38w pregnant and toddler has chicken pox

[Teapleasemilknosugar]

Help

I had it in childhood. Toddler had it currently.

Anyone know the risks to baby? All I can find online is about if the mum catches it in pregnancy for the first time. I've contacted my midwife and waiting to hear back from them.

Thanks

I seem to remember I had my immunity to CP checked on one of the first blood tests when I was pregnant - if I hadn't been immune I would have had the vaccine I seem to remember. Do you remember anyone mentioning it?

If you've had it, the chances are you are immune and you won't catch it, so no effect on baby at all as I understand it. I'm sure your MW will reassure you asap but I really wouldn't worry unduly.

If you give birth while toddler still has spots, I think for the first little bit baby will have your immunity (think that's why they give pregnant women whooping cough vaccine) so should still be fine. Usually max 2 weeks for CP to crust over, and then it's not contagious, so hopefully the stars will align and it will all be over before baby arrives and you won't need to worry.

Has everyone else you live with had CP before?

I’m 37 weeks and my toddler also caught it this week. My midwife reassured me that if I’ve had it before then there isn’t really a risk. We found that the spots healed over by day 5/6 and then it cleared up pretty quickly. If you do go into labour in the next few days I’d let the hospital staff know about the toddler chicken pox just in case, but I don’t think there is much cause for concern.

My toddler brought me chickenpox when I was in the second trimester. I had it very mildly. No ill effects on baby, he’s now 7 months old.

It's not a problem if you e had them before, they only worry if you get them the first time while pregnant.

These are reassuring. Thank you

This happened to a relative of mine except her son had chicken pox the day she brought her newborn home!
The midwife advised that the newborn who have some of mums immunity for a short period of time so all was ok.

My son also had chicken pox during my pregnancy - we were all ok.

Try and stay calm and rested ♥️

Chicken pox is a greater risk if you have not had it before, but if you have, you are very likely to have passed immunity to your baby and their immunity is likely to protect your baby for some time after their birth.

There is a greater risk if you catch it before 20 weeks of pregnancy.

As others have said, once the spots appear, your son is contagious until the spots scab over which is likely to be between 5 and 7 days.

Homeopathic remedy Rhus Tox may help to keep things low key and pass along quickly.

Don't they check your chicken pox antibody levels at first visit?

They draw bloods at booking but don't automatically test immunity to chicken pox/slapped cheek etc, only if situation arises.

My MW has told me they aren't going to check my bloods from my booking appointment because I'm 38w and the risk is greater in early pregnancy apparently. I'm not all that reassured tbh. What if baby comes while toddler is still contagious?!

OP baby is likely to have some of your immunity. My DD had it when my DS was 3 months old, he never caught it.

Same thing happened to my sister, she was 39 weeks when her toddler got chicken pox. Mum had already had it so baby was fine xx

Check with your midwife but I think if you had it in childhood you're fine

I did, response in my last post above 👆

Toddler has scabbed over now so isn't contagious any more and new baby hasn't come early so I'm less worried now. Thanks all!