Chickenpox Symptoms in Pregnant Women
The symptoms of chickenpox typically manifest between 10 and 21 days following exposure to the virus. Initially, a pregnant woman may experience mild symptoms resembling those of the flu. Soon after, a rash accompanied by itching appears on the face, chest, and abdomen, progressively spreading to other areas of the body. This rash initially presents as small red spots that enlarge and develop into blisters. Ultimately, these blisters and spots dry out and crust over. The contagious period for this infection starts 48 hours before the appearance of the blisters and continues until the blisters have completely crusted over.
Complications of Chickenpox in Pregnant Women
For the Pregnant Woman
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of experiencing complications from chickenpox, particularly with certain risk factors present. These include the use of steroid medications during the last trimester of pregnancy, respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or emphysema, and being beyond the twentieth week of gestation. While the complications of chickenpox in pregnant women can be quite severe, advances in medical treatment, including antiviral medications and exceptional medical care, have made such complications rare. Notable complications include:
- Pneumonia
- Encephalitis
- Hepatitis
For the Fetus
Exposure to chickenpox infection during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on the fetus. If a pregnant woman contracts the infection during the first twenty weeks of pregnancy, it may lead to congenital varicella syndrome. Symptoms of this syndrome can include limb shortening, vision issues such as blindness, brain damage, and scarring. However, the likelihood of a fetus developing this syndrome if the mother contracts chickenpox after the twentieth week of pregnancy is quite low—around 1%. Nevertheless, the fetus may still be at risk for other complications, such as being born prematurely, which is defined as being born before the 37th week of gestation.