Change NHS policy on chickenpox testing for pregnant women
Change NHS policy on chickenpox testing for pregnant women
The Issue
My personal experience has driven me to raise awareness and advocate for a change in the NHS policy regarding the testing for chickenpox antibodies in vulnerable individuals, primarily those who are pregnant.
At just 5 weeks pregnant, I contracted chickenpox from my eldest child. Despite visiting the GP three times and A&E twice over a two-week period, my concerns were not addressed, and I was not tested for chickenpox because I was uncertain about having had it during my childhood. This oversight had devastating consequences. I developed a severe reaction to the virus whilst pregnant, which resulted in my child developing congenital varicella syndrome and tragically losing her right foot at only 14 months old due to the limb deficiencys it caused.
Chickenpox can have serious implications for both expectant mothers and their unborn children. The current NHS protocol does not automatically test pregnant individuals for chickenpox antibodies unless they are certain about their immunization history or previous exposure, leaving a significant gap in preventative care. Many pregnant women, like myself, are unsure of their chickenpox status and are left at risk when exposed to the virus. This poses a severe threat not only to their health but also to the health of their unborn children.
I urge the NHS to implement a more inclusive and proactive approach by revising their current policy to automatically test pregnant women for chickenpox antibodies when exposure is suspected, regardless of their certainty of previous infection. This change would ensure timely identification of at-risk pregnancies and allow for appropriate medical intervention, potentially preventing severe outcomes like congenital varicella syndrome.
Supporting this petition is a step towards safeguarding the health of both mothers and their unborn children. Let's prevent others from enduring the heartache and challenges that my family has faced.
Please sign this petition to call on the NHS to update their policy and protect vulnerable expectant mothers and their babies from the preventable risks of chickenpox exposure.
538
The Issue
My personal experience has driven me to raise awareness and advocate for a change in the NHS policy regarding the testing for chickenpox antibodies in vulnerable individuals, primarily those who are pregnant.
At just 5 weeks pregnant, I contracted chickenpox from my eldest child. Despite visiting the GP three times and A&E twice over a two-week period, my concerns were not addressed, and I was not tested for chickenpox because I was uncertain about having had it during my childhood. This oversight had devastating consequences. I developed a severe reaction to the virus whilst pregnant, which resulted in my child developing congenital varicella syndrome and tragically losing her right foot at only 14 months old due to the limb deficiencys it caused.
Chickenpox can have serious implications for both expectant mothers and their unborn children. The current NHS protocol does not automatically test pregnant individuals for chickenpox antibodies unless they are certain about their immunization history or previous exposure, leaving a significant gap in preventative care. Many pregnant women, like myself, are unsure of their chickenpox status and are left at risk when exposed to the virus. This poses a severe threat not only to their health but also to the health of their unborn children.
I urge the NHS to implement a more inclusive and proactive approach by revising their current policy to automatically test pregnant women for chickenpox antibodies when exposure is suspected, regardless of their certainty of previous infection. This change would ensure timely identification of at-risk pregnancies and allow for appropriate medical intervention, potentially preventing severe outcomes like congenital varicella syndrome.
Supporting this petition is a step towards safeguarding the health of both mothers and their unborn children. Let's prevent others from enduring the heartache and challenges that my family has faced.
Please sign this petition to call on the NHS to update their policy and protect vulnerable expectant mothers and their babies from the preventable risks of chickenpox exposure.
538
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on 1 February 2026