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Chicken Pox And Pregnancy

July 13, 2007

How can Chickenpox affect my unborn baby?

If you get chickenpox while in the first or early second trimester of pregnancy, there is a small chance (0.4 – 2.0%) that your baby could be born with birth defects known as “congenital varicella syndrome.” This usually means the baby will have limb atrophy and scarring of the skin. Sometimes there are problems with the central nervous system and eye abnormalities.

Chicken Pox And Pregnancy

How can I protect my unborn baby from Chickenpox?

  1. If you’ve never had chickenpox, get vaccinated at least one to three months before becoming pregnant. Do not get vaccinated once you are pregnant or less than one month before becoming pregnant.
  2. If you are susceptible to chickenpox (you have never had chickenpox and have not been vaccinated), and you live with someone who is susceptible, that person should get vaccinated. Vaccinating close contacts of a susceptible pregnant woman is the most effective way to protect against the disease.
  3. If you are susceptible to chickenpox, as soon as you deliver your baby, you should be vaccinated. The first dose of vaccine can be given before you are discharged from the hospital and the second dose at the 6-week post-partum visit. The vaccine is safe even if you are nursing.
  4. Stay away from anyone who has chickenpox. This includes people who have been vaccinated and then get a very mild form of the disease (usually little or no fever and fewer than 50 skin lesions), called “breakthrough” chickenpox. “Breakthrough” chickenpox is still contagious and can lead to serious complications.
  5. If you are susceptible to chickenpox and find out that you have been exposed (or been in contact with) someone who has chickenpox, call your doctor immediately.

source – cdc

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