Pregnant with herpes

[Curious04]

hi, I just recently took two pregnancy tests which both have came back positive. I am hoping to be able to get into the doctor next week which I do have my concerns. Not only because I have herpes but after I finally got a referal to a real gyno ( the clinic i was going to was horrible )  he left and the doctor they transfered me to decided to argue with me that I should be on birth control, so I didn't have any 'accidents' is what he said i wasn't in a relationship, wasn't having sex and on top of that I have never had any luck with birth control, I think i tried almost a dozen different types to find one that some what worked for me and still had break through bleeding and then when I did get off of it my period was out of wack for alittle over 6months. He told me it was my weight ( i am very small ) to contradict that I have talked to my family doctor about my weight and they won't do anything for me because I am healthy and eat right and the nurse told me it was probably because I stoped bc. His attitude towards me was rather condensending, a doctor is supose to work with you and listen and consider what you have to say. I live in a small area and there aren't very many choices to choose from. That was last spring.

I know the best thing about having any std is information, i have had it for over 5 yrs now and was on repression valtrex ( i think is what its considered ) when I was first diagnosed and haven't have any serious outbreaks in over 3years. Now that i'm certain i'm pregnant I know there is a possibility and it is safer for the baby to be delivered c-section. I am looking for any information on how gyno's handle these sitautions, good questions to ask the docotor and what to expect overall. I want to know any options and everything that I can incase this docotors has the same attitude he did as before.

[gracefromHHP]

suppressive therapy is when you take herpes antivirals every single day to ward off recurrences.

episodic therapy is when you just take medication everytime you had an ob.

Hang in there and keep coming back as you need to :)

grace

[Curious04]

Thank you! This has not been planned at all, but over the last month my boyfriend has been thinking it more then I have so much to the point he's the main reason I went and got a test, talking like he was certain that I was, well I am.  I have yet to tell him and the more I think about it the more things I am thinking of that I should I have an idea about incase he may ask. I am still not sure how is reaction is going to be, he seemed alright with it talking as if i am, but won't hesitate to say he doesn't want anymore kids ( not an option anymore. )

I was only on repression therapy for my first two years, and only took it for my severe breakouts. It was I think, so many pills a day for so many days ( sorry I can't remeber. ) I never knew about that 1% everything I read before I was under the impression the safest prevention method for the baby was just to have a c-section so that is great to know!! The whole thing is just a pain in the butt in general, but with everything it just takes time. Thanks for the link.

[gracefromHHP]

It's currently recommended that you stop suppressive therapy with valtrex now that you know you are pregnant. You can still treat each ob as it occurs though. The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com has a whole section on herpes and pregnancy for more reading.  At the end of your pregnancy you can restart suppressive therapy in the pregnancy doses - for valtrex it's 500mg 2x/day.  It will reduce the odds of having an active lesion at the time of delivery so that you can deliver vaginally.

since you have had genital herpes prior to becoming pregnant, if you don't have any obvious lesions at the time of labor, the risk of transmitting the virus to the baby during delivery is less than 1%. No reason for a planned c section with odds that much in your favor :)

I think congratulations on your pregnancy ( not too sure if this was planned or not by your post ) and hang in there - herpes is literally just a pain in the butt for the most part during pregnancy :)  If you aren't taking at least a regular multivitamin, start taking one.  It's up to you if you feel if you are up to the prenatal ones or not but you need folic acid during early pregnancy as well as iron.  Good luck with your obgyn appointment and keep coming back as often as you need to for support and any questions :)

grace