Health – Chicken Pox and Pregnancy

If the mother has had Chicken Pox or had a vaccination, there is no risk to the baby from her exposure. Antibodies for chicken Pox will be passed to the baby thorough the placenta throughout the pregnancy.

Even if not, its at least 80% likely she has antibodies against it from a silent(asymptomatic) infection.

If the mother is not already immune, there are only a few circumstances where infection could cause harm to the child. Within the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy(some say 8th-12th weeks), there is a small risk of congenital varicella syndrome, which can cause birth defects.

Late in the pregnancy, at most one week before to a month afterward there is a risk for disseminated varicella infection, which can strike before a transfer of material antibodies to the baby. This one is more serious, an infection that causes death in 25% of cases.

The last complication is a danger to a non-immune mother, who has a greater chance(10%) of contracting chicken-pox pneumonia, which can be life threatening.

If you have had chicken pox before, then you’re safe. If you’re uncertain, check with your doctor to be on the safe side.

Keep them babies healthy.

Resources

Chicken Pox in Pregnancy – About.com

Chicken pox and pregnancy – Women’s Health

Chicken Pox During Pregnancy