risk of chicken pox exposure in pregnancy!!

[ishumom]

Hi:

I am 36 week pregnant and have a complicated issue. Actually my elder son who is actually immunized with varicella vaccine (at 14 months for chicken pox) got very mild infection. I am also immunized with vaccine; so far no trouble for the baby in womb. My doctor asked me to get ready in 8-10 days (after 37 weeks anytime), it made me so worried as if baby is borne with in 8-10 days would it harm him as my elder son would take time to recover. We met with his doctor who assured that there is no harm for baby born after 8-10 days, though it would be great to isolate my elder son with him for a while which is really not practical. I have also read that despite being immunized sometimes pregnant mothers catch the infection which can be severely distressful for the new borne. Did somebody go through the similar phase, I?m really sad with this episode.
thanks

[Nelle]

Hi Ishumom!

I think if your doc isn't too concerned about the chicken pox being an issue, then perhaps try not to worry. If you can't keep your son too far away from the baby, perhaps ask the doctor for ideas to help avoid bub being affected, like hand washing, son not kissing baby, etc. Try and find out how long chicken pox is contagious for, so that you know how long to be alert for.

And who knows when you'll have bub - 'full term' is classed as anywhere from 38-42 weeks, so (I know heavily pregnant people don't like to hear this!) bub could be weeks away still. All the best.

[belle75]

Hi!
I agree, If Dr is concerned I wouldn't worry myself too much. Chickenpox is only contagious till blisters come out. So your son is no longer contagious. Avoid scabs and liquid from blisters coming into contact as this can sometimes have active virus therefore be contagious. Try to isolate all contact such as kissing, towell sharing, bedding etc.
HTH and good luck for the birth.

[ishumom]

Thanks a lot for your concern, yesterday I met with my Dr, she asked to be alert next 14 days if there develops any sign of fever or rashes, though she assured that chances of contract are minimum & she showed my previous report of varicella immunization. My son who is going to be 6 next week looks really poor as he had so many plans for the newborn.......anyways, its life
thanks again