Type 1 genital herpes in late pregnancy

[michelle_86]

Hi there,

I have just been told i have type 1 genital herpes, i am currently 35 weeks pregnant, as far as I know i have never had any outbreaks, so this is my initial outbreak, from what i have read, it is dangerous for the baby to have an initial outbreak this late in pregnancy, but is that only to birth the baby? or while it is in the womb?? I understand that if I have it present when I go into labour that I can not have a vaginal birth, but i dont understand if bub is at risk while in the womb at this late stage.

My doctor has told me that type 1 is very unlikely to reoccur, is this the case?? I am finding it very hard to find anything on type 1!!!!

Any information would be greatly appreciated!

Thankyou

[gracefromHHP]

If this is your first ob, it's recommended that you have a c section since it's occuring so late into your pregnancy.  You haven't had time to build up protective antibodies to the virus and you can't pass them onto your baby at this point in a timely enough manner. Definitely something to call your obgyn and discuss ( or you should be at weekly appointments at this point so talk about it this week when you are there ).  

grace

[michelle_86]

Thanks for your replies!

I am currently on a high dose of anti viral medication, and then a smaller dose up until I have bub, to try and suppress it so I can give birth vaginally.

Grace - I just went to my GP, who took a swab of the area, and that has come back + hsv1, as far as I know, this is my first outbreak, can they do a blood test to determine if it is my first outbreak or not???

[gracefromHHP]

So you've never had a herpes ob and just had a blood test done for herpes or you are now having a herpes ob and it was cultured + for hsv1?

grace

[maui1008]

Hello there, I understand how you are feeling. I am 28 weeks pregnant and just found out that I have type 2. I was completely devastated as I never had any symptoms before and neither has my husband.  From the research that i have done over the past couple of days.  Type 1 usually only has one outbreak and it's common to not have another one.  However, what I've also read is that it depends on whether or not you actually had Type1 before but no break outs i.e., asymptomatic which in that case you have had the chance of building up antibodies that would have passed to the baby in utero.  If you just contracted type 1 and it's a primary break out, i think that is what is more dangerous, but I too am looking for new information on exactly what the chances are on passing to the baby prior to birth.  For myself I am already scheduled for a c-section so vaginal birth is not an option.  i would talk to your dr. again to fully understand what risks, if any, there are. Has your dr. put you on any medication?