Pregnant and DS has chickenpox

[Moonshine160]

I am 23 weeks pregnant and my 3 year old DS has caught chickenpox. The spots started appearing yesterday morning. I keep reading online about how dangerous chickenpox is to pregnant women who don’t have immunity. I had chickenpox when I was 2 years old, does this automatically mean I’m immune? I’m struggling to find any information on what you should do if you’re pregnant and your child gets it. DH works away so I’m looking after him alone and I’ve obviously already been exposed now but a bit worried about any effects this could have on baby. Has anyone been in this position before?

Call your midwife. There’s a blood test they can do to see if you have immunity. If you don’t, they can then look at a treatment plan

NHS advice

That's what to do if you think you have caught it, but it doesn't really say what do to in your situation.

I'd call your midwife immediately to ask though.

If you’ve had chicken pox you should be fine.

I’ve never had it so was super cautious Re pox/shingles but I was exposed to it as a child (my sister had it when I was about 7) so I actually probably am immune too.

Do call your midwife but try not to worry too much meantime.

If you are not immune and catch it before 20 weeks, there are some risks and neonatal chicken pox carries increased risks but in mid pregnancy being immune the risks are not high to you or your baby.

They can re-run your booking bloods to check your immunity, you don’t even need new blood taken. I had that done at the start of the year and my niece and nephew had CP over Xmas. If you’ve had chicken pox you’re fine apparently but my mum was adamant I hadn’t had it (but I was sure I had).

I had chicken pox as a child and then my eldest DC caught it whilst I was pregnant with 2nd (I was around the 20 week mark). Pharmacist told me that as I'd definitely had it there was nothing to worry about

My son (then aged 7) had chicken pox when I was pregnant. I'd had chicken pox as a baby and didn't catch it.

I think the advice is that you should be fine but there is also a test you can do to check your immunity. This happened to me while I was pregnant with number 2 and I spoke to the GP who sent me off for a blood test (which confirmed I had immunity from having CP has a baby).

If you've had it as a child it is unlikely you'll catch it from your Son. I was in this exactly position with my Son end of April and I didn't get CP from him. Hope your Son feels better soon

Hey I have just been through the same thing with my stepson, before I realised he had it I had been poking and prodding the spots 😂 I rang the GP and told him a know I previously had chickenpox but was worried anyway. The doctor said if you know 100% you have had it you will not catch it again so no immunity tests were required. I understand your worry though x

Thanks everyone for your comments. I’ve had no response from the community midwife since yesterday so I’ve just phoned my GP. She said that because I’ve had it before I should be immune but to keep an eye out for any symptoms.

I had this 2 weeks ago, my midwife said if you had it as a child I'd be fine as I'm early pregnant! She did offer a blood test through my gp though to double check so I had it done for piece of mine x but I've been around my dd and I've been fine x

I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

I was pregnant when my then two year olds had chicken pox. Like you I had had at the age of two myself. There were no issues.