Is chickenpox during pregnancy dangerous?

According to Mayo Clinic, chickenpox that occurs early in pregnancy may result in low birth weight and birth defects, such as limb abnormalities. Chickenpox can be more dangerous to a baby when the mother gets it the week before birth, potentially causing a life-threatening infection in a newborn.

According to Mayo Clinic, chickenpox is highly contagious. The risk of developing chickenpox is higher for people who have not had chickenpox, have not had the chickenpox vaccine, work in a child care facility or live with children. Most people who have either had chickenpox or the appropriate vaccine are immune to chickenpox. If infected, chickenpox typically lasts between five and 10 days.