CMV and trying to conceive

[kirinm]

Sorry posting here for traffic. I know from the AMA threads there are some obstetricians on this site and I'm shamelessly looking for some advice.

I am trying to conceive - have been for a while now. I was recently diagnosed with CMV - I was actually hospitalised in the end as I was quite unwell. I wasn't told much about CMV when I was in hospital and it was only when speaking to a doctor friend, I realised how serious it can be during pregnancy.

My understanding is that mine was a reactivation rather than primary infection - but I have no follow up with the hospital so cannot be sure. My initial blood tests showed antibodies but I think that can be the case even with an active primary infection?

I'm trying to find out if it is safe for me to try and conceive? My age is very much against me and being told I have to wait will probably mean I won't be able to try again. But I have no idea who I should be speaking to. I'd hazard a guess at obstetrician - although I have no idea how to get a referral to one.

Any info anyone has would be much appreciated.

I should add, I've contacted CMV Active and spoken to my GP who is going to contact a virologist. But because I'm not sure if it is a primary infection or reactivation infection - and a virologist won't know unless they have my hospital records - I don't know whether a virologist is the right specialist or not.

Bumping

Any doctors about this evening?

no doctor worth their salt will give medical advice to a stranger on the internet

Yes I'm sure a doctor saying 'yes an obstetrician is who you need' or 'a virologist is best placed to help' will cause someone some really anxiety.

I just want some information because I have no idea how to speak to anyone who can help.

Lots of info here www.nhs.uk/conditions/cytomegalovirus-cmv/
There is a pdf which answers questions about CMV and pregnancy.

My understanding has always been that it is a problem if you develop the primary infection during the pregnancy. If you have it prior to pregnancy, then your IgG antibodies to it should cross the placenta and protect your baby. Why don't you ask your GP? If they have any doubt about the answer then they can drop a line to an obstetrician, to clarify, without you necessarily even needing to be referred.

@nocoolnamesleft thanks. I have asked my GP and he is going to speak to a virologist but I don't know whether a virologist is the right person to talk to.

@underneaththeash thanks. I've actually tried to make contact with Covid Action. It all relates to primary infection which is not what I had or at least the hospital didn't think so.

@nocoolnamesleft

My understanding has always been that it is a problem if you develop the primary infection during the pregnancy. If you have it prior to pregnancy, then your IgG antibodies to it should cross the placenta and protect your baby. Why don't you ask your GP? If they have any doubt about the answer then they can drop a line to an obstetrician, to clarify, without you necessarily even needing to be referred.

I will ask my GP to speak with an obstetrician as well if the virologist isn't able to help though - thanks.

I'd have thought either an obstetrician or a virologist would be able to answer the question. I just thought the virologists might be a tad sidetracked at present, so a faster response from obstetrics....

@nocoolnamesleft yeah hopefully. I feel like the lack of direct access is a problem - they won't see my records and I'm reliant on a GP I don't know and who has never met me to pass on the correct info. He didn't even know what my follow up blood tests were for yesterday and he had a letter from the hospital about those.

I should imagine virologists are fairly busy right now!