Actually scared for my baby

[Aidan's Mummy]

Today I went to the doctors fora flu jab, I mentioned that a child at the nursery I work at has contracted shingles. The nurse talked to the doctor and the doctor came in and explained if a pregnant lady contracts it then there is a risk to the unborn. He said he will take some blood and test for immunity, If I'm not immune they will have to give me a vaccine. I so worried The doctor said it is likley I will have antibodies to it so not to worry but that's easier said than done. Luckily I have some good friends on FB that have reassured which has helped but still panicking x

 

[StaceyKor]

So were you unsure of you've ever had chicken pox?xx

 

[admiral765]

Have you had chicken pox hun coz you can't catch shingles if you have had chicken pox, your antibodies will fight it off so it won't effect baby in any way xx

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I have but the doctor said even if someone has had chicken pox it doesn't always mean they are immune or their immunity can be very low x

 

[chrissy&marty]

fingers crossed for u!! how long do you have to wait to find out if you have the anti-body's??
sure it will be fine xx

 

[mrsrof]

Hopefully everything will be fine. Bit of an odd one isn't it, cause they always talk about rubella and parvovirus but not about that.

 

[admiral765]

hmm well all the articles I have read have said that you cannot contract shingles if you have had chicken pox. My mum suspected she had shingles and I researched it ALOT before she came to visit. Since I had had chicken pox it wasn't an issue. If you haven't had chicken pox, you also cannot contract shingles unless you have direct contact with the rash. I don't think you need to worry whatsoever! xx

Quote from health website:

'If you have had chickenpox in the past, you will be immune. You are not at risk, and you do not need to worry or do anything. About 9 in 10 pregnant women have already had chickenpox as a child and are immune.'

 

[StaceyKor]

Dont worry, i work in a lab...we dont even test women for immunity who know they have had chicken pox before. VERY low level antibodies are required to confer immunity, as with rubella and measles. You really shouldnt worry, your baby will be absolutely fine. Your doc is doing the right thing in testing you for immunity...the best thing to do is use an older blood, such as your booking blood, as that confirns immunity before the contact. A new blood isnt really as useful. Anyway, sure all will be fine, dont worry too much. Hope this helps xx

 

[babymama86]

Fingers crossed for you hun, im sure you and your LO will be ok! Xx

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

fingers crossed for u!! how long do you have to wait to find out if you have the anti-body's??
sure it will be fine xx

They told me to ring back this afternoon and they should know by then, just waiting for the lab to test x

 

[chrissy&marty]

fingers crossed for u!! how long do you have to wait to find out if you have the anti-body's??
sure it will be fine xx

They told me to ring back this afternoon and they should know by then, just waiting for the lab to test x

at least you dont have to worry for weeks on end, would drive anyone

im sure it will be fine keep us informed

 

[kmbabycrazy]

I know two people that have contracted shingles despite the fact they had chicken pox as children but I have heard that you have to have direct contact with the rash and that it's not like chicken pox where it's infectious before the rash.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

Yeah I had direct contact as I was the one that alerted staff memebers to the rash on the child's back whilst changing a nappy. I feel calmer now though ladies so thank you x

 

[Tink84]

I had an outbreak of chickenpox at the nursery I run too.

However my doctor and a parent who is a GP comfirmed to me that although shingles can cause problems for older generations and the very young that there was no risk to myself. When I read up on it it said that there no evidence to back up that shingles in harmful to prgnant women.

 

[TinySunshine]

Hope everything's okay, update us when you hear from them x x x

 

[kmbabycrazy]

As shingles is contagious when they have the rash i think it's a little shameful of the mother to send their child to nursery with shingles. Chicken pox is understandable as the contagious period comes before the rash so by the time it shows up it's too late lol.

I won't judge because perhaps the mother thought it was like chicken pox in that respect. I hope everything goes ok and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Let us know x