Herpes & 32 weeks pregnant with first baby.

[Laurajaynexo]

Hi everyone - just wondering if anyone has any advice. I’m currently 32 weeks pregnant & contracted herpes from my cheating first boyfriend at the age of 19, that was 8 years ago now. I haven't had an outbreak in around 3 years. I told my midwife straight away at my first appointment as it’s always been something that worried me when it comes to having my children. I’m going to be on a course of Acyclovir before the baby is due which is great even though like I said I haven’t had an outbreak for a while, it just gives me peace of mind. My questions are - I would like the option of a water birth however I’ve read conflicting stuff online and not yet had the convo with my midwife, some things online say it’s not advised when you have herpes as it’s easily spread through the water... does anyone know if this is true or had an experience? and another thing is - I’ve always worried about people kissing my baby anyway and I’ve had the chat with family and friends because of the possibility of contracting rsv & herpes but I’m thinking because I have it then I shouldn’t ever kiss my baby too? I can’t bare the idea of her ever being at risk but it upsets me to think I should never kiss her. I don’t know if that makes sense? I’ve had it for a long time and I’m not sure of the impact on her because of that, does it mean she has antibodies? Thank you

Yes if you’ve had the herpes virus before pregnancy then your baby receives antibodies in the womb and is very protected by the time you give birth. That’s why medical professions are perfectly fine with vaginal birth for women with a herpes infection.

Most cases of babies contracting herpes are ones who don’t have the antibody protection- so either their mother contracted genital herpes for the very first time during later pregnancy or they are kissed by someone with oral herpes after birth (generally a different family member as lack of antibodies usually means their mother doesn’t have the virus)

Which type do you have? Also you having genital herpes is not related to you being able to spread the virus by kissing.

Great, that’s what I thought but wasn’t sure! I’m not sure what type I have as I was hospitalised when I had my first outbreak years and years ago and it was such a rollercoaster of emotions at the time that I never paid much attention to the finer details. Does the types make a difference in any way? I’m assuming I would be able to find that out via hospital/doctors notes... and when you say having genital herpes is not related to being able to spread the virus by kissing is that because it’s spread if you have a cold sore instead? I’ve always thought that if you were having an outbreak (which obviously you would usually know if you were having one) then it could be passed on my kissing? Thank you!

Do you ever have breakouts on your face? If not then fine to kiss your baby and please do! If you do have cold sore breakouts you can probably tell when they’re imminent (tingling etc) so avoid kissing your baby then and treat immediately. Otherwise kiss your baby lots!

I’ve never had a cold sore, you don’t realise how relieved I feel 😥. I would just never want to put her at harm so to know I can chill out about me passing it on is such a relief! Thank you so much

Kissing your baby won’t pass on herpes if it’s genital herpes only if you have a cold sore. As for having a water birth I’m in the same situation as you and was still offered a water birth, I’ve been told that midwives will check when in labour if there is an outbreak and any sores and if so could potentially be given a Csection instead just to make sure the virus isn’t passed on during vaginal birth. You should get offered anti viral medication from 36 weeks until baby is here to suppress any outbreaks occurring before baby is born

Thank you so much for your reply, I really didn’t know that and should have asked much sooner as it would have saved a lot of stress!

Hi OP. Have you ever been on the herpes virus association website? They are a UK charity: herpes.org.uk/

It sounds like you don’t really understand your condition so you are getting stressed by it. The website is a good resource. They also have a helpline.

I’m 20 weeks pregnant, haven’t had a genital herpes (HSV1) outbreak in 8 years…I haven’t told my midwife yet as would I still need suppressive therapy even though I’ve gone so long without outbreak? Thank you x