30wks pregnant and chicken poxs

[Tashmomof3nearly4]

I'm 30 weeks pregnant and my son nursery has chicken poxs going around how safe is it to send my son in who hasn't had chicken poxs TIA

[KellyTrip]

I have also wondered this. I believe it's safe if you have had it but not certain? My son hasn't had it either and it's going around at his nursery.

[Tashmomof3nearly4 in reply to KellyTrip]

Hi thanks for replying I've searched for hours through the internet if you've had chicken poxs before your at a very low risk of getting it or baby being infected by it but says if got any symptoms contact midwife or GP

[KellyTrip in reply to Tashmomof3nearly4]

It's confusing isn't it? Information is conflicting. It's will ask at my midwife appointment but it's not until 12th as I am only 8 weeks!

[Tashmomof3nearly4 in reply to KellyTrip]

Too confusing but NHS site is the one to read I've read through it loads but if your only 8 weeks I've copied this for you to read from Nhs site just ring your midwife in the morning or if you can't wait until then there should be a number to call on your green notes for advice etc xx

Chickenpox during pregnancy can cause complications, both for the pregnant woman and the unborn baby. However, the actual risk of any complications occurring is low.

It's rare to get chickenpox when you're pregnant. In the UK, it's estimated that just 3 in every 1,000 women (0.3%) catch chickenpox during pregnancy.

Most pregnant women who get chickenpox recover, with no harmful effects on the baby.

When to get medical advice

Seek advice from your GP or midwife immediately if you're pregnant and:

you think you may have chickenpox

either you've never had chickenpox or you're not sure, and you've been near someone that has it (even if you have no rash or other symptoms)

you get chickenpox within seven days of giving birth

Complications for pregnant women

You have a higher risk of complications from chickenpox if you're pregnant and:

smoke

have a lung condition, such as bronchitis or emphysema

are taking or have taken steroids during the last three months

are more than 20 weeks pregnant

There is a small risk of complications in pregnant women with chickenpox. These are rare and include:

pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs)

encephalitis (inflammation of the brain)

hepatitis (inflammation of the liver)

Complications that arise from catching chickenpox during pregnancy can be fatal. However, with antiviral therapy and improved intensive care, this is very rare.

Complications for the unborn baby

Complications that can affect the unborn baby vary, depending on how many weeks pregnant you are. If you catch chickenpox:

Before 28 weeks pregnant: there's no evidence you are at increased risk of suffering a miscarriage. However, there's a small risk your baby could develop foetal varicella syndrome (FVS). FVS can damage the baby's skin, eyes, legs, arms, brain, bladder or bowel.

Between weeks 28 and 36 of pregnancy: the virus stays in the baby's body but doesn't cause any symptoms. However, it may become active again in the first few years of the baby's life, causing shingles.

After 36 weeks of pregnancy: your baby may be infected and could be born with chickenpox.

[KellyTrip in reply to Tashmomof3nearly4]

Thank you! He only goes on a friday thankfully so has managed to avoid them so far! I have had them before which I guess is better than if someone hadn't?! I usually stick to the NHS too. I find other sites talk rubbish sometimes.

[Tashmomof3nearly4]

No problem!! It makes you feel better talking to someone else xx Yeah other sites just confuse you with Nhs it from trained medical team hope everything goes ok for you and your little doesn't get it xx

[Chazb]

Hi, Iv just been through the same thing I'm currently 33 weeks and my little boy and his friends had suspected chicken pox. I had chicken pox as a kid but the GP did a blood test with me anyway to check for anti bodies to make sure I was still immune to catching it. I am, therefore no risk to bump getting it too. Speak to your GP and see what they advise for you too.