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Chickenpox during pregnancy: consequences, is it dangerous, who had chickenpox
Chickenpox during pregnancy is rare, but far from safe. In order not to get infected with chickenpox, you need to follow certain rules, since this disease can lead to adverse consequences.
Is chickenpox dangerous during pregnancy?
According to statistics, only one in 2000 pregnant women gets chickenpox. And first of all, those who did not suffer from this disease in childhood are at risk.
Chickenpox during pregnancy is dangerous for the baby
With a timely visit to a doctor, chickenpox ends in full recovery, but in some cases it can harm both the expectant mother and the baby. If you have not had chickenpox before, the consequences may be as follows during pregnancy:
- slowing down the growth and development of the fetus;
- abnormalities of the visual apparatus or visual impairment of the child;
- violation of the development of the baby’s brain;
- scars on the child’s body.
The likelihood of contracting the fetus with chickenpox is especially high in the period up to 12 weeks, after the 13th week the risk decreases, and after the 20th week it is practically zero. However, if the expectant mother falls ill a week before childbirth, this can provoke a severe form of chickenpox in the newborn.
How to protect yourself from chickenpox during pregnancy?
The best protection against chickenpox is vaccination, but you cannot be vaccinated while the child is waiting. If you are just planning a pregnancy, the vaccine should be administered no later than 3 months before conception.
To protect yourself from infection during pregnancy, you need to observe the following precautions:
- avoid childcare facilities and crowded places where infection is possible;
- do not communicate with children and adults who have any skin rashes or manifestations of a cold;
- vaccinate their own children and spouse, if they have not had chickenpox;
- wash your face and wash your hands thoroughly after each walk;
- do not contact children who have chickenpox.
During pregnancy, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle and stop smoking, since it increases the risk of infection to some extent.
If it was not possible to protect yourself from chickenpox, you should immediately consult a doctor. When confirming the diagnosis, the condition of the woman and the fetus should be monitored daily by specialists.
Chickenpox, like other diseases, is an extremely undesirable phenomenon while waiting for a child. The expectant mother should take all possible measures to protect herself and her baby from infection.