Pregnancy and chicken pox

[katherine1987]

Hi ladies,

Just looking for some advice. I am currently 10 weeks pregnant and I think my 2 year old may have chicken pox. I have read this can be quite dangerous.

I also have Crohn's disease and I am on immune suppressive medication.

Should I be contacting my GP?

Have you had chicken pox? If you haven't, I would contact your GP for advice.
I hadn't had chicken pox and unknowingly caught it whilst pregnant, I was 12ish weeks when the spots came out so probably around 10 weeks when first exposed to it. The doctor prescribed antivirals as chicken pox can occasionally cause fetal varicella syndrome. I was very poorly with it but my fortunately my baby was absolutely fine.

My DD had chicken pox whilst I was pregnant. Doctor told me was no worry as I’d had chicken pox before. Have you ever had them?

Speak to GP urgently. It might be nothing, but you need to be checked for signs yourself. I was 6months when my DD caught it and was sent to the infectious diseases hospital for a check up. 2 spots were found and I was prescribed antivirals. I felt fine myself and I have had children pox as a child.
Baby was born and still is absolutely fine.

I did have them when I was young but only quite mildly. So only had a few spots x

You should be fine even if it was mild when you had it, but if you’re worried then there’s no harm in asking your midwife for advice and reassurance. They will direct you to the GP if it’s necessary.

If you contact your midwife she will arrange for you to have a blood test to see if you are still immune. If you are, all is good. If not, you will be given acyclovir tablets and if you start with spots, you will be put on an IV for 5 days.

My son had chicken pox when I was 23 weeks pregnant and I also have other health conditions. I rang the midwife to enquire about a blood test but she said because I’d had it as a child then I didn’t need to do anything other than look out for any symptoms and if I became unwell then to contact her again. Luckily I was fine.

Hi @katherine1987 Please contact your GP ASAP. As you say, you are immune suppressed so even having a previous infection doesn’t always help. You may need immunoglobulins but your GP should be able to review the current guidelines around eligibility and if necessary discuss this with a specialist. Hope you get some help x