Shingles and Pregnancy

During pregnancy, women have many concerns about their unborn baby. The biggest worry is if their baby will be healthy, and have all their toes and fingers. Another added concern is shingles infection during pregnancy. Infection can be passed to the baby via the placenta. Therefore, it stands to reason that the mother-to-be has more than just the pressure of being pregnant to think about. If the mother is exposed the varicella virus while pregnant and develops an infection, this can pose a serious risk to her unborn child.

Varicella zoster is the virus that causes chickenpox (varicella) and shingles (zoster). A woman who is expecting a baby is vulnerable to chickenpox if she has never had this condition. Most people get chicken pox as children and are immune to it, but are at risk of getting shingles later in life. It can be brought on by stress and a weakened immune system.

Pregnancy in a woman who has never had chickenpox is at extreme risk of getting a varicella infection, which could cause harm to her baby, depending on the stage of pregnancy. A chickenpox infection before the 30th week can cause birth defects (varicella embryopathy) and miscarriage. Expectant mothers who have not had the chickenpox should avoid crowds to prevent exposure to the virus.

Testing:

The health care professional will check for fetal development using ultrasound, or sound waves to check for:

• Limb defects


• Brain problems


• Growth problems


• Extra amniotic fluid


• Liver problems


• Severe fetal swelling

Risks:

Between the 8th and 20th weeks of gestation is the time period of the greatest risk for defects to occur. There is a two percent risk between the 13th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. Birth defects become apparent in the 18-20 week gestational period.

The expectant mother should have a blood test to check for antibodies to the chicken pox virus. She is not immune if no antibodies are present, thus her risk of infection is high. Zoster immune globulin (ZIG) can be given if there has been exposure. ZIG is a blood product that has chicken pox antibodies, resulting in a less severe form of varicella. It may even prevent infection and should be given within four days of exposure. Zig does not cause birth defects.

If you have had chicken pox before, you have active immunity both you and your baby should be fine. However, it is advised to avoid direct contact with anyone who has chickenpox or shingles. If you have shingles, avoid babies younger than 12 months and women who are pregnant.

No one can catch shingles from you, but they can develop chickenpox if they have no prior history or have not been vaccinated.

by Barb Hicks, RN/LMT