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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Conceived in Maldives, worried about Zika.

26 replies

Positive91 · 06/06/2023 18:46

Hi all

please don’t judge me. This is terribly hard to even write. Here is the background.

I have a 4 year old perfectly healthy daughter already. I since had 3 back to back miscarriages (classed as chemical pregnancies). My husband and I decided we were not going to try again.

We went to the Maldives on honeymoon 4 weeks ago and then on to Dubai. whilst I was there I was bitten terribly. I don’t just mean once, I had over 100 bites which were extremely red and swollen. When I got back I then developed egg shaped bumps on my forehead (another area I was bitten) and was treated in an and e for cellulitis with antibiotics. That was two weeks ago. The bumps are still on my head a little but have definitely gone down.

fast forward two weeks and I find myself lay here now, on my bed, extremely concerned because I’ve found out that.. I’m pregnant! Big shock to us! Must have conceived in the Maldives on a drunken night!

I have been to my local hospital (I am in the UK) and the doctors had not dealt with this before.. I guess this is because most women follow the advice and don’t get pregnant after a Zika risk area!! But this wasn’t planned, however very much wanted after the previous 3 miscarriages. The doctors after much investigation by ringing labs in London etc, agreed to send my bloods off for Zika testing, but told me this wasn’t 100% accurate.

I now find myself in the most horrendous predicament. Googling every 5 minutes about Zika virus and the consequences to my unborn child. Wondering if I need to make the most terrible decision imaginable due to this risk. I don’t want to get to 20 week scan to find out my baby’s head isn’t growing. I also have read that the baby can be born totally fine but then not develop properly in first 3 years of life and have a high risk of infantile death?

Im sorry if any of you think I’m being ridiculous but I am just completely out of my mind with worry.

is there anyone out there who has been in my position and can offer any advice? I wouldn’t be as concerned if I was not bitten as badly as I was. I am not exaggerating when I say over 100 bites. I have images which I won’t post on here of me in a bikini, but I was completely covered head to toe.

any advice is much appreciated. Please be kind xx

OP posts:
CanadianFi · 06/06/2023 19:12

I'm not a doctor, but iirc, only like 5% of pregnant women with zika will have a child with birth defects. So while a risk, there's a 95% chance the baby would be fine if exposed. Also, early on the baby isn't even connected to your blood supply or whatever, which is why alcohol during the earliest weeks when a woman doesn't necessarily know won't cause issues, and I would imagine that would be somewhat of a protecting factor here as well ? I think it will be okay.

chipshopElvis · 06/06/2023 19:16

I'm sorry I don't have any advice about Zika but you absolutely must stop beating yourself up. Please be kind to yourself it's not your fault, in any other circumstances you would be happy. I really hope that you can get some proper NHS advice and support. xx

Original poster
Positive91 · 06/06/2023 19:47

Thank you both for your responses.

I know the risk is probably so low. As I said it is just because of the volume of bites I had.

OP posts:
Original poster
Positive91 · 06/06/2023 19:49

@chipshopElvis - I know I need to be kind to myself. Thank you for saying that, it’s a welcome response. I just feel sad about the thought of what could happen if I have/had Zika and even more sad that I feel no one can help me.

I am researching like crazy. I just wish there was someone who knew.

OP posts:
PinkPlantCase · 06/06/2023 20:10

What do you think people who live in Zika zones do? I don’t know the answer but surely your exposure must be much lower than someone who lives there all the time.

I have a friends in the Maldives and South America who have young children. They live their lives just like we do.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

CanadianFi · 06/06/2023 20:12

Positive91 · 06/06/2023 19:49

@chipshopElvis - I know I need to be kind to myself. Thank you for saying that, it’s a welcome response. I just feel sad about the thought of what could happen if I have/had Zika and even more sad that I feel no one can help me.

I am researching like crazy. I just wish there was someone who knew.

I think really because it is so early in your pregnancy the risk either isn't there, or isn't properly documented, but I feel like you're not the only person who had been exposed this early in pregnancy and the fact that you aren't finding much leads me to think the risk really isn't there at this point. I think the best thing you could do is try to contact an expert in diseases. So maybe your OB isn't the best person to contact about this, but someone who works with infectious diseases or what have you might be able to give you more clarity on the risk.

Gunpowder · 06/06/2023 20:18

Are you near London? The hospital of tropical diseases have a walk in clinic and are happy to see pregnant women who may be affected by Zika for counselling and testing. They recommend calling first. There’s info on this page :

HTD

congrats btw! Hope it’s a happy outcome.

The HTD - Emergency Walk-In Clinic

The Hospital for Tropical Diseases is dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases and travel related infections.

http://www.thehtd.org/emergencies.aspx

Original poster
Positive91 · 06/06/2023 20:59

@Gunpowder - thank you so much - I am going to call them first thing. I am two hours from London but I travel weekly for work anyway.

OP posts:
Original poster
Positive91 · 06/06/2023 21:00

@CanadianFi thank you. I love how positive you are. Ironic that my nick name is positive but I am being very negative about all of this.

you are right. And I when I sit with my sensible head on, I realise how little the risk probably is. But then the anxiety takes over and I blow it out of proportion and think of the worst imaginable. X

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Original poster
Positive91 · 06/06/2023 21:01

@PinkPlantCase thank you. This is reassuring to hear. X

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Gunpowder · 06/06/2023 21:42

I hope the HTD are helpful, OP.

Anxiety is a symptom of early pregnancy so that probably makes everything worse for you. Best of luck.

miniworry · 06/06/2023 22:15

@Positive91 exactly the same situation as you, went to the Maldives and came back to find out a few weeks later I was pregnant!

We also worried like mad and in the end had the zika antibody blood tests. We were told they were 99% accurate at testing for antibodies and also that the zika risk was minimal in the Maldives anyway.

We now have a healthy 3 year old and once I got the all clear from the zika blood test my worries passed to worrying about something else.

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Darthwazette · 06/06/2023 22:18

I became pregnant whilst living in Singapore at the height of the Zika cases there. I had several bites (mozzies seem to like pregnant women!). My ObGyn in Singapore did a Zika antibodies test which gave me the all clear but IIRC even with Zika the risks of a problem are very low indeed. I moved back to the Uk mid pregnancy and my drs over here thought it was all very OTT!

CanadianFi · 06/06/2023 22:21

@Positive91 If I were in your situation, I'd probably be feeling the same way despite knowing the risk is minimal. For reassurance contacting someone who knows about infectious diseases should help calm your nerves and help you enjoy your pregnancy.

Blughbablugh · 06/06/2023 23:08

I had a similar experience at the height of zika 7 years ago. We went to Cuba, I got bitten quite a few times and then conceived our dd straight after we got back. I was terrified that she was going to be affected. She is now 6 and absolutely fine (if a little diva!). I'd say that the risk is probably minimal. When I asked my midwives they had no clue about it really. I imagine lots of women have conceived in zika affected countries and have been fine. I understand the worry though.

Original poster
Positive91 · 07/06/2023 07:47

@miniworry - thank you for your response. I am the biggest worried going but always try to be positive in the end, but I totally feel you.

can I ask how much you were bitten?

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Original poster
Positive91 · 07/06/2023 07:49

@Darthwazette this is really reassuring to hear. I do think they don’t seem to be as bothered in the UK but the internet is full of “do not conceive for 6 months”. And if you Google Zika and pregnancy, the worst possible things come up. I know that the internet always does that and comes up with the worst case scenario but we all do it as much as we know we shouldn’t hey!

OP posts:
Original poster
Positive91 · 07/06/2023 07:51

Thank you everyone! My plan is to call the walk in centre in London today (it opens in one hour) and ask them if I can go tomorrow for some tests and counselling as it offers. I think I will feel much better speaking to a specialist.

I will keep this thread updated incase there are any other women out there who search Zika and come across this post, as I definitely always like to see the out come :)

thanks again. Really appreciate all your support and comments x

OP posts:
fguuh · 07/06/2023 10:03

I know someone who was already pregnant when they traveled to a zika country (it wasn't known at the time of travel). They monitored the baby quite closely on scans but all was well in the end.

Original poster
Positive91 · 08/06/2023 10:58

@fguuh thanks so much for your response! That’s reassuring

OP posts:
Original poster
Positive91 · 08/06/2023 10:58

Update:
I am on my way to tropical medicine hospital in London. My appointment is in 2 hours! Wish me luck! Thinking they will test me which will put my mind at ease!

OP posts:
Original poster
Positive91 · 08/06/2023 14:45

Hi all
just an update for anyone else who ends up clicking on this post.
been to see the doctor and he advised me that it is very very unlikely that I contracted Zika. He said that also if I had an antibody test, I have been in other places previously and could have had Zika years ago.
he said people in these countries have babies every day and the risk of Zika is really small!
I don’t feel as concerned at all now. Thanks for all of your comments and help! X

OP posts:
MuddaUdders · 08/06/2023 14:53

Glad everything went well :) congratulations on your pregnancy!

Gunpowder · 08/06/2023 19:21

That’s a great outcome. Congratulations OP!

chipshopElvis · 18/06/2023 14:20

Glad you got some advice and are feeling better about everything. Will keep my eyes peeled for a baby update in the new year. I hope that you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.