Contracted genital herpes in first trimester of pregnancy?

[brittneyf87]

I just found out im pregnant and i am very early in the first trimester and just found out that the guy who got me pregnant also has genital herpes. I have never had it before, so I most likely have it too  since we did not use a condom (stupid!!!) and I noticed some tiny bumps down there that may or not be from that, im not sure!! I read on the baby center website and it says this about herpes and pregnancy  

"In rare cases, a pregnant woman may transmit the infection to her baby through the placenta if she gets herpes for the first time in her first trimester."

I am so worried because it is saying that it can cause serious birth defects to the fetus if you get it in the first trimester!! What should I do? What can the doctors do, or is it too late?  plese help if you know anything about herpes

[Mistakeguy789]

There are some false positives with the tests.  However, we can cross that bridge and help you identify if it is believed to be a false positive.  But before we get there we need the results of your testing.  

But this is true of every test there are false positives and false negatives.  If you are in a range of false positive or your partner we will tell you about confirmatory testing.  Really at this point getting tested is the best course of action :-)  

[brittneyf87]

are the tests fairly accurate, or can False positives occur? through the blood test

[gracefromHHP]

then it's been long enough for you both to be tested to see who has what at this point.  if your partner tests hsv2+ and you don't, take all precautions and retest at the start of your 3rd trimester.

you should resume using condoms at this point too to err on the side of caution until you both have better answers.

[brittneyf87]

We've been sexually active about 4 months but were using protection till about a month ago

[gracefromHHP]

how long have you two been together?

[brittneyf87]

and would the results be conclusive if it has only been a few weeks since i got it (or may have gotten it  , we dont know yet)

[gracefromHHP]

it's less than 5% of babies contract the virus in utero. It's a small risk but certainly a valid one.  

yes, a type specific herpes igg blood test because you have  a partner who is currently undergoing a work up for suspected herpes.

[brittneyf87]

Oh , i didn't know they could do those tests at the obgyn ! I feel better now. Another question (srorry i am asking so many) : Doesn't it take awhile for the antibodies to show up in the blood test after you are infected? In the meantime could the baby be harmed since the website says herpes can cross the placenta in the first trimester and cause birth defects?   what specific test do i ask for ? just say I want a type specific herpes test ?

[gracefromHHP]

he can seek out a type specific herpes igg blood test to see what his status is.

you can get one too when you have your 1st obgyn appointment.

the igg is just a part of the immune response we measure to detect infection with herpes.

[brittneyf87]

thank you so much for answering. He has never been tested or treated for herpes i dont think.. How do they test for genital herpes? How long after you've been infected would it take to show up on a blood test? what does igg stand for?

thank you

[gracefromHHP]

Does your partner have hsv1 or hsv2 genitally?  do they treat their herpes?

No, you don't necessarily have it just because you've had unprotected sex with this partner however from this point forward, you and your partner need to assume you are negative until proven otherwise and take proper precautions.  

tiny bumps probably are not due to herpes. At this point, make your first obgyn appointment. Be sure to mention that your partner has genital herpes and to make sure that they get a type specific herpes igg blood test on you to see what your status is.  Once you provide some more info about your partner for me, I can provide more advice too :)

Hang in there, this is not horrible news - this is all very manageable :)

grace