Herpes and Pregnancy - In Vitro Fertilization

Grace,

My wife and I both have genital HSV 2.  We've been unable to get pregnant and are thinking of trying in vitro fertilization.  I've been doing a bit of research and have noticed that most places will cease any fertilization attempts if either partner has an outbreak.  My question is why is this the case?  Obviously, my first concern is having the baby be infected with the virus.  Is it possible for the virus to be in the sperm/egg and thus when the baby is "conceived" it is infected with herpes?

[gracefromHHP]

You'd have to discuss this further with the reproductive endocrinologist you pick for follow up.  

I can certainly see not attempting IVF during an active ob because of wanting the mother to be in the best health possible but I'm not aware of any risks to the fetus. Not really something they talk about at the conferences I go to to have better answers to give you.  

There are documented cases of hsv2 transmission to the uninfected mother through ivf but they are few and far between.  

grace