Pregnancy

I was diagnosed with Hep C for about a year. We have done a liver biopsy. There is no cirrosis (cirrhosis). I am a candidate for going under treatment, but have chose to try and change my diet, exercise and use natural remedies. I've been in recover for over 3 yrs. now. I am recently married, a year now and my husband and I would very much like to have a baby. What do you think. Can a person with Hep C have more children? Is it that dangerous to the mother who has Hep C. Any help would be appreciated.

[kayh3]

I just found out that I tested positive for hep.c and I am 8 months pregnant.I've had a wonderful pregnancy,I feel great.

[pjhep80]

there is no danger in getting pregnant or having babies to either mother or baby if you have hep-c and no other problems... but there is a slight chance you could pass it on to the baby

have as many babies as you can afford!

lol

[hippygem]

Pregnancy

Hepatitis C does not reduce the likelihood of a woman becoming pregnant.
The risk of hepatitis C transmission from mother to child is low, about 6%. Hepatitis C is more likely to be transmitted during birth than while the baby is inside the mother.

Women with low levels of the virus in their blood are unlikely to transmit hepatitis C to their baby. Women with high levels of the virus, those with serious liver damage or those in the acute phase of infection, have a higher risk of transmitting hepatitis C to their baby.

A baby born to a mother with hepatitis C will inherit the mother’s antibodies and test antibody positive until the child is about 15–18 months of age. In most cases, the child’s hepatitis C antibodies naturally disappear after 18 months. Therefore, testing a baby for hepatitis C is not recommended until the baby is older than 2 years. In saying this though, infection can be detected by PCR testing as early as 2–3 weeks. So, if parents are concerned they can ask for this to be done after 4–6 weeks, with follow-up testing if negative. For more information on antibody and PCR testing visit the Know your tests page.

Pregnancy is also not considered to cause deterioration of liver disease in women who have hepatitis C.

Women with hepatitis C on treatment (pegylated interferon and ribavirin) are required to use two forms of contraception (one for each partner) to ensure they do not become pregnant during their treatment, and for six months following the end of treatment. This is because pegylated interferon and especially ribavirin can cause birth defects.

[hippygem]

Breastfeeding

There are no confirmed reports of hepatitis C transmission from mother-to-baby by breast milk. Current scientific opinion remains that there is no significant evidence of HCV transmission through breast-feeding. Scientists have found traces of the virus in breast milk and colostrum (the breast fluid produced by the mother in the first few days of breastfeeding) but not enough to transmit hepatitis C. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists currently recommends that breastfeeding should not be discouraged, as no cases of hepatitis C transmission have been documented by this route.

Damage to the breast such as cracked nipples could pose a possible risk to the baby if blood-to-blood contact occurs through small tears or scratches in or around the baby’s mouth. It is recommended that women with hepatitis C who are breastfeeding should express and discard their breast milk while their nipples are cracked. Treat cracked nipples so they do not bleed and seek help from a breastfeeding counsellor or nurse lactation consultant to discuss ways of preventing cracked nipples.

Breast milk supplies a balanced food supply for the baby, as well as protecting the baby from many illnesses especially in the first weeks, however, the final decision whether to breastfeed is entirely up to the mother.


References

1Gifford, S. M., O’Brien, M. L., Bammer, G., Banwell, C. & Stoove, M. (2003). Australian women’s experiences of living with hepatitis C virus: Results from a cross-sectional survey. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 18, 841–850.

www.hepcaustralia.com.au

[hippygem]

very old thread