What about my baby?

Me again ~ the newbie confused about hep c. I forgot to mention that I also have a home made tattoo on my back. I cannot honestly say that the guy that did the tattoo was using a new needle. I thought he was but he was a friend so I guess I just trusted him at the time. Now that I think back, I seriously have my doubts that he was using a sterile needle. Does the hep c virus differ upon how you contracted the virus? Like whether I got it from the tattoo or the IV needle? Or possible someone else's razor or toothbrush? My other question is about my baby... I mentioned that I have a newborn. Can the hep c virus be passed on to her at childbirth? At what age can she be tested to see if she has the virus? Can I pass the virus on to her by breastfeeding? My ob/gyn recommended that I do not breastfeed whereas her pediatrician said that as long as my nipples are not cracked or bleeding it is okay to feed her. Who is right? I am a very big believer in breastfeeding is best but I do not want to endanger my daughter and pass the virus to her. Please help me to understand all of this!!

[booocooo]

Hi Again - I did get it from my mom, she was HCV positive at the time of my birth and I had a very traumatic birth (umbillical cord wrapped around, lots of blood in and on me etc...).  I guess I am one of those 5%.  

[TeeVee36]

My daughter was tested at age 12 when I was first diagnosed with Hep C ( I have had it for 25 yrs).  She doesn't have it.  I have thought recently that I should get her checked just one more time...

[zazza]

I have had hep C since 1981. During this time period I have also had 3 children, all of whom I have breastfed for quite long. They were 14, 15 and 21 months when I stopped. None of them have hep C. I understand breastfeeding to be quite safe for your baby, and it is absolutely wonderful for you both. Enjoy!

[working dog]

my x got hep c in 72...we had 7 kids all breast fed..all have been tested and none have hep..i also picked up hep i think in 83 or 84...we were still having kids...so it's likely both of us had hep while we still were having kids...i didn't know hardly anything about hep untill my x got it back in 2002..and even then i didn't know much about it untill a year ago when i found this forum...that was over a year after i found out i had it..good luck ...billy