35 weeks and exposed to chickenpox

[89redballoons]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant, and had a friend and her toddler round yesterday to play with my toddler. The little ones spent couple of hours running around inside, shouting and sharing food and toys. Friend's toddler seemed fine yesterday, but friend texted me earlier to say it looks like she's developed a chicken pox rash today.

I know I had chicken pox when I was two but it was pretty mild. My toddler has not had it so far. My husband is also sure he had it as a child.

I called my midwife this morning but she said because I'd already had chicken pox there was nothing to worry about. However, I've (unwisely?) spent some time googling and now I'm really worried.

It seems that if I did get chicken pox as a result of this exposure, which I know is unlikely but not impossible, I could have the rash in 2/3 weeks' time which could be around when I give birth and that seems hugely risky for my baby. Also, if toddler gets symptoms around the time baby is born then baby could catch it off him which would also be risky.

Am I worrying unnecessarily and if not, is there anything I should even do at this point? I've got a scheduled midwife appointment on Thursday so I'll bring it up again then but anything in the meantime?

I think you are worrying unnecessarily. If toddler gets it when baby is little if you breast feed baby will have your immunity to it.

If you are very worried you could see if you could get toddler the vaccine for it though I don't know if that would help if they have been exposed already.

Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it as your midwife isn't worried about it.

You will have immunity from even mild infection when you were young, your toddler will either get it or not, but there is a high possibility if they were together indoors for several hours
All you can do is be on the lookout for symptoms in your toddler and try and keep them away from your newborn should your baby arrive with him still with active rash.

My DS has chicken pox when I was about 34/35 weeks pregnant and I gave it no second thought to be honest. I knew I’d had it as a child, my DH was more a worry as he’s never had it… he didn’t catch it. He never caught it when DD got it recently either.

Honestly don’t worry

You’ve had it. You don’t need to worry. Listen to your midwife.

OK, thanks mumsnet just a bit of anxiety talking, then. At most I might arrange for DS to stay at his nanny's house for a few more days if he has a rash when baby is born.

There's a chicken pox vaccine, OP. You have to pay for it but you can have your toddler protected against chicken pox.

I had 8 spots as a child. That was it. I'm pregnant and they screened for immunity seen as the previous dose was mild. I have immunity.

There are 18 cases of CP in DS nursery. He has his vaccine booked for Friday. Just praying he can avoid it until then