Petrified I have chickenpox or shingles - 33 weeks pregnant

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

Chickenpox when I was a teenager, and I'm now 33 weeks pregnant. My dc has chickenpox at the moment and I'm so scared I've got it again.

Since this morning I've had pressure above my right eye, nostril and upper right molar. I assumed it was sinus pressure. Now I have a banging headache and a sore throat.

I know chickenpox and shingles start as a cold or flu like symptoms.

Could this damage the unborn baby?

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

That should read I ha chickenpox when I was a teenager.

[Sparklingbrook]

Hello. I have found this if it is any help?

[Sparklingbrook]

You could always ring NHS Direct if you are worried. x

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

Thank you sparkling

[Sparklingbrook]

You are welcome. How are you feeling?

[capercaillie]

You're unlikely to get chickenpox again but it could be - immune systems nor being as they should be.

But if you have got it, then it's the best time in pregnancy to get it. I had it at about 30 weeks pregnant.

I would recommend speaking to midwives. I had no luck with out of hours doctor etc - apparently pregnancy and chickenpox = emergency and I should go to A&E. no way! The midwives were much more informed about implications on pregnancy and what I should do

[capercaillie]

At 33 weeks, chickenpox wouldn't be likely to damage the baby as it's already formed etc. It's not good to get it closer to the birth but I can't remember reason why - maybe getting feeding established etc

[sittinginthesun]

No expert, but I think the danger with chickenpox at the end of a pregnancy is the risk the baby could actually catch it. There are complications if a baby under 10 days old catches it.

You're still a few weeks off your due date.

[pettyprudence]

I had cp when my dm was pg with dbro - I was put in quarantine (my gp's house) but my brother popped out in spots 30 mins after he was born! As it was late in the pregnancy, it had no real impact on dbro and breastfeeding was established with no problems. I know that's only anecdotal but I believe from a friend who had fertility treatment (who had to have cp immunity testing before treatment could begin) that it's only an issue in early pregnancy.

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

Thank you everyone, sparkling I feel unwell like I have a cold - thumping headache, pressure and pain behind eyes, sore throat and blocked nose. My worry is whether this is the cold or flu like symptoms you get before the spots.
Am really hoping its just a cold, it would be such bad luck to get it twice as an adult.

[elfycat]

Call your Midwife. I assume you had the standard blood tests at the beginning? One of them would have tested for your immunity to Chickenpox so a quick call can put your mind at rest about catching the chickenpox virus.

This wouldn't stop you having a shingles flare up, but your symptoms don't sound like shingles which is usually a pain and rash in one area of the body.

[capercaillie]

Chickenpox immunity isn't automatically tested in pregnancy blood tests. I had to ask to have it done. They refused to test 1st time which was a bit naughty. I was tested in 2nd pregnancy when son in contact with pox. I should have stood my ground first time!

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

elfycat I called the MWs and asked them about this and they said that all immunity levels are checked at bookin and that I'm fine and not to worry...they didn't ask my name though so they didn't know who they were speaking to is it safe to assume they would tell you early on if you're lacking in a certain immunity?

[KatieHalfPrice]

I had shingles when pregnant and there was no effect on the baby. The anti viral medication is safe for use during pregnancy.

However, you can't catch shingles from CP. someone who has never had CP could develop it from coming into contact with shingles but not the other way around. Hopefully it's just a cold or sinus trouble you're experiencing.

[elfycat]

If you have your book with you with all the results in the back you could look it up. It will be listed as varicella-zoster and you'd be looking for a positive result (ie positive to finding it in your system as an immunity) unless anyone else midwifely wants to correct me.