Preggo with Herpes

[Chevi93]

Just because I have herpes does it mean my baby will get it? Can I take my meds regularly if I have an outbreak. Before I found out I was pregnant I was taking a 500mg of valtrex and then 1000 for outbreaks and I've only had one outbreak in the since I found out 3 yrs ago. Should I continue taking it or no?

[Chevi93]

Thanks for the advice and the congrats. I appreciate it much

[gracefromHHP]

will your baby contract your herpes? the risk of such is very low. if you don't have an obvious recurrences near the time of delivery, the risk of it occurring is less than 1%.  should you have a recurrence near the time of delivery, a c section is recommended.  

can you stay on daily suppressive therapy during pregnancy? most obgyn's will allow it. there are no known risks from being on herpes antivirals during pregnancy and current ACOG guidelines are to leave it up to the doctor and the mother.   you also should discuss with your provider increasing suppressive therapy to the pregnancy doses for the last month of pregnancy. for valtrex that would be 500mg twice a day.  It helps to reduce the risk of having an obvious lesion so that you can deliver vaginally.  

congrats on your pregnancy :)

[catinbarefeet]

Yes, you can and should take your medication when you're having an outbreak, particularly closer to your due date. The antivirals have a history of being safe to take.

Ob/gyns monitor pregnant women who have HSV to make sure they're not having an outbreak during the birth. In fact, they usually put them on the antivirals starting a few weeks before the baby is due.

Another important bit of info: if you've had the virus longer than 4 months, you will have developed antibodies that you will have passed to your baby in the womb. These will help protect him/her during birth, and even some time afterward.

Congratulations on your blessed event!