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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Exposed to chickenpox while pregnant (third trimester) and never had it before

26 replies

Helphelphelp19666 · 23/05/2022 05:22

Hi everyone

So I woke up in a sweat this morning as I recalled that my friend's young DS who I saw yesterday looked like he was covered in chickenpox and I know her other DS had it recently. When I was there I recalled vaguely thinking it could be dangerous for me as I've never had chickenpox, but for some stupid reason I didn't think straight /check properly and I now realise I put myself and my baby's life at risk. Please don't make me feel any worse about it than I do. I already hate myself for this and if anything happens to my baby I won't want to live anymore. I am also utterly astounded at just how stupid I am and think I need my mental capacity checked to see why I did such a stupid stupid thing. I can't even say I was ignorant because I was vaguely aware it could be dangerous, but was in a stressful situation (related to relatives I have involved in the war in Ukraine) and clearly didn't think. I hate myself.

All that aside, please can someone clearly explain to me the risks to my baby and myself now I've been exposed and have never had it? And what I should do/request from my midwife or doctor? I have a midwife appointment this morning and will go in early to see if she can see me sooner because I'm going crazy with worry. Should I request blood tests to check immunity? Antiviral medicine? How likely is it the baby will be harmed at this stage?
Thank you

OP posts:
BirdWatch · 23/05/2022 05:30

You probably had a vaccination for it as a child. I think you should speak to your doctor for advise. They know what tests if any, need to be done. Hope you don't get it.

BirdWatch · 23/05/2022 05:42

This UK site says you can get a shot of within 10 days of exposure. "What if I come into contact with chickenpox when I am pregnant and I am not immune?
If you are not immune to chickenpox and you come into contact with it during pregnancy, you may be given an injection of varicella zoster immune globulin (VZIG). This is a human blood product that strengthens the immune system for a short time, although it may not prevent chickenpox developing. It is safe to have in pregnancy.

VZIG can make the infection milder and not last for as long. The injection can be given within the first 10 days after you come into contact with chickenpox as long as you don’t yet have any symptoms. VZIG does not work once you have blisters"
From www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-all-patient-information-leaflets/chickenpox-and-pregnancy-patient-information-leaflet/

Toucantweet · 23/05/2022 05:43

Caught chicken pox eight days before I gave birth. I was hospitalised and treated with a form of Zovirax via IV. I was fully covered in spots at this point. From memory, the key issue is not giving birth whilst still infectious (ie before blisters heal).
I was in for a couple of days (mainly due to IV treatment). This was 25 years ago so things may have moved on! Baby born happy and healthy so please don't beat yourself up about it xxxx

whiteroseredrose · 23/05/2022 05:53

Sorry, I had the exact same situation except that it was my young DS that got it. Obviously it wasn't a one-off exposure for me.

I hadn't had chicken pox as a child and hadn't been vaccinated (wasn't routine then).

Speak to your midwife. I was given an injection of immunoglobulin (I think) to try to give me instant immunity.

Unfortunately for me it didn't work and I got my first 'pock' the day I went into labour.

Luckily I had a brilliant and experienced midwife.

She broke my waters to speed up delivery and reminded the stupid young doctors that I couldn't have an epidural to stitch me up (which I kept trying to refuse and they kept insisting on) because it could introduce the virus into the cerebrospinal fluid.

I am so so grateful to that midwife.

I was in a separate room in the maternity ward for 2 weeks so that they could keep an eye on both me and DD.

Key thing is to keep informing everyone just in case.

Original poster
Helphelphelp19666 · 23/05/2022 05:58

whiteroseredrose · 23/05/2022 05:53

Sorry, I had the exact same situation except that it was my young DS that got it. Obviously it wasn't a one-off exposure for me.

I hadn't had chicken pox as a child and hadn't been vaccinated (wasn't routine then).

Speak to your midwife. I was given an injection of immunoglobulin (I think) to try to give me instant immunity.

Unfortunately for me it didn't work and I got my first 'pock' the day I went into labour.

Luckily I had a brilliant and experienced midwife.

She broke my waters to speed up delivery and reminded the stupid young doctors that I couldn't have an epidural to stitch me up (which I kept trying to refuse and they kept insisting on) because it could introduce the virus into the cerebrospinal fluid.

I am so so grateful to that midwife.

I was in a separate room in the maternity ward for 2 weeks so that they could keep an eye on both me and DD.

Key thing is to keep informing everyone just in case.

Thank you fir sharing this. Was your baby ok?

OP posts:
Regenbogen22 · 23/05/2022 06:41

Best thing to do is make it the main topic of the appointment today and see what the midwife says.

Here's the NHS info:
www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/what-if-i-am-pregnant-and-i-have-not-had-chickenpox/

cptartapp · 23/05/2022 06:45

You wouldn't have had the CP vaccine as a child. It's not on the UK programme. It's also a live vaccine.
Speak urgently to your GP or midwife.
Practice nurse.

Original poster
Helphelphelp19666 · 23/05/2022 06:50

Just checked with them and apparently he had it last week but should be past the contagious stage now

OP posts:
Original poster
Helphelphelp19666 · 23/05/2022 06:54

But obviously I will still flag this up

OP posts:
Bakedpotatoesfortea · 23/05/2022 06:57

Had all his pox scabbed over?

sam1992 · 23/05/2022 08:34

I’m a teacher and had a case of chickenpox in my class last week. I’m 8 weeks pregnant and have never had chickenpox. My gp discussed with obstetrics at the hospital and arranged an antibody blood test as they said it was possible to have antibodies without having had clinical chickenpox since it’s so common here in childhood. It turned out I did have antibodies so saved getting the vaccine!

Wotagain · 23/05/2022 08:42

I caught chicken pox from my toddler daughter when I was 34 weeks pregnant.
I felt very unwell and uncomfortable for a week or so, but my baby was born safe and sound at 41 weeks. This was 30 years ago, so no anti viral options available, and thankfully no Dr Google to raise my anxiety.

ofwarren · 23/05/2022 08:45

You need to arrange with your midwife to have your antibodies checked. You may have had it asymptomatically as a child and are immune.

TranquilAirOfMorning · 23/05/2022 09:24

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I will ask the midwife to have my antibodies checked.

Verite1 · 23/05/2022 09:29

Just to also reassure you - that link above said riskiest time is 1st to 2nd trimester or just before giving birth. So if you are in early third trimester, that looks as though safest time. But definitely check with your mid wife etc. Good luck - sure everything will be fine.

IsabelHerna · 23/05/2022 11:45

Love and prayers to you x

Regenbogen22 · 23/05/2022 11:57

@Helphelphelp19666 @TranquilAirOfMorning (same person different name?)

How did it go this morning?

Snowflakes1122 · 23/05/2022 12:00

I got exposed to it in late pregnancy with my last baby (my two children had chicken pox).
Never had it (mother didn’t recall me having it). But they ran a previously held blood sample and I had immunity.

My own mother had chicken pox right before I was born, and I was fine. I apparently was born with a couple of spots from it. Guess that’s where my immunity came from.

TranquilAirOfMorning · 23/05/2022 15:35

Regenbogen22 · 23/05/2022 11:57

@Helphelphelp19666 @TranquilAirOfMorning (same person different name?)

How did it go this morning?

Same person, sorry for confusion.

They did a blood test to check my antibodies, so will hear about that in the nect couple of days. If I get ill they told me to go to the labour ward where I'll probably be given antiviral drugs.

Unfortunately, while I was there they also found I'm measuring too small and my bump hasn't grown as it should have, so have been referred for an emergency scan...

TranquilAirOfMorning · 23/05/2022 15:53

Snowflakes1122 · 23/05/2022 12:00

I got exposed to it in late pregnancy with my last baby (my two children had chicken pox).
Never had it (mother didn’t recall me having it). But they ran a previously held blood sample and I had immunity.

My own mother had chicken pox right before I was born, and I was fine. I apparently was born with a couple of spots from it. Guess that’s where my immunity came from.

That's reassuring!

whiteroseredrose · 24/05/2022 18:32

Sorry for the late reply. Yes DD was fine.

Regenbogen22 · 24/05/2022 18:37

@Helphelphelp19666 @TranquilAirOfMorning hope you get a scan soonish then and that it goes well 😊

MamaFoxToBe · 12/06/2022 20:31

How did your scan go OP? Hope all is okay

TranquilAirOfMorning · 12/06/2022 20:42

Everything is fine, thank you! I had a scan, and an antibody test, and I have antibodies for chickenpox, so all good

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