Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Hi Ladies! We've been blessed with #2 coming this September and when I went for my initial dr.'s appointment, I asked about zika concerns for the summer. I was only asked if we'd be traveling at all, which we aren't, so was told no major concerns.

Now, this weekend I got a mosquito bite, I guess in our yard. I feel like even taking the most diligent precautions, mosquito bites are an inevitable part of summer on LI. How am I going to mentally survive this summer without freaking out?!

Anyone calm my nerves? Have any reassuring words for me?

Thanks, ladies. Not looking forward to a long hot summer indoors.

Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

speak to your Dr, you can be tested

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

First of all, congrats! I'd definitely look for an all natural bug repellant, but even being really careful, you're going to get bit. But, so will everyone. I don't think there's any cases currently that have originated in NY, so I think you should still be okay. It's scary though, I'm sure! Talk to your doctor, but I think that mosquitoes carrying Zika are not being found here!

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Thanks, both. Yes, I called my dr and am waiting for a call back, but it's going to be a long summer if I have to get blood work every time I get a bite.

The CDC site says that so far in 2017 there have been about 125 reported cases in pregnant women, 124 of them coming from travel and the outlier from "other" sources (so maybe sex with an infected partner?). It says presently you're not at risk for transmission while traveling within the US. None of the current cases were from local mosquitoes, yet.

I could use some real advice and guidance though! I mean, it's not even mid-June and I've got more than three months to go!

Everyone gets bit, I'm sure I'm not the only one. Trying not to be a nervous nelly . . .

Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

There are no known zika carrying mosquitoes in NY. Every single case of a mother being infected with zika in NY has been because they traveled to a place with zika, not that they were bitten by a mosquito with zika here in NY.

I know it's really scary, but so is everything in pregnancy. Unless you start exhibiting flu like symptoms there isn't anything to worry about. I know that's easier said than done, but wear bug spray when you are outside and try to go about life as normal.

We had our yard sprayed for mosquitoes as well just to be on the safe side, but my doctor is not concerned about zika unless I have traveled or plan on traveling to a known zika region (which I'm not).

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

I get my lawn professionally sprayed (not just for Zika, but because my husband has lymes and we can't risk him getting another tick bite). I also almost always wear Repel Lemon Eucalyptus spray when I'm outside.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Message edited 6/12/2017 2:17:16 PM.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

First, I think you are ok. I think there are mosquitoes in NY that are at least theoretically capable of transmitting zika, but no cases that we know of yet. I would take precautions to prevent bites, but I wouldn't panic that you were bit.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Hi. I was pg last year starting in June. I stayed in most of the summer, because Mosquitos love me. I wore longer pants or sweaters if I was going to be out. I did speak to my doctor about it and they really felt if you are not traveling, it will be ok. Zika really isn't here. I still would not take chances so I stayed in as much as possible, because I also did not feel comfortable using mosquito spray. But it was very stressful regardless. ETA - I did do my daily routines, etc, but did not go in lawns if I could avoid it and stayed in after dusk. It was well worth it to me, I only got one bite that summer.

Message edited 6/12/2017 9:09:05 PM.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

This was me last summer. Honestly, I just stayed inside most of the summer as I was too afraid to get bitten but also worried about putting on chemical bug spray. In the end, I was bitten I'd say about five times, but I was totally fine. There are no known cases of direct mosquito to human transmission originating in our area. I don't think you should freak out.

ETA we also had our property treated with eco friendly spray for mosquitos and ticks the summer I was pregnant.

Message edited 6/13/2017 12:12:44 AM.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

I live in South FL and my doctors said that the Zika virus is no longer a concern for this area in regards to direct contact from mosquitoes as it was this time last year. You should be fine. They are still taking precautions for individuals who leave the country ans travel to an area where there is a current outbreak or a known outbreak

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

I tend to freak out about pregnancy things because, well, I always fall into slim odds and if .015% of the population were going to get Zika in NY, I'd be patient zero. That said, this is one worry that doesn't concern me. Hopefully that's reassuring.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

I was pregnant last summer too when the outbreak happened, I just sprayed natural bug repellent and stayed inside, it was too hot anyways to be outdoors and pregnant. I wore leggings and loose short sleeve tunics or maxi dresses. You will be fine.

Re: Help! Baby #2 and the summer (zika related)

Think of it this way. Unless you live in an active transmission zone, for a bug to bite you and for you to get zika, you'd literally have to be the first.

You could be the first to get anything bad--a resistant bacteria, a new disease...anything.

If you're going to worry aout being the first in a zika outbreak, you should worry about being the first in any outbreak.

Or, realize that you have no reason to worry about any of it.