Had some pain like a bruise on my lower left side of my back, assumed it was just another pregnancy pain. But then two days later a red bumpy rash appeared (looked a little like poison ivy) right where the pain was. My midwife checked it out and said not to worry, all sorts of rashes pop up in pregnancy and it’s rare to get shingles so young. But the next day the pain/itching/burning was worse, so I went to urgent care. Sure enough - shingles!

Apparently anyone who has had the chicken pox can develop shingles at any time their immune system is out of whack (aka pregnancy!) so I’m now on an antiviral and slowly healing. Doc said that there is no risk to the baby from the virus and/or the antiviral, so for that I’m very thankful! Has anyone else developed this in pregnancy (or at all)? It’s so uncomfortable, and because of pregnancy the strongest thing I can take is Tylenol 😥