Chicken Pox in pregnancy??

Question

My sister is 39 weeks pregnant. Her 4 yr old have just come out in spots and her 3 year old is also showing signs that she is about to have it ie runny nose and high temperature.

Thing is she was hoping to thave the baby at home. What are the dangers of chicken pox to pregnant women and newborns and will she be allowed to have the baby at home?

Answer 1

A home birth would still be possible. Has your sister had it before? There is a good chance she already has antibodies. All the people who are writing that is is harmful failed to read your question where you say your sister is 39 weeks along. All the risks are associated before 20 weeks of gestation.

If your sister should happen to get chicken pox between 20 weeks and term there is no risk to the baby at all. Mom will just endure the illness through its course and then pass on protective antibodies to the baby.

However - one exception - If she did develop a rash within a week of delivery to a month after delivery, it could be a problem since it takes about 1 week for mom to pass on her antibodies, so baby might be at risk of getting chicken pox right after birth.

Either way, this will not affect her dream of a home birth. Good choice!

Answer 2

Risks to the Baby

Firstly, if the mother has definitely had chicken-pox, there is no risk to the baby or her. In any case, even if she doesn't recall having had chicken pox, it is likely she has antibodies (80% do) from a silent (asymptomatic) infection. So if there's any doubt about it, she should see a doctor for a blood test to check if she's immune.

Risks to the baby are important at the following two times, if mum gets chicken-pox:

1. Before 20 weeks - risk of chicken pox syndrome. This is actually quite rare. Up until 14 weeks the risk is about 0.4%, whereas between 14-20 weeks it is 2%. If a woman has VZ-Ig treatment (see below) after being exposed, the risk is even lower.

2. Mum's rash developing within a week before delivery to a month afterwards. It takes about a week for mum to pass the protective antibodies to the baby, so if born before that time, the babe is at risk of overwhelming infection after birth.

Between 20 weeks and term there is no risk to the baby. The other big risk of chicken pox is to the mother. She is much more likely, during pregnancy, to get a chicken pox pneumonia (10%) which can be very severe (even life-threatening).

Getting Treatment

In cases of 'at risk' exposure it is important to give Varicella-Zoster Ig ('man-made' antibodies) to mum and/or baby. This can be lifesaving and significantly reduce the disease severity. It must be given not later than 10 days after exposure.

Remember all of the above ONLY apply if at-risk - ie mum proven not to have antibodies. If in doubt, see your doctor who can do the blood test.

It is quite often that women who are pregnant come into contact with someone who has chicken pox. This can cause great worry, but it is uncommon for there to be major problems.

80-90% of women who are pregnant are likely to be protected from chicken pox, either from previously having the disease or a sub-clinical, 'silent' infection.

I really hope that your sister and her child will e safe :D

Answer 3

Most babies born to women who have chicken
pox in pregnancy are normal. However, 1-2 percent of the
babies whose mothers had chicken pox in pregnancy have
one or more birth defects due to the infection.
The virus that causes chicken pox infects the fetus
25 percent of the time. Sometimes, infection of the fetus
causes a pattern of birth defects called the varicella
embryopathy. The birth defects seen include scars, eye
problems, poor growth, underdevelopment of an arm or
leg, small head size, delayed development and/or mental
retardation. Some babies may have only one of these
problems while others have some or all.
The greatest risk for birth defects is when the
mother develops chicken pox between 8 and 20 weeks of
pregnancy. The risk for birth defects due to chicken pox
infection in the first trimester of pregnancy is 0.5-1 percent.
When chicken pox occurs between 13 and 20 weeks of
pregnancy, the risk for birth defects appears to be 2
percent.

Answer 4

Your sister needs to go to see her GP/ midwife immediately,
Although it is probably going to be good news for her

Chickenpox exposure in pregnancy can cause harm to the unborn baby although risks are much much higher earlier in pregnancy. 80 / 90% of women suffer no harm though so do not panic

Its likely if your sister has had previous exposure to the virus she may be silently immune

If not she may catch it or develop shingles perhaps but once the spots come out you are already past contagious so if she was going to get it she probably would have by now

Good luck

Answer 5

Call the midwife now, it can harm unborn babies but mainly in early pregnancy and i doubt she will be able to give birth in the home or be in the home till the chicken pox virus has gone.

Answer 6

babies have a stronger immune system than us but even with that said, its not worth the risk. imagine the hell of being itchy for the baby and the hell for her trying to soothe the baby. if shes never had chicken pox, she is definetly at risk and the older you are when you get chicken pox, the worse it is. if shes had them before, chances are she wont get them again but it is still possible. get her to talk to her midwife and she will advise her the best decision, but in my opinion its just really risky unless there are strong precautions in effect.

it wont harm the baby necessarily, but think about this: its 3 days after labor and she gets chicken pox. think shes gonna be up to caring for a newborn? hopefully shes already had them. or also, think about if the baby were to get them. on top of them trying to figure out what the baby needs, feeding them, changing them and the baby adjusting to life, they might have a chance of having to deal with bad itchiness and one cranky newborn if their immunities havent kicked in yet. again, she should speak with her midwife and weigh the possibilities

Answer 7

the chickenpox wont have any danger to the baby at such a late stage in pregnancy, if she catches it...however i would urge her to speak to her midwife just to make sure about the birth and the baby coming home afterwards...she will put her mind at rest.

Answer 8

Chickenpox can be a problem at the start and at the end of pregnancy. Your sister should call her midwife for advice.

Answer 9

She will be all right and the baby will be so strong having the antibodies out of his mother

Answer 10

her best bet would be to see dr asap