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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Herpes and pregnant

65 replies

Natalie2900 · 22/09/2017 22:29

Hi there.
I'm after some advice.
Embarrassingly I have herpes. Have had it before I was pregnant. Since I have been pregnant I have had around 6 outbreaks and I have had 3 since I hit 30 weeks!! I am
Now 36 + 2 and having her another outbreak.
My midwife spoke to a consultant who said they would not see me nor give me any anti virals because I didn't contract it during pregnancy!
Everything I read online tells me I should be taking something to suppress any more outbreaks.
Can I plead with midwife/consultant to just let me have a c section. How likely am I to get a planned c section is I beg them!? I feel that because I've had so many outbreaks the likely hood of another one close to due date is likely! It's worrying me so much. All I want it my baby born and healthy and no risks!!
Does anybody have any experience in c sections and herpes or pregnancy and herpes? I can't sleep at night at the thought of giving birth and my baby catching this awful virus from me!
Also, shedding? Will I still be shedding the virus between now and due date?

OP posts:

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 24/09/2017 19:11

Yes! What I will do is read what you said to my midwife and just say you are my friend and wrote
That for me to read to them.
What I don't want is to go into labour and then have to go for an emergency c section. And try and explain this to my mother in law also.
If it was scheduled I could just say it's for other reason and then she won't be there as partners only.
I will go to midwife tomorrow and say I want
One and not leave until I have the outcome I want. I want to go to bed already now just so I can phone up straight away.

OP posts:

brownstar · 25/09/2017 06:47

Good luck for today

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 09:56

So midwife wasn't interested as she wasnt my midwife and I'd have to wait another week to speak to my midwife! Considering my 37 weeks I don't have a week!
Phoned my gp, had a heated discussion with a doctor who told me the risk of a c section are greater than baby catching neonatal herpes! I told her I'm taking anti virals but I want a c section, she said she would discuss with a obstetrician ( I think that's what she said) but made it quite clear that I wouldn't get a c section.
Still don't feel like I'm being listened to she kept going on about the anti virals and I should take them, I told her I AM taking them! But I'm still not happy with the fact I'm 37 weeks and I'm having an outbreak and I've had 4 outbreaks since I was 31 weeks. She read my notes and my midwife put down I haven't had an outbreak my entire
Pregnancy! No wonder the consultant said no to worry! I told her I've had atleast 7!!!! Feeling like pulling my hair out. Shall I keep pushing for a scheduled c section??? Doctors are putting my off saying the risks of a c section are huge!

OP posts:

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 09:57

P.s gp kept saying the changes are 0.1% the baby would catch it, I told her that I don't care what the percentage is, if there's one there I'm not willing to risk it.

OP posts:

AdalindSchade · 25/09/2017 12:11

I think you should listen to the doctors and midwives tbh
You are making yourself panic when you don't need to. Take the antivirals daily from now until the birth and the baby will be fine.

brownstar · 25/09/2017 21:46

I’m sorry about today, have they said if they can see an outbreak they will do a section?
My original doctors were right as the infection never did get passed on so the doctors you are talking to are probably right, and it is such a small chance I guess my only worry for you is the hospital pedestrians may feel differently as they did in my case once I’d had my dc. I chose a virginal birth as that had always been my plan and I’d been reassured but I didn’t realise that you couldn’t choose to have a section if you requested one, that’s quite wrong I think , I’m sorry you are having this stress

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 21:57

I have good news ( hopefully ) after speaking to
Another midwife and phoned antenatal and within 45 minutes she had booked me to see a consultant tomorrow morning! She completely
Agreed and understand why I want a c section considering my numerous outbreaks and the fact I'm having one now.
She said to me that they will try
Persuade me not to have the c section but if I stick to my guns they will book one in. She sort of said it in a way as "I didn't tell you this" but if you want one they cannot refuse it, and I have a valid reason also! So fingers crossed tomorrow I will get one booked.
I basically stopped asking if
I could have one and said I have decided I want one as I wasn't willing to take the risk as I've had 4 outbreaks in my last trimester ( 2 in the last two weeks.)

OP posts:

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 21:57

Sorry I mean I phoned another midwife and she phoned antenatal

OP posts:

Montgomerystubercles · 25/09/2017 22:12

Not massively useful to you now as there is (surprise!) conflicting advice about using it during pregnancy, but for future I would suggest trying olive leaf extract. I was having at least an outbreak a month, I've had two in the 2.5 years since I started taking olive leaf tablets, and they were both while I was pregnant and not taking it.

brownstar · 25/09/2017 22:13

I’m glad to hear they can’t refuse if you choose to have one, it should be your choice ( I’ve just been reading up on it as I couldn’t get over you’d been refused) I was going to send you a guardian link where they basically said the same they will talk through options and risks but ultimately it’s the woman’s choice.
I really haven’t meant to worry you I just know how it feels being worried about it, praying it will clear up and then trusting what I was told to have the shock after of my dc needing to also have acyclovir as well and the guilt I felt so although I get why other people say not to worry, I remember what it was like and if I could go back in time I’d ask for a caesarean,it’s really not an easy option but I’d still choose it, please let me know how you get on I’m keeping my fingers crossed you get to choose what’s right for you 🤞

mindutopia · 25/09/2017 22:19

Are you in the U.K.? A section is your right, regardless of reason and they have to support you. The same is true for women who opt for home birth even against medical advice. Birthrights (which is exactly as it sounds an organisation that supports women's birthing rights) just did a lot of campaigning around the right to elective sections in the UK. Have a look at their website.

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 22:30

Yes! It's terrifying having a c section and the risks scare me. Also the shame of herpes and if my baby had to stay in and have numerous tests and having to tell me dad it's because I have herpes.
Not just my dad but everybody family friends etc. I don't even want it brought up it is just embarrassing. I don't want to look like I'm being selfish having a c section or wasting NHS time. I would love a natural birth but I cannot take that risk. The fact you can have an outbreak without symptoms terrifies me. It just seems c section is the safest options. I will mention both your points on the fact it is my right to request one' hopefully they allow it to happen before 40 weeks incase my water breaks before and it turns into an emergency one!

OP posts:

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 25/09/2017 22:31

Oh sorry yes I am uk xxx

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AdalindSchade · 25/09/2017 22:40

Natalie thousands and thousands of women have herpes and give birth naturally with no ill effects for the baby. There would be no need for the baby to stay in hospital or have tests.
You really need to listen to the consultant tomorrow. And make sure you have enough aciclovir to take it continuously until after the birth (however it happens).
Please don't insist on a c section if the consultant doesn't think it is necessary.

brownstar · 25/09/2017 22:53

Adaline Except if the infection is active or has been active very close to the birth as in my case there was a need for my dc to have tests ( lumbar puncture ) and the 5 days of acyclovir through a cannula, even though I didn’t have a visible infection at the time of labour and I ended up with an emergency section (so you’d think an even smaller risk) the hospital still thought it was necessary to take those precautions.

Havingahorridtime · 26/09/2017 07:33

brownstar were the medics aware that you had herpes before getting pregnant? Their response is overkill if they were aware of that. Herpes is quite common and they definitely don't respond that way to every woman who has herpes and gives birth. The risk of passing it on is very low even if you have a give lesions at the time of Delivery as long as you had herpes before getting pregnant. It is only around 1% risk if you have a give lesions and much much lower if you have no lesions.

Havingahorridtime · 26/09/2017 07:34

I have no idea why it keeps changing the word active to a give

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 26/09/2017 07:34

The reason I want the c section is because I have had so many outbreaks towards the end so think the risk of giving birth natural is not worth it. Of course I will listen to the consultant today. But with only 3 weeks left a current outbreak that isn't going anywhere just yet ( and yes I'm taking anti virals ). I feel c section is safetest for my baby over all.

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Havingahorridtime · 26/09/2017 07:51

Whatever you decide I think you should tell Your mil you don't want her at the birth as her knowing about the herpes sounds like it is stressing you.
I had loads of outbreaks in every one of my pregnancies, mainly in the third trimester and I worried a lot but I took the antivirals towards the end and listened to the advice of medics. All babies born very healthy. You do have the right to insist on a section though.

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 26/09/2017 08:15

I have an under active thyroid also.
Which plays havoc with my immune system as it's Been up and down my whole pregnancy . I think she makes me have a lot more outbreaks than the anti virals. And yes with the c section my
Mil will not be able to be in there as just my husband will be. Although if I did do a natural birth the first thing I would say is I Have an outbreak before my mil even got there and they said they'd instantly do a c section.

OP posts:

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 26/09/2017 08:17

Also the last thing I want is what brownstar dc had to go through with all the tests etc. As brownstar said, it could of been prevented, and if I can prevent that I 100% will do. If that means c section that is just the way it is.

OP posts:

Havingahorridtime · 26/09/2017 08:42

Why don't you just tell your mil you don't want her at the birth regardless? Is there a reason she needs to be there? It sounds like her being there is just an additional source of stress. All this stress will increase the likelihood of outbreaks.

Original poster

Natalie2900 · 26/09/2017 08:57

Because I invited her 🙈 Long before I realised herpes and labour were an issue!
She would be gutted if I dis invited her! It's ok. I'm more focused on knowing how I'm going to give birth then I will focus on the mil thing.

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sunshinestorm · 26/09/2017 12:10

Not read this whole thread but generally..

Most mothers who pass herpes to their babies via birth contracted the virus during pregnancy, particularly in the 3rd trimester. Mothers who have already had the infection prior to pregnancy have an extremely tiny risk, even with an active outbreak at the time of delivery.
Remember that genital herpes is extremely common but most women with it are completely unaware they have the infection. In the UK around 10% of pregnant women have it but don't realise, and it's not tested for during pregnancy (or any other time without symptoms!) So just remember every single day a large number of babies are born healthy to HSV-2 positive mothers in the UK
However..I find it odd that, since you are aware you have it, they won't just prescribe you a course of anti-viral medication as a precaution? What are their reasons not to?
If you want a c-section then, based on the anxiety you're feeling, you should be allowed to have one.

brownstar · 26/09/2017 13:37

Havingahorridtime yes I’d had it for 10 years

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