Genital herpes at 38 weeks

[Mothertoone2]

Hi,

Has anyone delivered vaginally before whilst having active herpes? I haven't been on aciclovir as I have a c section booked in for 3 August. But I just wanted to know the outcome if you did delivery naturally.

Ive got diagnosed with genital herpes in 2015 and this is my 4th attack since being pregnant. I'm just worried if baby decides to come early what are the chances of him getting it whilst having active liasons? The VBAC team did go over statistics but I honestly cannot remember now.

Thanks

I've just found some aciclovir in my medication cabinet so I will start taking those today just incase. I am 38 weeks pregnant today

Hi - no personal experience of delivery w active lesions, but I do know that in that case the risk would be 1-3% that baby could get it. So pretty low. Just make sure if your waters break you get yourself into hospital and have your CS ASAP (Same goes for contractions but it’s the waters breaking that exposes baby to any risk and once broken for more than a few hours it seems you lose the protective effect of Cs)

@Mothertoone2 hey, I have just had my 28 week appointment and discussed this as I’m in the same boat as you. The dr said the risk is really low even if you have an outbreak during labour if you’ve already had herpes before pregnancy! Something like 1-2% of the baby catching it.

To eliminate the risk she prescribed me Aciclovir from 36 weeks and linked me to this page which tells you everything. I was really worried but ended up feeling not too bad! I think it’s a lot more common than I realised!

www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/genital-herpes-in-pregnancy/