I’m currently 14 weeks pregnant, and my DS came out in a classic slapped cheek rash 3 days ago. As soon as I saw it I realised that that was probably the cause of the unusual illness I had had in the fortnight prior. I felt like I had the flu; spent most of the week in bed utterly exhausted; had an itchy red rash on my arms and legs (plus a little on my face); and had sore knees, elbows and wrists. I am still tiring easily, sometimes I am very itchy and I’m having to go to bed early.
I contacted maternity triage for advice and they asked me to request blood testing for parvovirus/slapped cheek from my GP. This was done on Monday and I’m now waiting on my results. The nurse at the practice wasn’t sure how long they would take but advised me to chase them after a week. I’m absolutely positive that I have been infected. I’ve looked up the guidelines and I’m aware that infection in my current stage of pregnancy puts my miscarriage risk up to 10-15%, with a smaller risk of the baby developing hydrops. I am mostly ok and able to focus on the fact that the chances of everything being ok are 85-90%, but I can’t help feeling upset at the prospect of losing this baby in my second trimester, and maybe having to tell my kids (and everyone else) the bad news.
I guess I’m just looking for anyone who has gone through similar, and maybe a hand hold while I’m in limbo. Even if my blood results come back negative, I have been told I will need them repeated in a couple of weeks as it can sometimes take time for the antibodies to appear.
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Pregnancy
Slapped cheek in pregnancy
CancelledCheque · 17/04/2024 16:44
kat21984 · 18/04/2024 01:05
Hi @CancelledCheque hope you get some good news soon!
Just to let you know Im in exactly thw same position this week. 13 weeks pregnant. My two boys both have had it with very few symptoms but the rash.
I've felt awful the past 3 days-now have a bad cough and terrible headaches so going to call the GP in the morning (also had bloods on Monday I am waiting on!)
I've read some positive stories on here but feel a bit more anxious as I feel so ill with it :(
Wishing you luck and fingers crossed for both of us!
Busyhedgehog · 18/04/2024 05:24
Keeping my fingers crossed for you that it'll all be OK.
DS had slapped cheek about two weeks ago. I was already 24 weeks by then and I've had blood tests right at the start of pregnancy (due to me being a primary school teacher, my gynaecologist got those done straight away). I had tested positive for antibodies so didn't stress too much about it.
It's quite likely that you've had it as a child and would therefore be immune.
kat21984 · 23/04/2024 21:04
I completely understand-this must be so worrying for you :( and I felt exactly the same last week!
I got my results on Friday in the end (so 5 days) - I had IgG and no IgM antibodies so it looks like thankfully I must have had exposure but not very recently. Both my boys definitely had had it last week. My GP also said its everywhere at the moment. My nephew 4 hours up country also got it the same week!
I was so ill last week (and still recovering) so god knows what other awful virus I had.... And then I also got a severe stomach bug/suspected food poisoning over the weekend which I'm also recovering from.
Feels like all these bugs are out to get us!
I really hope you get your bloods through soon so they can sort out next steps (or hopefully find you have immunity too!)
piechipsgravy · 24/04/2024 17:32
Hi @CancelledCheque can I join you in waiting for results? I'm a reception teacher with an outbreak in my class/year group. I asked my midwife about it last Tuesday and she just said 'avoid it as much as possible' so I pushed my GP for a blood test which I had last Thursday. Still waiting on results but had a sore throat this week so really scared that I have got it and baby will be affected. I'm 12 weeks today so right in the danger zone 😩
The positive is that the percentage of woman who get it and pass it on with complications is low but it's obviously not 0. I've not been in work since Monday as cases kept increasing and I didn't feel comfortable taking the risk but am beating myself up for going in last week and exposing myself/putting my pregnancy at risk.
quinceandcheddar · 26/04/2024 06:23
Sorry, to everyone going through this but just wanted to thank you for highlighting the issue because I thought I was going mad. My son came home with what was clearly slapped cheek last week. Im nearly 19 weeks PG. We kept him off all week and I started to develop symptoms- I now have an awful cough, itching all over and generally feeling unwell. I called my GP on Weds and he mentioned nothing about any blood tests, just said to take honey with my tea! I feel totally fobbed off and like an idiot.
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