Herpes 2 , home birth?

[Sillylemonade1]

I had my first outbreak of genital herpes last summer, and now it's rare to have an outbreak.

Anyone been in or know someone who's got hs2, and managed to have a home birth? Is there any reason I couldn't etc. Having a Google it says there's a tablet I can take after 36 weeks to reduce the risk of an outbreak, but could the midwives still say no and that I'd need to go to a hospital?

This is my 3rd baby, my labour's have all been very quick and I would love to have a home birth!

Thanks!

Midwives can't stop you from having a home birth, it's your right to birth where you want. They can however advise you of the risks and benefits and make a recommendation, and you can make your decision based on that.

So sos sorry to jump on this thread.. but can any please spare some eyes and opinion... I think I'm 11dpo I didn't track this month but today took this test what do u think

@beachlife321 you'll get more responses starting a new thread on the topic, rather than derail the OPs valid question. This isn't even a line eyes thread...For what it's worth it looks clearly negative to me, sorry.

I've tried yo delete my comment.. when I clicked on the thread i wanted I didn realise I hit this thread instead my mistake... I'm sorry to op ...

www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/management-genital-herpes.pdf

Aciclovir is offered from 36 weeks but if you have an outbreak just prior to or during labour, c-section is recommended

Hi OP, I wasn’t planning a home birth but I was planning a natural water birth in hospital. I had an outbreak at about 37 weeks, I called the hospital for advice and the midwife on the phone said ‘you’ll probably need to be booked in for a c section then’ - I was devastated. Anyway I went into hospital to see a consultant and the conclusion of that appt was that I didn’t need a c section unless I was in the active stage of the outbreak while in labour. Luckily I went into labour 2 weeks overdue so I was well clear. While in labour a midwife read my notes and asked me about the outbreak, I guess they were worried about me using the pool, I said it was weeks ago and I’m fine now. They seemed a little hesitant, went away, and eventually came back and said it was fine. One thing I will say is my experience was they seemed to have very little knowledge about the whole thing. My advice would definitely be discuss with someone now and possibly start taking medication to prevent an outbreak. My outbreaks were rare too so I’m sure the hormones/stresses of the last part of pregnancy caused the outbreak. Good luck!

I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and also have hsv2, for about 4 years now, this is my first baby. When I spoke to my lead midwife about it at 9 weeks she pretty much said I could have the baby anywhere and they would likely put me on acyclovir at 36 weeks to prevent an outbreak. She seemed to know more about the virus than another midwife I spoke to at a later appointment who was just very unsupportive and unhelpful, I agree with the previous posters point about a lot of midwives not knowing that much about it, I think it completely varies.
I then had an appointment with a consultant at about 22 weeks and she was amazing, she made me feel really calm about it all and confirmed I would be on acyclovir from 36 weeks, as it is my first I hadn't been planning on a home birth and she said I could have the baby in the midwife led unit attached to the hospital. I'll have another appointment with her at 36 weeks to finalise things. I would advise asking to be referred to a consultant as they have much more knowledge on the subject and can help you make a birth plan. From lots of research and the consultant appointment I had I would say as long as you were outbreak free for 2 weeks before going into labour it will just likely run as any other birth, the acyclovir will help with you being outbreak free as well, and especially as it's rare for you to have an outbreak anyway that shouldn't be an issue. I find it's helpful to just note in your calendar when you have an outbreak and when it finishes then when you do go into labour you can just quickly check when your last outbreak was.
The risk is so so small and you're in the best position as you had your first outbreak a while ago and also you know you have it so know what to look for, I've had ups and downs with feeling anxious I think in part due to being unlucky with that one midwife who's knowledge and general attitude was just really poor, but my consultant was amazing and really normalised it for me. I think it can be hard as it's not often talked about but it's really pretty common and for the vast majority of women is just treated as any other pregnancy.
Wishing you all the best and hope you can have your home birth :)

Thank you so much for your replies ☺❤