Genital herpes in pregnancy - in need of reassurance!

[Leo674]

Hi everyone, I'm in desperate need of some reassurance and positive stories from people who have gone through pregnancy with recurrent genital herpes.
I've had the virus now for about 4.5 years and I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant, I've had slightly more outbreaks than usual but luckily they've all been very mild and barely noticeable so haven't even had to take acyclovir during the pregnancy at all. My midwife and consultant don't seem concerned at all and at 36 weeks I'll start taking acyclovir to hopefully prevent an outbreak at birth, this does make me feel much better but it seems every time I have an outbreak I spend the next few days feeling very anxious and down about it all and I get so worried about baby. I find it's such an isolating condition as it's not freely talked about compared to other conditions/worries people have in pregnancy so find myself feeling quite alone, more so when I'm actually having an outbreak.
I would be so grateful if anyone has been through pregnancy with GH and has any positive and reassuring stories to pass on to get me through the next 2 months!! I just want baby to be born healthy and safe.

Hiya, I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with GH, I’ve been lucky in general as in the 10 years since I was diagnosed I’ve only had a few outbreaks. I’ve also been told that I’ll be put on preventative Acyclovir nearer to term, and I feel really reassured by that as it is very effective at preventing viral shedding and so the baby will be protected. My MW told me that there’s a very small risk to the baby unless you are having your first outbreak, so hopefully that also provides some comfort! Take care

Hi, sorry you’re findiNg this hard - it’s so common but you’re right it’s not really talked about much. Your baby will be just fine - tiny tiny risk. You could consider just starting the aciclovir early to avoid any further episodes, and avoid the extra anxiety that comes with it - no risk to baby from an extra couple of weeks. Hope this final stretch goes well for you!

Thank you both! I know in my heart of hearts that the risk is so minimal especially with acyclovir from 36 weeks, but occasionally my hypochondriac mind flares up and I forget to look at it from a logical perspective! Pre pregnancy i rarely took acyclovir as my outbreaks were so minor and lasted a couple of days so on the rare occasions that I did the meds cleared it up in less than 24 hours so hopefully this means my body reacts well to it and I can stay outbreak free for the last stretch :)

Take care @Boopy75 hope the last stretch of your pregnancy goes well :)

I didn't take the anti virals in the last month, but the midwife did check for sores when I was in labour and was happy to proceed. I was under the consultant up until 36 weeks for other reasons and he was fairly relaxed about it and said they could prescribe the tablets, but I think I just thought well if I have a flare up near the end of request a c section. My focus was on keeping her in though as was at risk of pre term labour from 24 weeks, so probably why I didn't think about that part of things as much