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Pregnancy and Herpes
My boyfriend and I were recently diagnosed with Herpes. We have yet to determine what type we have. Lately we have been talking about getting pregnant. Secretly, I'm scared to death that I may pass this on to my baby or that him and I won't be able to hug and kiss our bundle of joy due to the fact that we may be shedding the virus and give it to our baby. Can anyone offer any advice about this subject. It would be greatly appreciated.
I encourage you both to read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com. There is also a terrific patient counseling video on the site too that is good to watch. It will answer most of your questions.
since you've had herpes since before you get pregnant the only risk is during delivery. It's become standard treatment for expectant mom's with genital herpes to take daily suppressive therapy in the pregnancy doses for the last month of pregnancy to help reduce your chances of having an active lesion present at the time of delivery so that you can delivery vaginally. No active lesion present and the risk of transmitting to the baby is less than 1%. So yes it could happen but it's not likely to happen. Should you have an active lesion at the time of delivery or even the week you are due a c section will probably be performed to help protect the baby even more. Your body also passes on protective antibodies to help protect your baby during delivery around 28 weeks gestation. Your baby is well protected from your herpes :)
grace
since you've had herpes since before you get pregnant the only risk is during delivery. It's become standard treatment for expectant mom's with genital herpes to take daily suppressive therapy in the pregnancy doses for the last month of pregnancy to help reduce your chances of having an active lesion present at the time of delivery so that you can delivery vaginally. No active lesion present and the risk of transmitting to the baby is less than 1%. So yes it could happen but it's not likely to happen. Should you have an active lesion at the time of delivery or even the week you are due a c section will probably be performed to help protect the baby even more. Your body also passes on protective antibodies to help protect your baby during delivery around 28 weeks gestation. Your baby is well protected from your herpes :)
grace
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
