Herpes in pregnancy, mortified :(

[Frenchiemamax]

Hey everyone. I need a bit of a hand hold please.

I’m only 4+3. 2 years ago I married abroad and when I got home I noticed I had genital warts, sexual health clinic said probably a mix of wedding stress, dirty pool towels, swimming pool water amongst other things. 3 days ago I noticed what I thought was thrush but it’s turned into the most agonising large white spots (what I can only think is herpes) all around my genital area. It’s so painful I can hardly walk and peeing is agony. I read that there may be minimal harm to the baby as I contracted the virus before pregnancy. But that still hasn’t stopped me being worried sick! Can anyone recommend anything for the pain as I honestly don’t think I can cope much longer?!

You need to see a GUM clinic or doctor and get diagnosed and treated. If it's really sore to pee the could it just be really bad cystitis or thrush? Speak to 111 and earlier it's seen and treated the better.

Thank you. Could still be thrush but the painful white blistery lumps are making me think it’s something else!

You can take paracetamol in pregnancy, but as poster above said ring 111.

Get some proper medical advice. Whatever is going on needs to be properly diagnosed, don’t go putting anything on it until you know for sure what it is. Call 111 for an OOH GP appt - tell them your symptoms and that you are pregnant. Or call your local sexual health clinic. Some are open on weekends depending on your location.

It sounds like herpes.

They can lay dormant for years and can come out during pregnancy due to all the hormones...

Sitting in a cool bath will help

Thank you all. Have an out of hours appt at 5pm so praying they can soothe this for me!

If you can, lean forwards when you wee to stop it hitting the sores, I usually touch my hands to the floor to keep it away, the first break out is awful. Paracetamol, lightly salted baths and long skirts and no underwear where possible. You can have the antiviral drugs when pregnant, but you need to book into see a doctor or go to your local sexual health clinic. It sucks, but being someone who is 15 years in with this I can promise you that it becomes less frequent, and when I went into labour the midwife had a quick check to ensure there were no sores before I gave birth

When I say less frequent I mean a 2-3 years between outbreaks

How did it go OP?

Hope you are ok OP

Neem oil & lysine

My doctor told me that in pregnancy, they will ensure you are taking the antiviral mess as a precaution for the last few weeks to ensure you don't have a breakout for when you give birth x

Doctor prescribed flucloxacillin, currently have ice in a flannel resting in the blisters. Had to jump in the bath at 2.30am as nothing would stop the pain. It’s absolute agony I’ve counted 18 blisters so far 😢

*on the blisters not in!

Hi OP
I'm wondering if they think it's Herpes? You have an antibiotic there, unless that's to protect you against the sores getting infected?
You're not alone, it's actually really common just no one talk about it . The MWs will not be fazed at all and like someone said above the main risk is active sores at time of birth, if you're delivering vaginally.
The first is the worst. Mine was 6ish years ago. Now, I can't remember the last time, has to be years!
If this persists, ask them for some lignocaine - it's a topical anaesthetic gel. Miracle stuff!

Thank you Clairey. Doctor said it could be an infection from shaving, or herpes. Blisters seem to have got worse if anything and I’ve spent the last 3 days in the bath and in tears! I can’t bear the pain I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like it. It’s comforting to know that it usually clears up after a week though, I’m just taking each hour as it comes at the mo!

I was diagnosed with it last year when I was pregnant (ended in miscarriage but nothing to do with the herpes). I completely sympathise with you, the pain is beyond agonising. I couldn’t walk, I was crying when I peed and I couldn’t even roll over in bed without being in agony. I know how you feel.

I was prescribed avloclor tablets which I took three times a day and it started clearing up within two days. I was also given some lidocaine ointment which numbed the blisters. I was taking cocodomol for the pain which is safe in pregnancy and I kept a hot water bottle between my legs. I also had Epsom salt baths and rubbed tea tree oil on the blisters which helped immensely. It does help to lean forward as much as possible when you pee. Sorry you’re going through this OP, you have my sympathies .

Also please don’t feel embarrassed. Most people in the world have herpes in some variant or another (be it oral or genital), it’s just that not everyone will have an outbreak in their lifetime.

OP, don't be embarrassed at all.
DH has herpes (though- and this is the good news- he hasn't had a flare-up in about 20 years. I believe it can eventually leave your system).
I don't have herpes but we've always mentioned it during my pregnancies (just to be on the safe side) because there's always the possibility that I haven't shown symptoms.
You should really go to the GUM clinic, as another poster mentioned. It's what they do all day long, day in, day out. I go to the GUM clinic for blood blisters (gross, I know- benign- but they have to be looked at). I prefer going there than to my GP because, let's face it, our bits below are their business.

Mouse thank you for sharing that, I hate to think of others having to deal with this agony but comforting to know I’m not alone and that, as I’m 4 days in, hopefully it’ll be gone soon!!

Vanguard I’ve also heard that sometimes you can have one terrible flare up and then never again, so fingers crossed! I do want to get myself to the GUM clinic, DH has gone away for work until tomorrow evening and I’m in too much pain to drive myself. May ask my Mum to take me in the morning if things don’t seem to be improving.

Poor you! I’ve had flare ups in pregnancy too. Did GP swab to check if it is herpes? If it’s confirmed you can take antivirals for the last few weeks of pregnancy to massively reduce the chance of any outbreaks (just in case you were worrying about vaginal delivery as I did!)

For the pain now- did the GP give you any lidocaine? If not you can get over the counter cream and it will numb sore area for a few hrs at a time. Only thing that really helped. And stay really well hydrated so urine is dilute and less likely to sting. Hope you feel lots better soon.

Are they going to swab to see if it is herpes? I'm not sure why you say you contracted the virus before pregnancy. This is a different virus to genital warts. If I were you I would want to know for sure. A GUM clinic will help.

More no swabs or cream from the GP, think that’s why I’ll get myself to gum clinic just to get a swab done. Are your flare ups quite mild?

Rowena I know one is HPV and one is HSV but just thought there may be some connection?

Yes that sounds very sensible as they can only confirm diagnosis during a flare and GUM clinics much better placed to treat this sort of thing.

HPV and HSV are both from herpes family (as is chicken pox!) but they are distinct viruses as PP said. However you may still have contracted a while ago as they can lie dormant for a bit. Either way the only worry pregnancy-wise is if you have your first flare when you’re about to deliver in which case they would normally offer c section to prevent passing to baby. A flare at this stage is actually good and your baby will have some protection from the immune response your body is currently mounting. Herpes.org.uk is a useful site if you want to do more reading.

Oh and flares much milder with time. I maybe have one a year and I don’t get any sores just discomfort like you would with shingles or a cold sore before the rash comes out. Lasts a couple of days. I found worse during pregnancy as your immune system is naturally a bit depressed.