Isabella, our oldest daughter (5), was just diagnosed with Fifth's Disease. I am not certain I have ever had it. All studies indicate that if you get it before 20 weeks of pregnancy (I am 16 1/2 weeks) the baby is at increased risk of severe problems (a rare and severe type of anemia, fetal hydrops, heart problems, etc.) and even fetal death. I am a wreck!

Please pray for me and especially for my little baby boy! Please pray that they find I am immune to it, which may be the case since you can have an infection of this without knowing it. I will be talking to my OB on Monday and will likely have a blood test to determine if I am currently infected or have the antibodies for it.

Thanks

Michelle

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

Michelle,

I am so surprised reading your message. One of my boys had Fifths disease in Kindergarten. It ran through his classroom like wildfire. I always thought that it was no big deal. I've also had many students at school with it. Wow, you learn something everyday!
I will keep you in my prayers.

mom to:
Ryan 32 The Lawyer
Jason 30 The Chief Meteorologist
Chris 30 The College Student
Tim 30 The college grad

I love hearing their versions of their childhood memories!!

It is no big deal - for the kindergarteners. But for a fetus it can be bad news. The good news for psalm is that most likely she already had it, and even if not chances are low that she will catch it and it will affect her baby. I know I tested positive for the antibodies even though i don't remember ever being sick with it.

Cheers,
loveourtriplets

Mom to two-and-a-half year old gbg snugglebunnies

Cheers,
loveourtriplets

Mom to 7 year old GBG triplets and a 4 year old princess

Michelle

You will be in my prayers. I remember reading about potential problems during pregnancy when exposed to fifths disease when my kids had it in preschool. I asked one of the other moms from school, who was @ 14 (?) wks pregnant then, what her docor said about it. It was also the first time one of her kids had it (that she recalled at least). I remember that her doctor didn't seem too concerned, and I got the impression that complications were pretty rare ? I know that no matter how rare, it is worrisome though . I also remember hearing that almost all kids end up getting to some degree, so that would work in your favor. Her baby was fine, didn't have any problems at all. Prayers really do help. I hope you get some reassuring news soon.

Lorraine

Lorraine

Reach for the heart of God and not just His hands.
Organ donation saves lives!
Life happens when love is given.


http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bradenwild

Michelle,

My 10 yr old daughter was exposed to it while I was preg with the triplets. I had the blood test and was found immune because I thought she had had it before. Good luck. I know the worry it brings.

Ann

BBG born 7/7/03
33 weeks 3 days

Michelle,
Many prayers for you & belly bean Boy!!!!! Please keep us posted on what the Doc says.
take care, Lou

I was exposed to Fifths during my pregnancy. Like you, I was scared to death and it was the longest week waiting for my test results. Fortunately, I was immune to it.

It might comfort you to know that most of us have had it as children. I think it's very common- like chickenpox. Our moms just didn't know about it because it doesn't make you terribly ill. So, chances are you've had it and are immune to it.

Will definately keep you and that precious baby boy in my prayers.

Best Wishes!
Michelle
mommy to Sophie, Isabella, and Lexxy
(4/03)

~Michelle
mommy to: Gracie, Sophie, & Izzy
(4/12/03) The best day of my life!
http://theglennfamilyadventures.blogspot.com/

Dear Michelle,

I am so sorry for this worry for you...I'd send you my antibodies if I could! Let me know how you are, hang in there.
Sincerely,

Karolina
Mom to b10/11/91 & bbb 6/14/00

Oh, how terrifying! Most adults are immune to it, and I am praying that you are also. When will you have the results?

{{HUGS}}

Mom of a princess, age six, and two princes, age 4

Thanks to each of you. In a panic at midnight last night, I did some more research. I read that about 50% of adults are immune to it. Of those not immune that are exposed in pregnancy, only about 13% will contract it. Of those that contract it in pregnancy, only around 5% will have a baby with complications or experience a loss. And of the babies that do get sick in utero, some heal in the womb and are born without any complications. The only bad statistic I read is that when there is a large outbreak of it, then the stats for fetal loss go up to 15%, but I think that may include loss for other reasons, too - it didn't specify.

So, those are pretty reassuring. I am trying to stay positive, figuring I probably have had it and didn't know it. Even if you get it as an adult, you may never develop a rash. I have had so many different jobs around children that I probably have had it and never knew it. I am hopefully getting the test tomorrow.

The most difficult part of the percentages is that I have already been on the negative end of low statistics before, so it is harder to stay positive, but I just really feel God has a plan for this baby boy.

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

You are past 12 weeks, too, so that is to your advantage...

Mom of a princess, age six, and two princes, age 4

In this case, you need to be past 20 weeks for the baby to be out of danger, though. However, I am feeling more confident. I think everything will be okay. I just can't wait until I can get this blood test taken care of so I can be reassured once and for all!

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

Michelle,

I'm so glad you did the addl research. My understanding was that a pg woman was most at risk in the first trimester so you are past that as well.

Hopefully you'll get the test tomorrow and it will hopefully confirm that you are immune to it. Please update.

Marie

Marie

I wanted to reply to your fifth's disease. Before i had my son, I was an elementary school teacher. Fifth's disease is VERY common but really never heard of, unless of course you work in or with young children. While teaching and pregnant, I had numerous students that were diagnosed with fifth's. Kid's that I daily hugged. At first, I was very scared and upset. I talked to my doc. and did research (3 years ago). I never got Fifth's disease and never had it. I was exposed to it throughout my pregnancy. Hopefully, this will put a little peace in your mind. I never was tested but I think that is a great idea and put it all in God's hands! Please let me know your results.
Meli

Meli
Elijah-4yrs. old
Spontaneous BBB triplets born at 34.3 weeks 6-8-04
Adam- 5lbs 11 oz. 18.5 inches
Ryan- 4lbs 6 oz. 17.75 inches
Joshua- 5lbs 17 inches

Thanks. That is reassuring.

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

Michelle

I am also 16 weeks pregnant and my daughter has 5th disease as well. I went last week for a blood test which will determine if I am immune or had a recent exposure. I get the results back tomorrow. From what I have read and was told, there is a very low risk that the baby will get the virus and even lower that the baby would have severe complications. I am just keeping a positive attitude that everything will be okay.

I will say a prayer for both of us tonight.

Jenni
mom of ABC 11/1/98
edd ? 6/20/04

thanks. praying for you, too. do you know what you are having?

Michelle

Mom to three beautiful girls and a precious baby boy!

http://www.shaklee.net/healthyhomematters

My drs office just called. I am immune. The nurse said in all her years of practice, she has rarely seen an active case of 5th in a pregnant woman. I feel better.

I don't know what I am having yet. I had an u/s at 8 and 12 weeks and should have one tomorrow. I am consulting with my peri who delivered my trips on whether I should have the amnio (I am "advanced maternal age") and also on my cervix.

Jenni

Michelle ((((hugs))))

Sending prayers to you & your family! Take Care and God Bless.

Amy~

Amy~
Paige, Austin & Hailee - 9yrs
10/29/98 34w1d

All three of you are in my prayers: Isabella, Michelle and Baby.

Theresa
mom to Amelia-8yrs
Katherine- 6yrs
Sam, Jane, & Sarah- 5/26/01

Theresa
DD-9
DD-7
GBG- 3.5

michelle,

you and your baby are in my prayers.

vintage