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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 in pregnancy!

19 replies

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 08:00

Hi guys,

Currently 35w 5 days pregnant with baby number 2! I’ve had herpes for 6 years now. I managed to give birth vaginally with my first son, I didn’t have any outbreaks at time of delivery and didn’t have any from about 29 weeks. However I’m suffering at the moment with a really bad cold and surprise surprise have just got an outbreak! I’m so scared! I keep thinking shit what if I go in to early labour, will my baby be ok? I’ve expressed my concerns to my midwife but they don’t really seem to be bothered and have explained to me that because I’ve had it so long my baby will get the antibodies from me and the chances of him getting it are like 1%. But I’m still petrified! 1% is still a chance. Has anybody got any advice?? I’m going to start taking acyclovir from Monday but I’m so worried this time around and this outbreak is a pretty bad one! Xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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churrosandicecream · 21/09/2019 08:26

Hey!
I have genital herpes myself it's a right pain in the arse I can tell you now!
Sorry to hear you having an outbreak late into your pregnancy. I had an out break when first found out I was pregnant I think cause my hormones are raging.
I think I was the same as you and was giving meds to take from 35 weeks pregnant till my due date so I wouldn't get an outbreak. I think tbh what they told me anyway is if you have an outbreak they'll give you a c section. I don't know if this is true but that's what I got told. And also I got told it can spread to your baby if you have an outbreak when you give birth. (Just googled it again to double check don't want to be giving wrong info here) id defo maybe query it again with your midwife or gp. Sending you luck x

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 08:35

Hi thanks for your reply. I’ve spoke to my midwife and doctor and both of them have said even if I had an active outbreak at the time of the labour that I would not be offered a c section. Apparently you can only get a c section if
You get herpes for the first time late in pregnancy. I’m praying this outbreak will go fast but I feel so run down ah the moment I don’t know if it will x

OP posts:

churrosandicecream · 21/09/2019 08:46

@Courtney10891
Oh right okay well that's news to me. I mean I'm not saying they're wrong as they're medical professionals and I know nothing compared to them lol.
Well considering your 35 weeks pregnant I think you'll be okay. You've still got around 5 weeks to go until bubbas here so take your meds normally takes around a week to clear up and stop stressing! Remember stress makes symptoms worse! If you need any support then don't hesitate to PM me. Good luck I'm sure you will be okay x

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 08:49

My biggest worry is nobody knows about the herpes and obviously my family will be there. I’m so scared the midwife will say it and they will know. I don’t want anybody knowing x

OP posts:

churrosandicecream · 21/09/2019 08:54

Oh bless you.
It's such a hard one because there is such a huge stigma around it. I see it as it's just like having a skin condition like eczema. You've got it now, it itches and it's sore at times. It flares up and then goes away for awhile, what can you do about it. You didn't intentionally go out and get it!
Are your family going to be at the birth with you? I mean what you could say to your midwife who is delivering the baby is not to mention it. Or if she does need to mention it ask your family to step out and ask them to make another excuse on why they had to step out if you understand? Midwives are normally so lovely and they wouldn't want you to be stressed or uncomfortable while trying to push a baby in the world. Ask someone to put it in your notes to not mention it while your in delivery room x
@Courtney10891

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 09:29

With my first pregnancy it was not mentioned once during the labour and to be honest was hardly mentioned at all during the pregnancy. I think I’m worried because I’m nearly 36 weeks and having an outbreak. It’s because I have a cold I always get an outbreak when I’m not well. Just hopefully clears sooner rather then later. X

OP posts:

churrosandicecream · 21/09/2019 09:52

Yeah the same with me all they spoke about was taking meds 35 onwards. And never spoke about it during labour. I can completely sympathies with you I'd be just as worried as you are. I'm really hoping everything goes well for you. Just make sure you take your meds as that will ovbs help you. I was also prescribed a cream version of the tablets when I had an outbreak when I was pregnant and was told it was better because your putting it directly on the place that needs it and it works faster so maybe try that x

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 10:26

You would think I would be more relaxed seeing as it’s my second pregnancy lol!

OP posts:

churrosandicecream · 21/09/2019 10:31

@Courtney10891
Well you know what they say,every pregnancy is different! For better or for worse I guess! X

rosedream · 21/09/2019 10:48

Ask for it only to be mentioned in private and put in your notes / on your birthing plan.

I can understand why you're worried. Try not to. It will clear up over the next week or so and there will be nothing to be worried about.

Poor you as it must feel so uncomfortable.

HariboBrenshnio · 21/09/2019 11:38

I had active herpes in both my pregnancies, not caught in pregnancy, and I fought them for sections. They said there is 1% chance of it passing to baby - but that 1% chance includes deafness and eye issues if the shedding in the birth passages passes over. Neonatal herpes can be fatal in the worst cases and there just isn't enough information about it to make informed decisions.

I'd much rather take the risk to myself than baby. Ask for an appointment with a consultant and if that consultant says no, ask for another. I changed hospitals over it because I felt so strongly. I get herpes a lot, after every period, which likely means it's connected to my hormones so in pregnancy it went nuts and I refused to have a vagina birth while covered in herpes.

Good luck, I hope you can get somewhere with it!

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 15:32

Oh really. To be fair I don’t get many outbreaks one - two per year. When I said to the midwife and doctor about a c section they Both looked at me like I was mad. I’m 36 weeks basically so think it’s too late to check he hospital. My first pregnancy and labour was fine I just don’t like that I’ve had an outbreak this late on it’s quite worrying x

OP posts:

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 21/09/2019 15:36

Thank you, it is very uncomfortable xx

OP posts:

kmammamalto · 23/09/2019 03:49

Hi.OP
Hope you're feeling ok! Can I quickly ask if having herpes made your pregnancy be classified as high risk?

Original poster

Courtney10891 · 23/09/2019 07:46

Hi,

No it does not make you a high risk pregnancy xx

OP posts:

MarieCC · 06/06/2022 21:52

Hi there
i know this post is old but I would like to ask how your pregnancy went?
I have caught herpes-I think through a friends cold sore (So frustrating)
I am anxious for when I try for a baby again
xx

courtney251 · 07/06/2022 09:59

Hi,

I decided to go for a c section. Hi know there risk is super low but my anxiety was just so bad about it. Do you have facial cold sores or genital herpes?

MarieCC · 07/06/2022 10:34

Hi thank you for your message.
we lost our 1st baby as I had to go into premature labour so I know I will be high risk but this now adds more stress. I just can’t believe it.
Genital. Did you have cold sores or genital x

courtney251 · 09/06/2022 14:33

Hi I have genital herpes. My first pregnancy was absolutely fine and I gave birth vaginally without any issues.

I was given acyclovir to take from to 35 weeks right through to when I gave birth which stopped me having an outbreak at the time. There was no mention of it throughout my pregnancy the midwives seemed so unbothered they didn’t even mention it during labour. My second Pregnancy I’m not sure why but I’ve definitely experienced a lot more outbreaks I’m not sure if it’s because I had a young child so I wasn’t sleeping very well and I was just a bit more stressed in general so I decided to go for the C-section which again wasn’t an issue everything was fine and again there was no mention of the herpes.

It can be very very worrying I know I’ve been there so I’m not gonna tell you not to worry but the truth is if you’ve had it before getting pregnant then the chance of passing it on to Baby is slim to none. However you have to do whatever you feel comfortable with and whatever feels right for you x

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