Chickenpox can be very dangerous to a pregnant woman and her baby. A majority of adults are immunized against this childhood disease today because they caught it themselves as children.
If a woman has already had the chickenpox, she is immune to it. She should still remain vigilant, however. Even though it rarely happens, a woman can put her life and the life of her unborn child in danger if she contracts the disease while pregnant.
Chickenpox can be more severe if you catch it while pregnant, and you are more likely to develop dangerous complications, such as pneumonia. If this is the case, a pregnant woman puts her life in danger and the fetus may also lack oxygen.
This contagious disease can cause abnormalities in an unborn baby such as skin abnormalities, neurological damage, skeletal or muscle developmental problems, eye problems or developmental delays.
A pregnant woman who comes into contact with someone with chickenpox should immediately inform her doctor. The doctor will perform tests to check for chickenpox antibodies and, if necessary, start a treatment to protect mother and child.