Fifth Disease During Pregnancy

Not to scare you or anything. My best friend was exposed and got Fifths disease when she was 18 weeks pregnant. The doctors were worried about the baby becoming anemic. Unfortunately she lost the baby when she was 25 weeks pregnant. The baby did become anemic and his little heart could not keep up. My friends doctor monitored her weekly due to the risk.
I know that this is not what you really wanted to hear, but I thought I would tell you what the concerns were for her. Again, she not only was exposed she also contracted the virus.
M.

If you are relatively healthy and have a normal pregnancy, there is very little chance that Fifth Disease can have any lasting ill-affect, even if you aren't immune already. Worry weakens the immune system. Under such circumstances, I always find it best to find out what I can do to be stronger and force my mind to visualize the possibilities I choose to happen.

What my health care physician told me when my son had it is to take pro-biotics or eat plain, whole, organic yogurt (small amounts throughout the day) (If you aren't used to plane yogurt, try it on some granola with fresh fruit or stir in some juice and honey and drink it). Also, you can ask a doctor if it is alright to increase your vitamin C and calcium. I cannot imagine why any doctor would not tell you how to strengthen yourself immeditely instead of scaring you.

The warnings we get from many doctors create too much fear and fear always weakens us. Instead of being encouraged, we are often terrified by their suggestions that something could be terribly wrong. And there is nothing in the world easier to frighten than a pregnant woman. This technique of scaring patients is employed to encourage compliance, so you will follow their instructions. Instead of taking time to educate you a bit so that you can understand and encouraging you to take steps to strengthen your own body, they tell you to get tested and wait to hear about some minute possibility of some devestating problem. This approach to 'health care' is, in my estimation, careless on a professional level and a bit cold and heartless on a human level.

I read a book written by an MD who said that he was taught by a professor in medical school that the only thing easier to manipulate than a woman is a mother. He said they were actually taught to respond to a mother's questions with phrases like, "You don't want to hurt your baby, do you?" Although I thought that was extreme and likely an isolated instance, when I was interviewing pediatricians while pregnant with my son, I was shocked by how many times I heard that response to some very simple questions about what their routine procedures were. As soon as I heard that question from a doc, I knew he had no respect for me or my child. These doctors did not want any patients whose mothers knew enough to ask what they intended to do with their children.

I learned how to shop for a doctor and have been very pleased with the caring, respectful, encouraging physicians that have helped us stay healthy for many years. I just wish they were not so rare. I feel it is important to recognize that education should not be allowed to breed arrogance. For some reason, we often fail to remember that, although doctors should certainly be respected for their knowledge and skills, they are still working for us and our families. They should not be allowed to leave us feeling helpless or to treat us rudely or carelessly. We all have the responsibility to protect even the moods of a pregnant woman.

Your children are blessed to have such a caring mother. Have yourself a really wonderful day!!!

You need to see your Dr. I read along time ago in a parenting magazine when I was prego what diseases ca be harmful to the unborn and I believe this was one of them

I was teaching kindergarten when I was pregnant and exposed to Fifth Disease. I went in for a blood test and it did take a few days for the results to come back. The nurse told me when she finally did call that most people are exposed to Fifth Disease at a young age and no one realizes it. Therefore you are immune to any further exposures. I had had it at some point and not even realized it (or my mother/father reazlized it). I see no problem in calling your doctor's office and asking when to expect the results.

Jenn, they are testing your blood to see if you already have the antibodies. Most likely, you are already immune, and your baby will be fine. (I think the baby is in the most danger in the first trimester, anyway.) I went through it with my first pregnancy, and my pregnant sister just went through it, too. I wouldn't worry about it!

I dont know anything about this so I did a little research see below:

I am 14 weeks pregnant and testing showed
that I recently had fifth disease. Is my
pregnancy at increased risk of problems
because of the infection?
Many studies show that the majority of
women who become infected with fifth disease
deliver healthy babies, without birth defects,
prematurity, or other problems. In a small
number of cases, fetal loss (miscarriage or
stillbirth) can occur. Infection resulting in fetal
loss is more likely to occur in the first 20 weeks
of pregnancy, with a risk of around 10%.
Infections after 20 weeks gestation have a risk
for fetal loss that is more in the range of 1%.
Fetal infection with fifth disease can
lead to inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
and can damage the bone marrow so that red
blood cells cannot be made. This in turn can
lead to anemia. If the heart damage or anemia
is severe, hydrops (excess fluid in fetal tissues)
can occur and may lead to fetal death.
Sometimes, the hydrops disappears and most of
these babies will be normal. Rarely, a baby is
born unable to make red blood cells and will
need transfusions.

I also found this:

http://www.babycenter.com/0_fifth-disease-parvovirus-b19-...

Hope it helps

I worked at a Day Care Center when I was pregnant with my first and was exposed to it. They did the same thing. Nothing came back in the blood work and they did and Ultra sound on me to look at the baby and make sure there wasn't anything. I would call your Dr. and ask them if the results are back.

my son was recently exposed to fifth disease so i did a little reading as well (probably some of the same things you read). i can offer two things. #1, no news is good news. almost always, when dealing with dr. tests. if something had come back "iffy" they'd have called you. if it's really bothering you, call them and they'll be glad to tell you "all clear". #2, my impression, and from talking to my son's dr. at his checkup, was that most people get it at one point or other, and often without knowing it (or thinking it's a cold or another bug). and once you have it, you're immune. so try not to worry! i bet you have nothing to stress over. good luck!

I was also exposed to it during pregnancy and was told they would just closely monitor the baby for growth changes, etc. I was immune to it, and chances are good you are too, but I wouldn't worry too much. Worrying doesn't help anyone! Stay calm and just call the doc for the results. It took mine two weeks to get them in.

I don't know much about Fifth's Disease, but I was exposed to Chicken Pox when I was pregnant with my first child and went through pretty much the same ordeal. But, if you haven't heard anything from the doctor, then more than likely everything is okay. You know the old saying, no news is good news. If you can't stop thinking about it though, you could call your doctor's office and at least speak to the nurse if not the doctor, that is what they are there for, to answer any questions that you may feel you need answered. I would think that the tests are more for them to know what to expect so that there are no surprises or doubts. Hopefully this helps. Good luck and God bless!

Chances are that you already had the Fifth disease when you were a child. Also, I think the ill effects on the baby occur mostly in the first trimester. I, too have a baby due in July and was exposed to Fifth Disease earlier this spring. I never showed any signs or symptoms, so I didn't worry about it. I always think no news is good news from the dr.'s office. Call your dr. if you really want to know what is up.

My daughter came down with it last Nov, a week before I found out I was pregnant. The blood test will show if you have been exposed or not. My babysitter was nine months pregnant at this time too. Her test came back that she did have exposure to fifth disease. She was far enough along that the doctor wasn't worried. If it happens in the earlier stages, first trimester, that is when there is some concern. I didn't have any antibodies show up on my test so I was fine. My babysitter's baby was good too.

I've heard that its especially bad if you're in your first trimester. It can cause a miscarriage. I'm sure it could induce labor at this point, which is still very early and you wouldn't want that. Still, try not to worry. I'd call the Dr to let them know you're anxiously waiting.

Hi Jenn-
Both of my daughters contracted fifth's disease while I was pregnant with our son last year. I was in the second trimester. The school nurse sent home information about the disease and the dangers of being exposed while pregnant. She suggested contacting my nurse-midwife. I called and was told there was no need to worry as I was past the first trimester. Apparently, if you are exposed to Fifth's diseasse during the first trimester while the baby is forming there is a risk of birth defects for the baby. Also, she said that I would not need to come in to see them unless I displayed symptoms and then they would run a test. As it turns out, I never did show any symptoms and never had a test at all. My son is perfect. Also, they told me that most adults have more than likely already been exposed or have had Fifth's disease. It is typically a disease of childhood, although adults can contract it. I would not worry at all since you are past the first trimester and have not displayed any symptoms. And, if there were any problems they would have contacted you pretty quickly I would think. Hope this helps!

They maybe be checking to see if you already have the antibodies for it. If you do then you should be fine. I would focus on that because you are just going to make yourself crazy with worry. Try to stay postive, it goes along way.

Hello! My friend just went through this, she is due in July also!

They tested her blood to see if she has previously been exposed to 5ths, because then you are immune,and already have the antiboties, if not then they told her they would have to monitor the baby every week by ultrasound, because it can cause anemia (sp?) which would have to be treated by a blood transfusion.

I hope and pray that everything is okay for you and your baby!
And I would definately call the Dr. office to see if they have the results yet, and if not when you will get them.

B.

I actually contracted 5th's disease while pregnant..I was almost half way through my pregnancy. So, you are farther along than myself. My OB told me the risk of complications is much higher if exposed in the first trimester.
They also said most adults already have immunity to this disease and so it is not as common for adults to get this vs kids.
It took almost a week to get the results back...they are checking the Parvo B19 and the immunoglobulins that would show if you have had a past exposure (immunity-IgG...or if you have had a recent exposure- IgM. I am a nurse who works for a dermatologist, so that really is the reason I know about the tests. My OB didn't tell me anything either.
I wouldn't worry right now...especially since there really is nothing you can do about it if you have it. It took about a week after my son had the rash, before my rash appeared....so that might be something to look for. My skin felt hot...my cheeks were bright red and I had the lacelike rash on mainly my arms. But, my skin felt hot to me, like a sunburn.
I really panicked when I found out I had actually contracted it..did a lot of research on the internet ect..but, you really have to read a lot of it, so you are not just taking one sites information. I did go to the CDC web site..which is a trustworthy place. But, you can really find some contradicting information.

Hope this helps...
L.

Call your doctor's office to see if the results are back. They often only call you if the results are positive, and often only mail you an "everything was normal/negative" letter in the mail weeks later. There is no need for worrying if the results are back and everything is fine!

My pregnant daughter just went through this 2 weeks ago! She had the blood work done. I couldn't remember whether she'd had 5th disease or not. Sorry.. after 4 kids... who could remember? But anyway, they were looking to see if she'd become immune by either having it or being exposed. The doctor said that many times you could have been exposed and not gotten it, but you still got the immunity. She tested that she was immune. Call the doctor and ask about the results. You had the test done, and have a right to know the results. I know it would put your mind at ease, it sure did help my daughter to know. Also, the doctor said that the danger is in.. if you get it from your son. Then, your unborn baby 'could' get it. A lot of unknowns. They said that if she'd tested that she hadn't had it, they'd have to watch her closely. So, call that doctor and find out. Why worry, when there may be no reason?

I thought that maybe I had it because I had a weird rash followed by joint pain. I just went to webmd.com and typed in my symptoms and that's what I came up with. I went to the doctor and she didn't say that's what I had because I didn't have the "slapped cheek" appearance. She did say it was something viral though. Fifth Disease can cause anemia so I believe that's what they look for when they do a blood test. I also read that it seems to affect the fetus more if it's in the 1st trimester and people that already have weakened immune systems. Webmd.com seems to be helpful. If you're still worried I would just talk to your pediatrician about it. Good luck! You and the baby should be just fine :)