A Little Bit Lost: August 2008

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

This one wants to stick

Have just had my 3 month scan today and it reveals a very healthy active wriggling baby. With a heartbeat (always my favourite bit). I am so relieved to find someone in there although as I am already looking pregnant I did suspect things might be working out. But wow its good to have confirmation that I have got past this first hill. With a few mountains still to cross. But you know I have decided that I am just going to enjoy this experience (well try my very best) and expect good things for this little one. So for today as least I am happy.

The Virus that Killed My Baby

Pregnancy and parvovirus B19 (‘slapped cheek’ or fifth disease)
Human parvovirus B19 is a virus that causes slapped cheek syndrome, also known as Fifth disease. The main symptom is a rash on the face that looks like you have 'slapped cheeks'.
The virus commonly affects children. It is difficult to avoid coming into contact with parvovirus B19 because infected people do not always show symptoms (such as the rash) while they are contagious.
It is thought that 60% of adults have been infected with parvovirus B19 at some point in their lives, without showing any symptoms. Your body fights off the illness by creating antibodies against it and from then on you are immune to the virus. This means that it is unlikely that you will catch it again.
If you catch parvovirus B19 while you are pregnant, there is only a small chance of it affecting your baby. If you are infected during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, there is an increased risk of miscarriage. If you are infected in weeks 9-20, as well as the 15% risk of a miscarriage, there is also a 3% risk that your baby will develop foetal hydrops. This is a rare, but serious condition that can cause heart failure and anaemia.
There is no routine screening test for parvovirus B19 in pregnancy. However, most pregnant women with parvovirus B19 infection usually go on to have healthy babies.
See your GP as soon as possible if you think you have come into contact with parvovirus B19 during pregnancy. Your GP will carry out a blood test to look for antibodies for the virus, from a current or previous infection. There is no evidence to suggest that reinfection or reactivation will harm your baby, or that there is any increased risk of abnormality occurring in newborns.
If you test positive for parvovirus B19 in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, you will have ultrasound scans throughout your pregnancy to monitor your baby. If your baby develops foetal hydrops (abnormal fluid in the development of the baby), they may need a blood transfusion to improve their chances of survival.

A Little Bit Lost

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

This one wants to stick

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The Virus that Killed My Baby