Feb 02 2010
Herpes and Pregnancy
As any pregnant girl knows, protecting your baby is top priority. For girls infected with the herpes virus, this becomes even a lot of of a concern. Whereas the chances of a girl with herpes passing the virus onto her baby are slim, there’s still a chance that the child may become infected with herpes at the time of birth. Talking openly together with your doctor and educating yourself on herpes and pregnancy and how it can affect your pregnancy and baby are your best tools to shield yourself and your child. Following are some questions that you’ll have if you are experiencing herpes and pregnancy.
Will my baby get herpes from me?
Yes. Whereas neonatal herpes happens very rarely, with herpes and pregnancy, there is a small probability (less than one percent) that your baby will contract the virus from you at the time of birth. In 90 p.c of the cases, herpes is passed from mother to baby via a plague within the birth canal. In some instances, the virus can be spread whether or not there are no herpes sores because herpes will be passed asymptomatically, meaning that it has reactivated however there aren’t any symptoms (sores) to indicate it.
I was simply recently diagnosed with herpes. Is my baby at less risk?
No. Really, pregnant ladies who were just recently diagnosed with the virus before turning into pregnant or throughout pregnancy pose slightly additional of a risk for passing the herpes on to their baby. This can be as a result of a lady who hasn’t had the disease for a extended period of your time has not had as abundant of a chance to create antibodies to the virus that may be passed on to her unborn child. However, the chance of transmitting herpes is solely slightly increased in newly diagnosed women, and women that get the disease throughout the primary and second trimesters should still be able to provide enough antibodies to their babies.
Will I still have my baby naturally?
Yes. With herpes and pregnancy, unless you are having an endemic with active lesions, most doctors and obstetricians will advocate a vaginal birth because the risks related to a Caesarean section so much outweigh the chance of your baby turning into infected with herpes. As a result of of the antibodies you have passed to your baby throughout the pregnancy, your child can be protected against the virus and there is solely a minimal chance (less than one percent) of the disease being passed on.
What if I get a deadly disease right before I deliver?
The most vital thing you can do if you notice a scourge before delivery is to tell your doctor. Where herpes and pregnancy are concerned, it’s forever best to be honest and let your OB recognize while possible that you have got active lesions. This is often the simplest factor you’ll be able to do to protect your baby as a result of your doctor can then confirm that is that the safest route to require for delivery.
How will I protect my baby from obtaining herpes?
When making an attempt to regulate herpes and pregnancy, the simplest approach to shield your baby is to educate yourself on the virus, take precautionary and preventative measures to reduce your probability of getting a virus, and discuss your condition frankly with your doctor.
