Fifth's

This afternoon, Asa started developing a rash on his upper body. At first, it was just on his face. He had just been bitten by some sort of insect recently, so I thought maybe it was a reaction. But, in a few hours he had it on his upper body as well. I took him to the pediatrician, and it was the one thing that I didn't want it to be... Fifth's Disease. Now, for the kids, it's not a big deal. Actually, he was never sick, never had a fever, no runny nose. NOTHING until the rash (which he didn't even know he had until we told him). For pregnant women, however, it's a big deal.

It turns out, about 50% of adults have already had it before. In adults, you don't get a rash, just a mild cold. If you get it when you're pregnant, it can cause edema and anemia in the baby. In the first and early second trimester, there is about a 5-10% chance of miscarriage. There is no treatment for the mom, no vaccine, you can just hope that you aren't one of the 5-10% who either lose their baby or have a baby with complications. I don't know if I've ever had it. I'm hoping that my history of working in day care, YMCA, and teaching middle school for 3 years exposed me to it already. Let's hope.

Luckily, I go tomorrow for my maternal/fetal specialist appointment. I'll have some bloodwork done to see if I have already had it before and have antibodies, or if I have an active case. I just hope that they get this bloodwork back today or tomorrow. I cannot wait any longer than that. The incubation period averages at 14-16 days, and it takes 1-2 weeks after getting it for the rash to show, so who knows if I've already gotten it. I wish the preschool had sent a note home to all pregnant mommas as soon as it showed up there. Most schools do, and I will make sure to voice this to them.