Shingles Disease

This makes it equally impossible to stop the virus from causing damage to the fetus since it is a mystery as to how to keep the virus from transmitting from the mother to the unborn child.
We all want our babies to be happy and healthy, and the months during a pregnancy, especially the ones nearest the delivery date, are the most stressful. That is because for the most part we understand all the threats out there. The complications that are possible are forever at the forefront of our minds, and that is without even once worrying about unknown complications in more than a generalized way. If you have had chickenpox before then you are capable of getting the shingles virus as well. While most people do not have to worry about shingles until well after middle age, there are occasional cases where the virus, which lies doormat, is jumpstarted into action.

Considering that shingles usually hits when the immune system is weakened, then it is understandable why so many woman fear contracting the virus during their pregnancy. Shingles has been known to cause damage to the fetus, and as a direct result, has been the basis for problems revealed later on in the child’s development. Therefore, the fear of a combination between the sickness and pregnancy is valid enough that measures should be taken just in case.  Diet and exercise may sound like the fallback plan of health specialists but the reason why is because they are effective. Eating right and taking care of your body before, during, and after your pregnancy goes a long way towards strengthening your immune system.

As stated earlier, the shingles disease strives on weak immune systems so the only, and most effective, way to fight it is to stop it dead in its tracks. Another effective way to fight the good fight is to avoid people who have either shingles or the chicken-pox, especially if you have never had the former before. You cannot catch shingles from someone who has it, but you can catch the chicken-pox. While it may not be as dangerous as the shingles disease, it is still bad for you during such a critical time. It is easier in the long run to simply avoid that which makes you uncomfortable or nervous. A mommy with a healthy mindset as well as a healthy body has a greater chance of birthing a healthy baby. Just like anything else, there is a time period which is the most dangerous for both yourself and the baby to become infected with the disease. A few days before the actual birth of your baby is the worst time to contract shingles disease. Before then would have brought complications true, but so close to the actual birth could be life-threatening for a newborn. Because they are so new, your body has not had enough time to pass along enough life-saving antibodies. In addition, since the baby is still so young and underdeveloped they cannot yet create some for themselves, nor do they have any immune system to speak of. Not a very effective one anyway. In order to give our children the start that they need for a full and healthy life, we should start at the basics.

Taking care of ourselves by getting vaccines for things like shingles could save the life of our offspring no matter if that was the original intention or not. Our children should not be treated out of their lives simply because we did not do everything we could for not only them, but ourselves as well.  The chicken-pox may not seem like a big deal, but the same cannot be said of shingles. Talk to your doctor and get whatever tests you need for no other reason than this: If someone grown can barely survive a shingles outbreak, then what can we reasonably expect from a baby who is no more than a few hours old?    

Since Shingles can harm your unborn child you should be extra weary to avoid this disease during this period. If some symptoms of the disease occur you should visit a doctor immediately.