Herpes in pregnancy

[moveitorloseit]

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and I've had herpes for about 10 years and haven't had a breakout for about 9 so don't even think about it anymore. Remembered to tell the midwife at my last appointment and now I've been referred to a consultant, is this normal? She told me I'd just be prescribed antivirals from 36 weeks and didn't mention a consultant. What are they likely to do at the appointment? I'm terrified they're going to try and make me have a c section or something!

It says on the letter to bring a urine sample what do they do with this, test it for herpes?

I have had herpes for about 15 years and I have 2 children. I was referred to a consultant with both, and was prescribed medication with the first but when I had my son in Feb they said it wasn't necessary.
They won't pressure you to have a c section, they'll just want to make you aware of the risks and that you may need one if you have active lesions when you go into labour.

@moveitorloseit
I had an outbreak of herpes at the beginning of this year (never had it before), and i'm now 17 weeks pregnant.
From what i was told by my midwife is i will need to take Acyclovir from the 3rd trimester as it is safe to take during pregnancy, if i have an outbreak at the time of labour i will need a c-section.
I also have an appointment at the hospital and my midwife said it's just to discuss treatment ect regarding the herpes.
As long as you don't have active herpes you can have a normal birth i have been told.

Thanks for the replies. I haven't had an active breakout for 9/10 years now so I think it's unlikely I'll have one at the time of birth although I know how pregnancy messes your body up 🙈 I didn't think I'd have to see a consultant about it, the midwife said she'd contact my dr to prescribe the antivirals from 36 weeks and then I get the consultant letter in the post which has made me panic about them trying to make me have a c section or something and I'm really scared of that happening. Hopefully it's like you say just to discuss risks/treatment etc.

You should be fine but I have spoken to my midwife/dr and a herpes specialist at a clinic who said herpes can come up in pregnancy, as you said due to the hormones so even people who have the virus but haven't had a break out could get them in pregnancy. So if you have the virus you could get a break out even if it's been a while since the last.
So I guess the consultant appointment is just precaution so dont worry :)
I was told though that having the virus before being pregnant is much better than getting it during pregnancy which can happen, as your body has already got the antibodies to fight it.

Try not to worry they can't force a c-section unless you have an outbreak but being on the tablets you should be fine :)

Have read that pregnancy can bring on an onset of break outs, however I didn't get any when pregnant. When I went into labour I was advised I'd be examined to check for an outbreak and sent of an emcs if there was one. All was fine and no c section needed. I didn't take anti virals either