Chicken Pox

Custom Search

Most pregnant women already have immunity to the chickenpox virus. If you have had the virus there is no need for concern, because once you have had it you are immune for life.

If you have not had the virus, chickenpox can be a risk for you and your baby if you contract it while you are pregnant. There is a vaccine available for chickenpox, but it is recommended that pregnant women should not be vaccinated for chickenpox.

If you are not immune to chickenpox and you suspect that you have been exposed to the virus, you may receive an injection of anti-chickenpox antibodies (varicella zoster immune globulin, VZIG). VZIG is safe for you and your baby. When administered within 96 hours of exposure, it helps prevent chickenpox or can lessen its severity if you do contract it.

Chickenpox infection in a baby is rare, however the virus is capable of crossing the placenta. If the fetus is exposed to chickenpox virus in the first few months of pregnancy, it can cause fetal abnormality about 20 percent of the time.

During the second half of pregnancy, chickenpox does not seem to harm the fetus.

If the baby contracts chickenpox shortly before birth or during childbirth, the newborn is at risk of developing a serious form of the disease.

The chickenpox virus is contagious 1 or 2 days before the rash appears. If you do not have immunity and someone you are with has developed chickenpox, contact your health care provider immediately to receive ZVIG.

Related Pregnancy Articles

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search What is Cervical Cerclage? Cervical Cerclage, also known as cervical stitch, is a surgical procedure for the treatment of incompetent cervix, which places stitches in the cervix to hold it closed. It is used in an attempt to prevent preterm labor. Cervical Cerclage is performed under anesthesia. [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search Vaginal yeast infections, also known as Candidiasis, or Candida albicans commonly occur during pregnancy. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the Candida albicans fungus. Yeast infections occur frequently in pregnant women due to fluctuating hormone levels and increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Yeast thrives in a moist [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search What is Blighted Ovum or Anembryonic Pregnancy? Blighted ovum is a fairly common complication of pregnancy and cause of early pregnancy loss. A blighted ovum is a fertilized egg that did not develop or that stops developing. It is caused by abnormal chromosomes in the fertilized egg. [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search Bleeding during pregnancy can be very frightening, but is not always problematic. Most women who experience bleeding during pregnancy will give birth to a healthy baby. Causes of Bleeding in the First Trimester: Implantation- You may experience some light bleeding early in pregnancy, maybe 10 to 14 [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search Your health care provider may prescribe bed rest for you due to complications during your pregnancy. About 1 out of 5 women will be prescribed bed rest at some point in their pregnancy. Why is Bed Rest Prescribed? Bed rest is prescribed for a variety of pregnancy [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a bacterial vaginal infection that is common during pregnancy. It occurs when there is an increase in harmful bacteria in the vagina. Douching and having multiple sex partners increases the risk of BV. What are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis? Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) [...]

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search What is Anemia? Anemia is a condition in which there is a deficiency of red blood cells in your body. It occurs when your body isn’t getting an adequate amount of iron for red blood cell production. Up to 20 percent of all pregnant women develop iron [...]

Many normal changes occur in the vagina during pregnancy. Your vagina has more blood flow, which may cause it to have a swollen appearance or look darker. You will likely experience vaginal discharge that is white and slightly acidic. This is normal. Pain in the vagina or pain in the crotch area during pregnancy can result from a number of causes including varicose veins, round ligament pain, and pressure on the cervix.

@import url(http://www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css); google.load(“elements”, “1″, {packages: “transliteration”}); Custom Search During pregnancy your body produces a mild-smelling or odorless milky discharge called leukorrhea. This discharge is comprised of secretions from the cervix and vagina, skin cells and normal good bacteria. Its job is to protect the birth canal from infection. If vaginal discharge is making you uncomfortable: [...]