Just a quick question

[lilmisscheeky]

I have just found out that a friend of mine is pregnant but during her blood tests the doctors discovered she has hep c , now she is worried that the doctors will make her have an abortion,
Can they do that ?
What are the chances of her having a healthy baby ?

[fretboard]

I never heard of anyone being forced by a Doctor to abort an unborn, under any circumstances.  I think if you will die during delivery you are still given a choice whether or not to have the baby.  I have a healthy 8 year old Son and both me and his Mother are HepC positive.  He has been tested twice and he's negative, thank God.  The percentage rate of Mother passing to child is very low, I heard 5% once and some feel it's less than that.  Could be she is having other issues besides just being HepC positive, I know my ex- girlfriend (my baby's Momma) as they say in some circles.  Was having a truckload of issues when she delivered and it was not good.  God Bless  

[Bill1954]

Hey, have you determined what was going on with your blood sugar? Last we talked, it sounded like that was going to kill you faster than the HCV :o).

Bill

[Lady Lauri]

God no!! (make her!)

Tell your friend I also had 3 sons, never knew I had hep for 30 yrs., and all 3 are negative.Bill explained how low the chances are.
Also, tell her about this sight.  She can learn a lot here and after the birth, if she treats, it'll help her a lot.

Best to you, her and new baby.

LL

[Bill1954]

The incidence of perinatal (vertical) transmission in HCV infected mothers is considered to be less than 5%. This can increase somewhat with HIV/ HCV co infection. Again, the chance of your friend’s mother passing her virus on to her child is quite slim.

See:

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/articles/Mother_child_2006.html


Bill

[ladywhy]

"they" meaning your friend and the doctors...

[ladywhy]

There are many women on this forum who have given birth and never knew they had this virus....thankfully their children have tested negative. I understand that the time that it can be transmitted is at the birth...so it's a good thing they are aware and can take certain precautions.
y

[eureka254]

Doctors in the USA cannot legally "MAKE" a patient abort against her will... they may certainly make recommendations... they may even refuse to deliver the baby, in which case your friend should seek out an OB who is comfortable handling her case. Good management and prenatal care is important.

Most large teaching or University Hospitals have "High Risk" Maternal-Fetal-Medicine specialists (called Perinatologists) that can probably help your friend, perhaps even minimize risk of transmission of the virus to her baby (which is very important, as so many people suffer so as a result of this virus).

I hope your friend finds the care she needs. ~eureka

[Myown]

The doctor can't make her have an abortion. Because she is hepc positive doesn't mean her baby will have it. I don't really know much about this subject but my post will bump you up to the top and hopefully someone that has the info you need will see your question.

Hope everything works out for your friend and her baby.
MO