Slapped cheek and pregnancy

WJK00 · 2021-10-15T12:16:05+00:00

Hi guys Somebody pleaseeeeeee help I am going out of my mind. SD has been to the doctors as rash appeared on face and claimed she felt poorly. Dr has suspected slapped cheek. Obviously I did some Googling now going out of my mind with worry. I am 10/11 weeks pregnant and the midwife was useless saying she wasn't experience in it and to call my drs. drs receptionist said it's only emergency appointments now but she or dr will call me back to advice as not sure how risky it is. But I don't even think she took my name or DOB to even know who it was who called in 😭😭😭 it's been 4 hours and still heard nothing. I have had two previous losses which is making my anxiety out of this world which can't be doing me any good. I feel like no one is helping/advising me and I can't stop crying!!!!!!!

shs25 · 15/10/2021 14:06

I was exposed to slap cheek whilst pregnant (about 18 weeks I think). There's a critical window when it's slightly dangerous to catch it yourself.

The difference for me was that I was then poorly and wondered if I'd then caught it myself. There's some NICE guidelines on it... see if you can Google those (parvo virus it is). But from what I remember they first used my booking bloods to determine if I'd been exposed / was immune from childhood. And then checked my blood again like two weeks after exposure or something to check to see if I'd actually then had it or not.
That result was positive so I think they did an extra scan at a certain point in time.... to check growth and heart (i think there's something about fluid around the heart?).

But there are a lot of 'what ifs' along the way... you DD hasn't definitely got it? You've not necessarily caught it? You might be immune anyway? And even then it doesn't necessarily mean anything.

But the MW should know between them what the protocol is... or speak the their attached Consultant if not sure. As I say, there's set procedures to follow....

SouthwestSis · 15/10/2021 14:32

If your midwife doesn't know the answer she should ask someone else in their team or their consultant, not add to the massive workload of GPs!
I would call the midwife back and say no GP is available to advise.

Original poster

WJK00 · 15/10/2021 14:50

Thanks for your responses @SouthwestSis @shs25

@shs25 yeah I have looked at the NICE guidelines and I read online that the midwives can/may use bloods from booking appointment to test for the virus. I understand that week 9-20 can be critical.

She was clueless and literally said to call the GP as she hasn't got much experience but my understanding in there are guidelines to be followed and they are not following them. Everywhere says to call your midwife ASAP and I did but I have got nowhere.

I'm now waiting for a call back from the GP to be told nothing will likely be done as it's Friday afternoon. So I will be worrying all over the weekend 👍🏽

OP posts:

shs25 · 15/10/2021 14:54

I'd call the MW back and find a way of wording everything you know in a curious / this is what's suggested / the GP has referred me back to you kind of way. You may even get a different person. Or call the EPU or hospital MWs directly.

Only because as you say, you'll be worrying otherwise and it's a ball that needs setting in motion and won't be an instant process...

Eyesofdisarray · 15/10/2021 14:56

Does your hospital have a Triage number that you can ring for advice OP?

Original poster

WJK00 · 15/10/2021 15:03

Thanks @shs25 I will deffo being calling the midwives again. I have my bloods being taken by them Monday which I again stated could these be sent off for testing but she was clueless yet again. I'm so annoyed. She left me with the 'risk of miscarriage' in my mind but didn't do anything to help ease my mind or like
you say get the ball rolling.

@Eyesofdisarray I did call the midwife triage line and got the call back. I'm tempted to call EPU but I have been discharged from there as I've gone past my 'risk stage' and known to midwives.

I'm at my wits end. I cannot stop worrying for the life of me

OP posts:

percypigwig · 15/10/2021 15:06

I contracted parvovirus at 19 weeks pregnant and had my bloods done which confirmed I had no previous exposure. I therefore had to have several additional scans throughout my pregnancy checking for blood flow in umbilical arteries/veins as I think the virus can cause issues such as anaemia in the foetus. I was also induced on my due date. Everything turned out fine and baby was healthy so try not to worry too much

shs25 · 15/10/2021 15:07

I know it's ridiculous to say, but try try try not to worry. You're a good few steps away from definite concern yet. And you've noticed your DD has potentially got the infection which is a crucial place to start. You may already be immune; you may not catch it; it may never pass through to baby etc etc. And you're getting yourself into the system. I'm not totally empathic, as I totally understand. I do.

Original poster

WJK00 · 15/10/2021 16:55

@percypigwig thanks for responding and sharing. I'm glad everything was ok for you. I know there is only a small risk and that's if you even catch it it's just still such a worrying time.

@shs25 yes I keep trying to tell myself all of this but I'm such a bloody worrier!

The lovely GP phoned me back and said he has looked at the nice guidelines, called the infectious team who advice the midwife to do the extra bloods for it at my appointment (on Monday) and repeat them again in 4 weeks time. Feel a little less stressed now something is in place. Just a shame the midwife didn't know all of this and had to waste the GPs time

OP posts:

shs25 · 15/10/2021 17:24

Makes you laugh really.... the MW could have had a quick Google and looked slightly less incompetent! Well down to the GP though, hey?

Original poster

WJK00 · 15/10/2021 17:26

@shs25

Makes you laugh really.... the MW could have had a quick Google and looked slightly less incompetent! Well down to the GP though, hey?

Yep!! All that could have been done at half 10 this morning when she phoned me back.

OP posts:

Eyesofdisarray · 15/10/2021 23:08

Glad you are sorted OP x

Mered12 · 02/12/2021 18:46

Hey! I’m going through the same at the moment, I was exposed about 4 weeks ago and my GP and midwife have been useless my bloods have taken almost a month to come back! I ended up going to antenatal because I was so stressed out! I’m just waiting on my retested bloods to see if the virus developed after my first round of bloods! How did it work out for you in the end? I’ve been so anxious it’s made me so upset I’m currently 18 and a half weeks!

KJW000 · 05/12/2021 21:29

@Mered12

Hey! I’m going through the same at the moment, I was exposed about 4 weeks ago and my GP and midwife have been useless my bloods have taken almost a month to come back! I ended up going to antenatal because I was so stressed out! I’m just waiting on my retested bloods to see if the virus developed after my first round of bloods! How did it work out for you in the end? I’ve been so anxious it’s made me so upset I’m currently 18 and a half weeks!

Honestly try not too stress. Mine also useless. Never got my bloods back. But I was around 10 weeks. Had a scan at 13 weeks and 16 weeks and all seemed fine so just hoping for the best. I never got any symptoms and we aren't 100% sure she had it. It's really contagious between kids and no one else in her class at school caught it.

I got so annoyed with no one actually helping me I gave up. Although there is a slight risk it's a small one. They say 50% of adults likely have already had it and even if you are to catch it there isn't a high chance of you passing it to baby and causing any issues. Well that's what I was told.

I've got my 20 weeks scan next Tuesday so just hoping all is well at that one too.

Mered12 · 06/12/2021 16:22

Mine have been too, they figured out I’m not actually immune so I’ve had my bloods retaken last week because it had been 4 weeks to check I’m not negative! My 20 week scan is next Tuesday too! All you see online is horror stories and it’s so scary ☹️ My midwifes been useless too! Glad your feeling better and positive fingers crossed for us both 😩🤞🏻

KJW000 · 06/12/2021 16:55

@Mered12

Mine have been too, they figured out I’m not actually immune so I’ve had my bloods retaken last week because it had been 4 weeks to check I’m not negative! My 20 week scan is next Tuesday too! All you see online is horror stories and it’s so scary ☹️ My midwifes been useless too! Glad your feeling better and positive fingers crossed for us both 😩🤞🏻

Good they followed yours up. Mine never did. Maybe I should have chased them but really that's their job

Yeah always tell you the worst case scenario!! I put it to the back of my mind. But may mention it at my scan because they can check then too!!