Shingles during Pregnancy...

[lilgemsy]

Anyone had this?
Im 33 weeks pregnant and got diagnosed with shingles today.
However I havent had any treatment or anything given and was only told to stay away from other pregnant women... wasnt given any more info than that, basically.
Someone fill me in please? :/
Will it be dangerous for my baby?

 

[PeanutBean]

Shingles in fine. It's only an issue if you have never had chicken pox and catch chicken pox but shingles is not a concern in pregnancy though it might be horrid for you!

 

[lilgemsy]

Thank you. Very reassuring to know!
Im not too bothered about me aslong as LO is ok

 

[DarlingMe]

Actually shingles is a huge concern during pregnancy. Not to scare you. But I am an RN and we are absolutely not allowed to care for patients with shingles or even a shingles appearing rash. The virus is the same virus that causes chicken pox, just shows different symptoms in some people.
They can give you an anti-viral and Im not sure why they didnt b/c shingles can be very painful and can last for several months. They can also give you a medication called neurontin (in US) for nerve pain, but I am not sure of the risks of neurontin during pregnancy or what the UK equivalent is. Often times they give a topical cream as well.
Again not trying to freak you out but I am sure you are asking b/c ur doc told you not to worry! I hope all is well. They also say after 24 weeks your risk is much lower for any problems to the baby.

https://www.webmd.com/baby/shingles-during-pregnancy

 

[lilgemsy]

They didnt give me anything whatsoever for it
If it starts getting much worse then I may go back.
Thanks for the info!

 

[PeanutBean]

Well that's a surprise as I had a shingles scare last pregnancy and there was zero concern and I have often seen women on here having shingles and have never once heard of a doctor being concerned. Chicken pox, yes, definitely. Very strange...

 

[DarlingMe]

Is it your OB or midwife that diagnosed you? I would think they would give the anti viral just to be safe... Hopefully they know more about it! But I would def talk to my midwife about.

 

[lilgemsy]

GP diagnosed it and phoned Labour Ward to double check I wouldnt need some injection or something.
But at first they said I would need an injection then suddenly changed thier minds.

 

[DarlingMe]

Well that's a surprise as I had a shingles scare last pregnancy and there was zero concern and I have often seen women on here having shingles and have never once heard of a doctor being concerned. Chicken pox, yes, definitely. Very strange...

Maybe we are more paranoid in US? lol. Actually a couple UK articles/sites came up. The NHS site had some scary info too. Glad it turned out ok for u! I am sure the hospital I work at is over cautious so we can't sue for a job hazard too! *rolls eyes*

 

[PeanutBean]

I don't know... I didn't have shingles in the end but they were clearly not bothered either way and like I said I've often seen ladies on here have the same response. In general we're quite relaxed here about chicken pox though (not in pregnancy!), we don't vaccinate for here. My husband had shingles and they were like oh yeah, so it is. He didn't have any medication. Fortunately it wasn't bad and he didn't get neuralgia, just the rash on his trunk. Definitely no suggestion of antivirals.

Shingles is only in people who've had chicken pox anyway so presumably the relaxed attitude is because though people should have natural immunity and perhaps that means less risk to the foetus.

 

[LouLou78]

Shingles is only a worry to those pregnant women who are not immune themselves. This became true also when my daughter ended up with Shingles whilst I was pregnant and medical were not concerned because I am immune having had chicken pox as a child.

 

[holidaysan]

I had a shingles scare the other day. Nobody seemed to concerned though. They just asked if i had had chicken pox (which i have) and gave me an examination.

Turns out it wasnt shingles but the doctor in ER did suggest that if it was i might need some sort of monitoring if it was. Call your midwife or antenatal ward. Stop worrying yourself and just give them a call. They won't mind. Even if its nothing to worry about your bound to be worried. We all worry about are babies!

xx

 

[lilgemsy]

The hospital see me enough so probably why they havent wanted to monitor me.
I was supposed to stay in the other night though but they said I was contagious so had to go home as they had no isolation rooms left, which I found a tad unfair... they have more than enough side wards lol. Was treated as though I had the plague or something!

 

[holidaysan]

The hospital see me enough so probably why they havent wanted to monitor me.
I was supposed to stay in the other night though but they said I was contagious so had to go home as they had no isolation rooms left, which I found a tad unfair... they have more than enough side wards lol. Was treated as though I had the plague or something!

Lol, i had an appointment aswell and was worried i wouldnt be able to go to it. All turned out fine though. Yeah that is a bit unfair. I hate it when things don't go smoothly.

Hope it passes quick xx

 

[Eleanor ace]

I had shingles in the 1st tri, I didn't receive any treatment either. I was told to stay away from anyone who hadn't already had chicken pox, and my FIL as he was having chemo. I was very concerned about the baby but the doctor said the baby would be fine and that I would just feel wretched for a few weeks (which I did). I'm 24 weeks and everything seems fine with Bug .
Try not to worry, and I hope you feel better soon- shingles is exhausting!!

 

[prettykitty]

This is a weird question I have come up against myself this week!

Ive been in close contact with someone whos been diagbised as having shingles in the last week and Ive never had chicken pox myself, but having spoken to m/w and gp neither are bothered and consider it a high risk unless I have been in contact with the persons blisters who has the shingles.

I hope you feel well soon chick xxx

 

[lilgemsy]

This is a weird question I have come up against myself this week!

Ive been in close contact with someone whos been diagbised as having shingles in the last week and Ive never had chicken pox myself, but having spoken to m/w and gp neither are bothered and consider it a high risk unless I have been in contact with the persons blisters who has the shingles.

I hope you feel well soon chick xxx

Well I hope theyre right and that you dont get them! -touch wood-
x