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Chicken pox in pregnancy can be a serious problem when a woman catches the disease in the first or second semester of pregnancy, as well as in the last 5 days before delivery. Generally, depending on the woman's gestational age at the time she catches chicken pox, the baby may be born with low weight or with malformations of the arms, legs or brain, for example.
To avoid chicken pox in pregnancy it is important to avoid contact with people who have chicken pox, just as it is important that the woman get the chicken pox vaccine before becoming pregnant, if she has not taken it during childhood.
Risks of chickenpox in pregnancy
The risks of chicken pox in pregnancy vary according to the gestational age, that is, when the woman is infected in the first weeks of pregnancy the risk of passing the virus to the baby is lower, but if this happens it is possible that the baby has complications during its development. On the other hand, if the infection happens between the second and third trimester, the risks for the baby are lower.
In general, the risks related to chickenpox in pregnancy are:
- Low weight;
- Development delay;
- Scar lesions on the skin;
- Hypotrophy of the arms and / or legs;
- Vision problems;
- Mental retardation.
In addition, when the woman has chicken pox in the 5 days before delivery and up to 48 hours, it is possible that the baby will also get chicken pox, and it is recommended that she stay in hospital so that the appropriate treatment is done and complications are avoided.
If the woman has signs and symptoms of chickenpox during pregnancy, it is important to contact the obstetrician to prevent complications, and in some cases the administration of anti-varicella immunoglobulin may be recommended, in addition to it being possible for the woman to take cold baths to lower the ferret, avoid scratching the wounds and keep the nails cut.
Chickenpox symptoms in pregnancy
The symptoms of chickenpox in pregnancy are the same as chickenpox in childhood, with the appearance of red spots first on the face, but which spread easily throughout the body, and cause a lot of itching. In addition, the woman may experience headache, fever, vomiting and diarrhea
The pregnant woman with chickenpox symptoms should immediately consult the obstetrician who is following the pregnancy or go to the emergency room to start the appropriate treatment, avoiding serious complications, such as dehydration, which can also affect the baby. Here's how to identify chickenpox symptoms.
How to prevent chickenpox in pregnancy
The best way to prevent chicken pox in pregnancy is to have a vaccination before becoming pregnant. Usually the vaccine for chicken pox is indicated during childhood, the first dose being indicated at 12 months and the second between 15 and 24 months.
However, if the woman has not been vaccinated during childhood and has not had chickenpox throughout her life, it is important to get the vaccine before becoming pregnant, since this vaccine during pregnancy is contraindicated and can only be taken after delivery and during the breastfeeding period. Learn more about the chickenpox vaccine.
If the woman has not been vaccinated before pregnancy, it is important to avoid contact with people who have chickenpox, as this way it is possible to avoid infection, reducing the risks for the baby.