Herpes in pregnancy

[Courtney10891]

Hi I'm new to this site and desperate for some advice. I am currently 35 weeks pregnant. I found out 4 years ago that I have genital herpes. I have learnt over time how to deal with it and even though I had a handful of outbreaks at the beginning of the pregnancy I haven't had any for the last 9 weeks. I did inform my midwife at the beginning and to be honest she really didn't seem bothered like it wasn't anything big at all. Now I know it's getting closer and closer to the delivery I am getting so petrified. I am going to start taking acyclovir from next week to prevent any possible outbreaks but I'm still so scared. What if the baby catches it? I'm really thinking the worst and need some reassurance. Has anybody gone through this or known anybody that has gone through this? Thank you so much x

I had herpes when I gave birth to my daughter 24 years ago. Medical staff knew about it but didn't seem too concerned, but things may have changed since then. In the end she was an emergency section. Try not to worry (easier said than done, I know)

Thanks for you reply, did you have to have a csection because of the herpes? Yeah my midwife really didn't bothered and said because I've had it for so long the risk of passing it on is so small, it's still really scary though! X

No, nothing to do with the herpes, she was in distress, cord round her neck and pooing! You'll both be fine!

Oh ok! I know it's such a small risk just so scared probably because it's my first pregnancy x

I was told if you have an outbreak before you give birth they will give you a c section as there is a link to herpes being passed to baby and meningitis.
You should ask to see the consultant and discuss it with him.

Yeah, I have seen the story in the newspapers yesterday about the baby that died when she caught herpes from someone with a colesore kissing her. If I have a outbreak at time of labour then I will have a csection but fingers crossed I can have a natural birth x

Hope the birth goes well! Try not to let the worry spoil your enjoyment of the final stages of your pregnancy x

Thank you so much x

Your management plan of acyclovir from 36 weeks is a sensible one. This is usually sufficient to prevent an outbreak and allow a normal delivery. It's quite a common problem and the main risk lies with those who don't know they've got it or don't tell their maternity service.

Hi OP, I've had herpes for 14 years, and have had two vaginal births. It's only a concern if you have your first outbreak during pregnancy. If you've had it awhile the antibodies are passed to your baby in utero. I just took daily acyclovir in the last 4 weeks and everything was fine! Please don't worry.

Thank you mayhew. I really hope the acyclovir will keep the outbreaks at bay. I know it's quite a common problem and that midwifes are trained to deal with situations like this x

As you had existing genital herpes before having your baby, the chances of passing it on to your child at all are very low, this is because you already have the antibodies that right the virus, and these will be passed to the baby in utero during the last few months of pregnancy - this protects baby before and for months after birth.

Outbreaks of herpes during the pregnancy also shouldn't be an issue, but the NHS say you could take medication from around 36 weeks to lessen severity of symptoms.

Open sores at time of birth gives a 3/100 chance of passing to baby.

It seems to only be a risk if you have your first ever outbreak of heroes during your 3rd trimester, since your body will not have had the time to make the antibodies to fight of the virus, therefore leaving your baby unprotected too. If this happens, and you have birth vaginally, then the chances are 4/10. Women in this situation would usually have a c-section.

You will be absolutely fine, it seems you have nothing to worry about. Please, don't stress. I have herpes and my pregnancy was risk-free, midwives also weren't concerned.

fight and herpes

In short

• Women who contracted herpes and had 1st outbreak prior to pregnancy, may have outbreaks during pregnancy, and has sores at the time of birth, who has a vaginal delivery: 3/100 chance. You don't need a C-Section.

• Women who have their first outbreak during 1st or 2nd trimester: same odds.

• Women who have first outbreak in 3rd trimester and give birth vaginally: 4/10. Need a c-section, although it's their choice.

Thank you so much ladies, I really needed some reassurance. You have made me feel so much better xx

They had to check me for sores when I got onto the birthing unit, but I already knew I didn't have an outbreak. Consultant had said to me that if sores were seen on the day I would have had to have an emcs, thankfully all was ok and I didn't have to.

I had to have an injection of something or other about 4 hours before baby shoved himself out my foof. If you have an actual outbreak I think they said I may get a c section. But since I didn't I was good to push.
If it makes a difference I'd only ever had one outbreak.
Just talk it over with your midwife. They stuck a sticker in my charts so the midwifes at the hospital knew.

Also had the tablets from about 36 weeks.

I gave birth last year with genital herpes I had an outbreak at 36 weeks and still had a normal natural birth. Baby didn't catch anything.

Make sure that everyone knows before and after so that they can keep an extra eye on baby but they should have your antibodies so the chance of transmission is very very low.

Make sure you get enough acyclovir to last you until several weeks after the birth, as my dr. Pointed out you don't need anything else going on down there while your recovering!

I work in healthcare and the only outbreaks that would be worried about during birth are primary infections (first time outbreak), not secondary. Even if you had an outbreak they wouldn't perform a section - they'd just put babu on a small dose of acyclovir after delivery. But you're having it from 36 weeks anyway so nothing to worry about.

God, millions of women must have herpes and give birth.

Thank you so much everybody your comments mean a lot. One more thing to ask.... I haven't told anybody about the herpes. I'm going to have my mum in the room and obviously other family members will come and visit after. At my first midwife appointment I told the midwife I didn't want it wrote in my notes so she said that she would put it in my file on the computer instead with a note in files to refer to the computer. I'm so scared a nurse will come in to check me and blurt it out in front of everybody. I really don't want anybody to know my situation.

A nurse or midwife will never do that, but if you're really worried just remind them before family come. It does sound like you're overthinking it though - you do know herpes is one of the most common STI's and 1 in 5 people have it? Would you be as self conscious about it if it was a coldsore? Its really nothing to be ashamed about.

OP I feel sorry that you are living with shame over something that is neither shameful or uncommon.

I don't give it any more thought or worry than telling my midwife I had a tear last labour.

Hi was wondering... what dose of acyclovir did you take in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy? Twice a day or 3 times a day? X