Slapped cheek in pregnancy

[CancelledCheque]

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.

I contracted parvovirus at 6 weeks. I remember how upset I was and so fearful. I write this within earshot of my now 6 year old running around laughing outside with his friends. Wishing you the very best.

I've just had a call from my doctor who confirmed my suspicions that I had slapped cheek at about 9 weeks (I'm now 13 weeks exactly). I woke up one morning with arthritis like symptoms all over my body and I'm quite anaemic (can be a symptom in adults). I've been referred to fetal medicine for monitoring, but I'm crossing everything that my very positive dating scan yesterday is a good indication that there aren't currently any complications at least.

Im just joining this thread for comfort really, as I've received confirmation today that my bloods came back positive for the virus too (had them done last week). I'm exactly 20 weeks today so would have contracted the virus maybe around 18/19 weeks...got it from my toddler who had come up in a rash but is now totally fine.

Now just the anxious wait of seeing what the obstetrics team at the hospital say, assume they'll call me tomorrow. Really anxious time but just need to stay off Google and have a positive mindset. It's comforting to see others going through similar situation AND those that have had positive outcomes already in previous pregnancies.

Side note, I sat out in the sun today and it's defo brought the rash out on my legs, they are so bloody itchy this evening.

Sorry you are in this situation. I am getting weekly scans (had my second scan today), and so far everything is good and I’m reassured that the consultant is thorough and taking things seriously. I’m confident that any sign of hydrops in the baby will be picked up quickly and treated. I hope you are feeling better.

Sorry you are going through this as well. My itchy rash was pretty bothersome for a couple of weeks, and I used piriton to help especially at night when it kept me awake. My obstetrician is doing a thorough scan every week for 8 weeks then will take it from there. I’m obviously still aware that there is a chance of problems, but it’s reassuring that I’m being so closely monitored. I hope you get word from the obstetric team tomorrow. 💞

I've now been contacted with an appointment for the fetal medicine team on Monday. I've not been told what to expect from the appointment or what will happen going forward, but I guess I'll find that out on Monday. I was also asked to go in today for a second set of bloods for antibody testing as apparently they need two confirming the diagnosis. Either way I'm just glad something is happening now!

Hi there, your fetal medicine appointment will likely involve a detailed scan, so wear clothing allowing access for an ultrasound (top you can lift up and bottoms you can pull down a bit) rather than a dress. You should probably also attend with a full bladder as you are in your early second trimester. Your scan will likely be done by an obstetrician who will check for excess fluid around the heart, abdomen, lungs and under the skin. My scans are being done weekly, but I know other places will do them fortnightly depending on their protocols. I hope all goes well.

Thank you @CancelledCheque I think I might be weekly as I have another appointment the following week, but I'll find out on Monday.

I had my first fetal medicine appointment today and everything looks good right now. I'll have appointments every two weeks until I'm 26 weeks. They checked baby's growth and blood flow to the brain and the blood flow along the umbilical cord as well as signs of fetal hydrops and ascites. Thankfully everything was looking reassuringly normal.

The doctor confirmed that they are seeing a big increase in parvovirus infections at the moment. They also advised that vertical transmission occurs in approx 20-30% of maternal infections, so there's a good chance that the baby won't have picked up the infection.

Just updating this in case anyone is ever in the same position. I'm 16+6 and had another fetal medicine appointment yesterday, and thankfully everything was fine. No signs of hydrops or anaemia. I've got another scan in two weeks and then my 20 week scan two weeks after that. If all is fine I'll be discharged from the fetal medicine team as the danger zone is the first 10 weeks after the maternal parvovirus infection. Feeling like I can relax a bit as my infection was about 9 weeks ago.

I’m so glad your scans have been fine so far, that’s great news. I have continued having weekly scans and so far mine have been ok, although my obstetrician did call me back to repeat one of them because she thought there could have been too much fluid in the scalp (looked fine on repeat scan); and the blood flow measurement in one of the brain arteries to screen for anaemia has been borderline high, so I’m still a little nervous that could worsen. My obstetrician says she will continue to scan weekly until 23/24 weeks (I’m just over 20 weeks now). So I still have a few weeks before I can relax properly.

I also had about a teaspoon of bright red bleeding around a week ago. The early pregnancy triage ward got me in and made sure my cervix was closed and baby’s heartbeat was good on Doppler. My weekly scan was two days later and baby was very active. Thankfully it came to nothing, but I was quite worried it could be the beginning of a miscarriage. I have been finding this pregnancy so difficult!

Hi @CancelledCheque I'm just wondering if you and your baby are both fine?

Just coming back to update on this. We had no complications and my baby is now a very healthy 1 year old. I hope everything went well with you @CancelledCheque