Risks of being diagnosed with herpes at 36 weeks? Please can someone help me

[Daisysmith1993love]

I noticed a lump on my vagina at 36 weeks, a very small one. Due to being pregnant I went to the clinic to get this checked. They done a swab and called me a week later and told me it’s herpes.

I gave my midwife this information who sent my bloods off. Turns out I have no antibodies which means I have only just got this virus.

I have been told the risk of my baby contracting the virus if I have a natural birth is 41%. As you can imagine I am in bits finding this information out.

I am having a planned cesarian as this reduces the risk. My question is, does anyone know how reduced the risk is? Will my baby be ok now I’m having a cesarian? I am broken and crushed. I still have just over 2 weeks left and each day is torture for me.

The strange thing about all of this is I have had that same vagina lump come up several times over the past year and a half. I feel certain in myself it is the same lump. Could there be another reason antibodies were not detected in my blood but that I have had this virus for a long time? Is there a chance that the swab could be wrong?

None of this makes any sense to me. My world has completely fallen apart.

Has anyone else had to have a cesarian because of this reason.

Thanks x

How have you caught herpes now? Has your partner been cheating?

I'm sorry I don't know what to suggest. I hope everything goes well for you.

Thank you for replying. I honestly don’t know how I have caught it now. I’ve been with my partner for 2 Years. I think in my head my partner may have had a flare up he didn’t notice, slept with me and then gave me it? I don’t think he has been unfaithful but maybe never got himself diagnosed with this.

I have had the same sore come up several times in the past - since being in this relationship. So I thought to myself I would have antibodies to the virus.

Blood work says that I don’t. Therefore have apparently only just contracted it. It doesn’t make any sense to me.

I haven’t told my partner any of this either. Only my mum knows. It has put me into depression I just can’t deal with a bad reaction from him as well. Just hoping my baby will be safe but each day is pure pain and tears. How can I be happy knowing my baby could potentially be sick because of this shit?

I was hoping someone on here would know the chances of passing it to baby through cesarian. Was hoping for reassurance or something. I feel everything’s fucked.

Are you in the UK? Are you on anti-viral medication? Please be reassured. You are being a fantastic Mum already. You were responsible, got something checked out and are now following the safest course of action for your baby. That's the best thing you could possibly do. If it's causing you this much distress please talk through your worries with your midwife. Now you and your team know you and your baby can get the best care so be proud of yourself for getting that lump checked out.

@Sunshinedelight1287 please get your facts straight in regards to herpes before you accuse the OP partner of cheating!! Yes it is a sexually transmitted disease but not always the case, if ops partner had a cold sore he can easily pass it on.
Around 80% of the population have the herpes virus which is either hsv1 or hsv2, this can be dormant in your body and you may NEVER get herpes. Herpes are the same as a cold sore but you either get genital herpes or a cold sore around the mouth area.

@Daisysmith1993love herpes are more common during pregnancy and can come up at any time.
You could have had the hsv1 or hsv2 virus for many many years and would never know unless you get gential herpes or a cold sore. As I said 80% have the virus but sometimes it never shows. I was told it's more normal to have the virus inside then to not.

I had gential herpes last year and told my midwife when i became pregnant. I am on acyclovir tablets from 36 weeks which should prevent herpes coming up and I am hoping for a natural birth. If I happen to have a flare up near to birth I will have to have a csection but this should not cause issues. Herpes are normally sores and would hurt when you go for a wee. Are you sure it's not a genital wart instead?
Please dont panic it's very common, especially during pregnancy. You've done nothing wrong and are in the right hands with the midwifes. Having a c section is the best thing seeing as they have now come up.

Thanks for responding. I understand that it can lay dormant in the body but from the blood test I have no antibodies whatsoever so the doctor is saying I have only just come into contact with it. Do you think that is true?

I am confused with my results I really am as I know I have had that small lump come up before. It was swabbed though at the clinic and they said it is Hsv2.

I pray my baby is ok. I pray. Xx

Hope all goes well for you and your birth.

Thank you. This is what my own mum is telling me. I’m glad I got it checked so that I can safeguard my baby in the best possible way.

Yes I am in the Uk and taking acyclovir tablets 3 times a day. Waiting for my cesarian date.

The consultant today did tell me not to worry as I am having a cesarian but I just want facts on how many babies are likely to be infected with this virus if mother contracts herpes in the third trimester and has a cesarian x

@daisysmith1993love have they told you this new lump is hsv1 or 2? As if you have been told before you have hsv2 you would have antibodies against it.
If you now have hsv1 then you may have just come in to contact with it but it could of easily been through a cold sore someone had and then touched you. Does your partner get cold sores?
I think if your having a c section the infection rate is low.

I have been told from the swab it is hsv2, with No antibodies for this in my blood. Xx

Hi,

Sorry your going through this right now, I wanted to reassure you from someone who has GHSV2.

A c-section is the safest way to have your baby, if you contract herpes during the last trimester of your pregnancy then the baby has no chance to build up antibodies towards the virus. It's the sores themselves which are dangerous for the baby, if the baby came into contact with a sore doing a vaginal delivery then the baby would be at risk. By having a c-section this eliminates this risk and baby will be fine.

Regarding the blood test, there is no way to know when or who from you got herpes from. Blood tests are extremely unreliable hence why they do not offer them on a standard sexual health test. They often provide false readings. The only way to 100% know if you have herpes or not is a swap of the actual sore, which you have had done.

80% of people who have herpes have no idea, because they either don't show any symptoms or symptoms so small they don't think anything of it. Sexual health clinics will only test for it if your showing active symptoms. Which is why it is so easily spread.

I was on antivirals (daily) at the end of my pregnancies. No issues. They work well.

Hi @Daisysmith1993love i am in a similar position to you. Diagnosed at 38 weeks and have been on acyclovir since. Im still waiting for my bloods that will tell me what type it is and if I have antibodies. I’m now 39+2 and have an elective c section booked for Thursday for reasons other than the herpes. Please could you let me know how your baby was after birth? As I have only recently found out I have herpes I’m terrified that my baby will be unwell when born as he won’t have any immunity. Thank you