Shingles My 36Th - 37Th Week of Pregnancy

Hi M.,
I'm so sorry to hear you got shingles so late in your pregnancy! (Actually that you got shingles at all!!)

All the information I have indicates that getting shingles shouldn't have any harmful effects on you baby before or after birth. There can be complications from chicken pox, which comes from the same virus, but it's really only if you contract it either BEFORE 30 weeks or between 5-21 days before giving birth.

Good luck and congrats!

The things you need to watch out for are other illness because your immune system is weak. They should not harm your baby, but you do not want to become more sick. If you start to show signs of respiratory infection or the singles spread away from their nerve line they are on then it could get more serious and you need to seek medical attention quickly. Have you already seen your doctor? There is an cream to put on the shingles that is safe to use even when your pregnant. As for other things, I would suggest asking your doctor about. Feel free to call them up on the phone and ask your questions. That's why they are there!

just wanted to let you know, if you have to go without an epidural, it could actually benefit you. i just had my daughter without one, and it HURT (*hurt* doen't even describe the feeling!) but it was fast! plus, i seemed to bounce back pretty quick, and my daughter was much more alert and quicker to nurse than my son, who i had an epidural with. just in case you can't get one, just know it's not the end of the world! plus, there are other iv meds that can take the edge off.

I had shingles in both of my pregnancies and was able to deliver vaginally with an epidural. You should be fine. Make sure you tell your pharmacist before taking the medidicine that you are pregnant. There are different levels of the medicines to treat the virus and you have to make sure it is the right one. I know b/c I was accidently given the wrong level my first pregnancy and the pharmacist caught b/c she knew I was pregnant.

Good luck!