Awkward question please help

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Hi ladies,

Have been tortured with this questions since pregnant with DD1: My husband and I both have genital herpes (I got it off him, he got it off an ex, embarassing enough in itself), and I have heard that if midwives/doctors know this then they won't allow a vaginal delivery because of risk to the baby?

I tend to have a few "breakouts", each last a few days per year, but other than that no issues. Mainly happen when low immunity from being ill with something else, or v overtired.

However, I have regular swab tests (including two in the last year) and my gyno has always given me the all clear. So I have never mentioned the problem to her because I didn't want to be forced into having a C section :S I know how selfish that sounds, but I had a normal birth with DD1 and have had no complications from it.

Can anyone explain what the actual risks are? Will I really be forced to have a section? Am pregnant with number 2 and its keeping me awake at night... thanks xx

Only a risk if you have a flare up when you give birth, they can check you when you go into labour, but to be honest you'd probably know yourself if you have a flare up. Natural births are allowed as long as you are checked at that point and given the all clear, if they examined you in labour and found a sore they would refer you for emergency c section. A newborn contracting herpes is quite dangerous, which is why they won't allow a vaginal delivery if a flare up is present.

Only a risk if you have a flare up when you give birth, they can check you when you go into labour, but to be honest you'd probably know yourself if you have a flare up. Natural births are allowed as long as you are checked at that point and given the all clear, if they examined you in labour and found a sore they would refer you for emergency c section. A newborn contracting herpes is quite dangerous, which is why they won't allow a vaginal delivery if a flare up is present.

You really should talk to your midwife, they will have heard it all, no one will judge you.

You can have a vaginal delivery as long as you don't have an outbreak while you're in labour. They can also put you on preventative medication before you deliver. If you do have an outbreak though, you will need a CS.

Neonatal herpes infection can be fatal.

You must tell your midwife. As previous posters have said, you won't need a section unless you have a breakout when you go into labour, but it's very important not to hide something like that.

You must mention this to your midwife. I am not trying to berate you at all because I know having a c-section isn't what many women want, but the herpes virus could kill your baby. As you get closer to the birth you are also more likely to be stressed so an outbreak is more likely. No-one can force you to have a c-section. You do, however, need to be honest and get yourself the best care.

This is why it has been keeping me awake and worried... I know I should say but am scared they'll just push me down that route once I've been labelled as having this risk...

Does anyone know why I could have got all clear swab results?!

Thanks for the advice ladies

The swab may have been for hpv which is different to genital warts. I have a good friend who is a sexual health doctor who also has genital warts. She had some frozen off during her pregnancy and gave birth vaginally.

You won't be forced down that route, I wasn't, I was checked on the day and had a natural delivery. I also reminded them to check when I got to the hospital just in case they hadn't seen it in the notes.

You won't be forced down that route, I wasn't, I was checked on the day and had a natural delivery. I also reminded them to check when I got to the hospital just in case they hadn't seen it in the notes.

OP - you know you need to mention this to your midwife. No midwife wants to force a cesarean unless it really is necessary so I wouldn't worry about that, but they will ensure that you don't put your baby at risk if you do have symptoms at the time of delivery.

I have declared my STD (in my case genital warts) to my midwife and obstetric consultant. The medical professionals are there to protect our health as mothers to be and the health of the babies so it really is best if they have all the info.

John - genital warts do not pose the same level of risk to the baby as herpes. With warts only a fairly severe primary flare up would necessitate a cesarean (I know this because I am pregnant and have genital warts).

With herpes, any risk of transmission has to be avoided, so OP would need to be clear on the day of delivery to have a vaginal birth without risking serious health complications for the baby.

You have to tell your midwife. They will only make you have a section if you have an active infection at the time. It's utterly crazy not to tell them and in the grand scheme of things who cares how the baby arrives as long as she's safe and well.

If she contracted herpes you would never forgive yourself, and you would wonder what the hell you were thinking worrying about how she arrived.

You need to tell your midwife, as it would be so dangerous for the baby if it caught herpes during delivery. Prioritising a wish for a natural delivery over that is really you not thinking straight.

Hopefully you will be checked and will be fine for a natural birth. However, if you do have to have a CS, I want to reassure you that they are really not the awful things that they are often portrayed as. I had a CS with my DD last year and it was a wonderful experience. Recovery was fine, and I was out and about with DD within a few days. It is really not the end of the world if you need to have one. Losing your child, because you chose to keep quiet, would be though.

I had an outbreak on my due date! They told me that actually since it wasn't my first outbreak, the risk was very low and they would still advise a vaginal birth regardless (I went 2 weeks over in the end so it was gone). You can though use aciclovir preventative dose in the last few weeks to prevent an outbreak. I'd do that. I actually got mine as a private prescription through the pharmacist but I'm not sure how that might differ outside of uk. But if you take it then you will not be worried.

You really have to tell the midwife OP. You are not thinking straight if you think you can keep this quiet. I don't know why you are so anti c section but it's nothing to be worried about, I had one last year and it was a great experience. I was discharged in 24 hours and was up and about after that. No problems with bonding or breastfeeding at all.