies. I'm not immune despite teaching infants for 17 years! My advice is don't go in & get signed off if you're not immune. It's really dangerous to unborn babies and not worth the risk. A couple of pregnant members of staff caught it (thank goodness I didn't) and it's not good at all. Feel free to dm me if u want more info xx

I work in a reception class, when I was pregnant we had a expected case and my head sent me home until it was confirmed otherwise. Your school should support you and should discuss a personal risk assessment with you

I went home when chicken pox was doing the rounds as I didnt know if I was immune or not. Stayed off until I got blood results showing I was safe. Also when slapped cheek I worked away from children but home was an option. You and baby come first!

If it’s any comfort then as a teacher it’s very likely that you will have been exposed previously and be immune - it doesn’t always present with symptoms. The bloods will confirm if you have the antibodies. My DD had it during my second pregnancy but bloods confirmed that I was immune.

I would speak to your school as they have a duty to keep you safe. My ds it when I was 16 weeks pregnant with dd, the week wait dragged forever. As it was my child I couldn't really avoid him BUT the Dr and midwife both said I'd have been exposed before the illness was apparent.

My bloods said already immune, GP said nearly all adults who grew up in the UK would have been exposed and thus immune

I’m a teacher too and I would be asked to take time off for this, although knowing my head she would send me home.

Thanks for your replies. I should hear back re: my blood results in the next couple of working days according to midwives so I'm trying to work out whether to go in for the interim whilst I'm waiting to hear.