Catching Hand Foot & Mouth Disease when pregnant?

[ss79]

Going to visit friends next weekend, she's just texted today to say her youngest whos about 10months old has hand, foot and mouth disease. She wanted to let me know so I can double check with midwife. I looked online and it just says its very contagious but adults rarely get it. If you get it in late pregnancy its bad but doesnt say what if I get it now?

Does anyone know anything about it, have your kids have it, have you been around children with it? thanks xx

 

[ss79]

Oh well, no visiting friends for us unfortunately.

Midwife has strongly advised against it. Foot Hand and Mouth is highly contagious and spread by sneezing, coughing, germs on the wind etc. Even if the rash has gone it could still be lingering and the other kids may already have it as it takes 3/4 days for the rash to appear once you have caught it.

Very very bad for bump to catch so we have a day to ourselves rather than visiting. Upset not to see them but better to be safe then sorry. xx

 

[heidi-hi]

Hey... Ive got no experience of it or dont know anyone who has had it but better to be safe than sorry like u say and like your midwife said I'd defo stay away. Wait till it's all properly cleared up and check with the midwife about how long u should wait before thinking about visiting. Try find something else nice to do to fill your day xxx

 

[Kay1987]

Hiya, did your midwife say how long until you can see them? my friend is coming up with her little boy next wkend 2 stay with us but he has had it this week, do u think it will b safe 4 them 2 stay with us by then? x

 

[clairebear22]

I had hand foot and mouth when I was about 9 and it's the only illness that has really stuck in my mind!! It was so painful, big blisters on the soles of my feet, palms of my hands but luckily I didn't get any in my mouth. My little Sister caught it at the same time and she was 2. She got it so bad the blisters were right down her throat and she couldn't eat for days so lived on cold drinks! I remember us both sitting in our garden in a cool paddling pool to relieve the burning of the blisters!

Defo best to stay away from anyone who has it!

 

[ss79]

kay1987, I would double check with your midwife but to be honest I would think its best to avoid them too. If he has it right now I don't know how long it lasts. Phone the midwife and see for def. Maybe if you've had it when you were small you might have immunity, I don't know?

clairebear22, ooh that sounds sore. My pals wee boy has it in his mouth and across his body.

 

[xshauna_bazx]

Awww thats crap hun but best to be safe.

Definitely ask your Midwife Kay.

xxx

 

[Katie21]

Can't believe your midwife strongly advised against it. I work in a day nursery and we had it going around for weeks when i was in early pregnancy so i had no choice but to be around it and children don't have to be excluded from school or nursery, my midwife did'nt seem bothered about it. The only illnesses dangerous in pregnancy is chicken pox and slap cheek. It's weird how midwifes can advise different things. I probably would have stayed away if i had the choice though as it does'nt look very nice.

 

[Alexandra84]

Can't believe your midwife strongly advised against it. I work in a day nursery and we had it going around for weeks when i was in early pregnancy so i had no choice but to be around it and children don't have to be excluded from school or nursery, my midwife did'nt seem bothered about it. The only illnesses dangerous in pregnancy is chicken pox and slap cheek. It's weird how midwifes can advise different things. I probably would have stayed away if i had the choice though as it does'nt look very nice.

That was my impression too. I even went online and looked it up and it says that it's very rare for adults to get it as you'd most likely been exposed already and that it's even more unlikely that it's passed on to your baby unless you're very close to giving birth. It didn't mention that it was at all dangerous for pregnant women or anything, just an inconvenient and uncomfortable disease for small children.

 

[ss79]

thats what I found online too. I thought it was more dangerous for late pregnancy. Still, I'm not arguing with the midwife

 

[Kay1987]

yeah i looked it up on NHS website and it didnt seem 2 bad but im at the midwife on tuesday so i'll go with whatever she advises, thanks. x