Genital herpes

[Birdy1991]

Hello,
I got genital herpes a few years ago and haven’t had an outbreak in a long time. I think I mentioned it briefly at my booking appointment but can’t find anything in my notes and it hasn’t been mentioned since by any of the midwives I’ve seen. Now I’m getting worried as the birth comes closer. I have four weeks of acyclovir suppressant medication if I take x2 a day but I have now read that x3 is needed for pregnant woman, so I definitely need to try and get more I think to start at 36 weeks?

Has anyone experienced vaginal delivery with the worry of genital herpes? And do people think I should go to my GP or midwife at this point? I’m not due to see my midwife again until 35+6, so wonder if I should go to my GP first instead.

I wasn't given acyclovir at all in pregnancy, I was told that if be examined when I went into labour and if sores were present I'd be whisked off for an emergency c section. Think my trust had a different approach, thankfully I didn't have an outbreak during pregnancy and was confident when I went into labour that I was fine, but mentioned it to the midwife when I got on the birthing unit. All was fine thankfully and my DD arrived a few hours later. Definitely speak to your midwife about it though at your next appointment.

Ok thank you. I’ve not had an outbreak since 2017 so I’m remaining positive. How long ago did you have your daughter? Thanks for your reply

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant, and although I've not been diagnosed myself, my partner has and therefore there is a chance that I have it also.
When discussing with my Midwife at the booking appointment, she wasn't worried at all! She said that even if I was to develop an outbreak prior to labour, it wouldn't affect vaginal delivery at all, they would simply need to provide antibiotics to both me and baby at the time of delivery.

Previously they wouldnt allow you to have a vaginal birth if you had an outbreak, however things have changed quite abit 😊

Definitely speak to your midwife and see what support she can offer x

I had my DD in 2015, I was consultant led throughout pregnancy for other reasons and the consultant was quite chilled about it also. He did mention acyclovir if needed, but it didn't come up again

I had aciclovir twice a day from 36 weeks, it was fine. No outbreak and a vaginal birth. I asked the midwives to check me in labour just to be sure! I think the aciclovir was prescribed by a consultant rather than my GP as I remember having to collect it from the hospital pharmacy. If you're worried about dosage speak to your GP as I don't think the midwife can prescribe. Try not to worry!

@Birdy1991 good point! I’ve had it for 17 years and get an outbreak a few times a year. Thankfully I’ve not had it at all during pregnancy. I mentioned it at my booking appointment and it’s not been mentioned since, I’m now 36 weeks pregnant. I might mention it when I next see the midwife but I’m thinking unless you have active sores it not a problem. That’s good going if you haven’t had an outbreak since 2017! X

I found an extra box of acyclovir In a drawer last night that is still in date so have 8 weeks worth. Phew 😅

Hi! Just want to message as I'm freaking out! I've had herpes for 11 years and I get outbreaks quite frequently and badly. I've been on suppressive therapy a few times and it does get better afterwards but always reverts to the same cycle. Anyway, I'm 12+2 weeks pregnant, not on suppressive therapy and I'm having a painful outbreak. I have a lot of blisters and I feel slight cramps down below - which I always do with a bad outbreak. I'm terrified of passing it to the baby whilst it's growing and scared of what could happen. I am due to see a consultant next week who is going to discuss this all with me and work out what to do for the birth but I was just wondering if anyone has or knows anyone who has a herpes outbreak that may have caused a miscarriage or a problem with the foetus whilst in the womb? Is that possible? Has anyone taken suppressive therapy throughout the whole of pregnancy with no harm to the baby? Thanks!

Hi @kidsareok I don’t think that there’s any danger to the baby unless you have active sores while giving birth and the baby touches them - I think that’s the only way it can be passed on. However I am no expert! Hopefully someone can answer your question properly. Take care x

Hey hope you're ok. I have had 2 babies and I have herpes. My first labour was a vaginal birth and my second I was experiencing a lot of outbreaks so I decided I wanted to go for a section. Both labours were lovely and really straight forward. You will be fine promise x

I was told that they would only advise a c section if the woman had her first outbreak over the birth period.
Just take your aciclovir and you'll be fine

Hi Op, I had a recurrence outbreak towards the end of my first pregnancy, once the outbreak started I got put on Aciclovir but it only cleared up about a week and a half before my waters broke, I was reassured that it was ok to have a vaginal birth, after having my DC the midwife raised the fact that the outbreak had been so recent to paediatrics and my DC was put on Aciclovir drip for 5 days and had a lumbar puncture to check if he'd had caught it (he hadn't) but it was obviously quite upsetting as I'd been told right up until the end it was all ok.
I've since found out because I wasn't 2 weeks min clear there was a small risk so I'd advise anyone with an outbreak that if it's less than two weeks go for a C section (I did have a section but due to waters breaking and the time in between they were cautious)
My second DC I had the drugs from 36 weeks and no outbreak so I'd make sure you are on the correct dose from doctors rather than an old supply. Had a virginal birth and no issues this time.
I in no way want to alarm you I think as long as you are on the drugs it will probably be just fine but I wish I'd known the first time around that even if it clears up it needs to have been at least 2 weeks clear.