Chickenpox and Pregnancy

​What is Chickenpox?
Chickenpox is a very contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is a form of the herpes virus. It typically causes an itchy rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters, which then scab over. Other symptoms can include fever, headache, tiredness, and muscle soreness. Getting chickenpox during pregnancy has risks for Mom and baby. 

How do I know if I’m immune?

• Prior Infection: Most people develop immunity to chickenpox if they have had the disease earlier in life. 
• Vaccination: Another common way to become immune is by receiving the chickenpox vaccine. 
• Blood Test: The chickenpox vaccine came out in 1995, so it’s less likely that people may have had chicken pox in childhood. For this reason, I like to check immunity when clients have pregnancy labs run.

What are the risks of getting chicken pox during pregnancy?
The maternal risks of chickenpox:

• The most common serious complication is pneumonia, which can be very severe and even life-threatening.

The risks of chickenpox for baby depend on when the infection happens during pregnancy. 

• In the first 20 weeks of pregnancy: There's a small risk (about 1 in 50 chance) for the baby to develop a rare group of serious birth defects called congenital varicella syndrome (CVS). The risk is highest between eight and 20 weeks. CVS can cause:
  • Scars on the skin
  • Problems with muscles, bones, arms and legs including malformed or paralyzed limbs
  • Small head size and brain issues leading to intellectual disabilities
  • Eye problems like blindness or cataracts
  • Seizures
  • Gastrointestinal issues
  • Low birth weight
• Immediately before or right after birth (from 5 days before to 2 days after birth): This is a critical time! Up to 3 in 10 newborns will be infected, and they'll likely develop a rash 5 to 10 days after birth. This condition is called neonatal varicella and can be life-threatening if not treated. 
• If Mom has a rash between 6 and 21 days before birth, the baby has some risk of mild infection. If the infection happens between 2 weeks before birth to 2 weeks after birth, the infection in your baby is usually mild. Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks) may also be at higher risk for complications

What can I do to reduce the risk of getting chicken pox?
The best way to protect yourself and your baby is to prevent chickenpox in the first place.

• Get vaccinated before pregnancy: If you haven't had chickenpox or the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting the chickenpox vaccine before you try to get pregnant. It's a two-dose vaccine, and it's recommended to wait at least one month after your second dose before trying to conceive.
•  Avoid exposure during pregnancy: If you're pregnant and not immune, stay away from anyone who has chickenpox or shingles (which is caused by the same virus). Chickenpox spreads easily through coughs, sneezes, saliva, or by touching the rash.