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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

WWYD - would really value opinions

15 replies

Feeltrapped · 15/01/2009 08:38

I nervously posted on here a while back about the fact that I had been diagnosed with genital herpes about 13 years ago and was very anxious about telling the midifes. The suport I got was fab and everyone was very kind, not judgemental at all and said they would hve seen it a hundred times and not to worry.

Well you were all absolutely right - the midwifes have been fantastic (one in particular has been an absolute star). They don't seem overly concerned but on my request arranged for me to meet with a consultant (well his junior) who was nice enough but a bit dismissive and less knowledgeable than the midwifes.

Anyway, despite all this it is something that is still causing me a lot of anxiety. I know the odds on there being a problem are small, but I have doen a lot of research and I am also aware that the consequences were I to be one of the very unfortunate few that pass it on, can be very serious. This has, and continues to, mar what should be such a happy time.

My biggest concern is that everyone keeps telling me that it will be fine unless I have sores at the time of birth - but that's the problem, when I do occassionally have a reoociurance, I rarely get obvious sores, more an irritation and general soreness that may be less obvious. From what I have read, the majority of people that pass it on, it is because they didn't know they had it and had no obvious sres and i am so scared that I wil have it and they will miss it. DP just keeps telling me that there are a hundred risks in having a baby and that I shouldnt get hung up onthis but I know if something was wrong my baby because of this reason, I would never ever forgive myself.

Anyway getting to the point, I have spoken to a consultant at my NHS hospital who works privately and he has agreed to a elec section if that is whatI want. He did agree with the hospital advice but he aslo said that he could see if was something that troubled me a lot and the physcological impact was important too.

It is not cheap but it is not as expensive as I thought it would be and I am fortunate to have the money put aside to pay for this so taking the expense out of the equation what should I do?

I have been chopping and changing my mind for weeks now, but at 34 weeks I really need to make a decision in the next few days. I am really swinging towards the section as I feel it is the only way I might get to enjoy the last few precious weeks of my pregnancy, I keep reminding myself that nearly 1 in 4 births end up that way anyway. Yet part of me is scared that I am making the wrong decision - I am very much the sort of person that alsways does what she is told so it feels very odd to be going against what the hospital have told me.

Anyway I would really welcome some input as to what you would do in my position. DP feels that I am worrying unnecessarily but wants me to at least enjoy some of this pregnancy and backs me whatever I want to do...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Buda · 15/01/2009 08:46

I get genital herpes too. I think you would be amazed at how many people do. I had DS 7 years ago and didn't actually think to mention it to hospital . I think I put it too the back of my mind a bit too successfully! Anyway - all was fine. I think I sort of thought that if I did have a sore coming up to due date I would tell them then.

However you sound as if this is really stressing you. So as you have been offered the CS I would prob take it if it will help you relax and, as you say, enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

There is a school of thought that CSs are actually safer and that most female gynaes choose sections. Not sure how true it is but it may help in your decision.

sarah293 · 15/01/2009 08:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

jute · 15/01/2009 08:49

Well sections are not without risks. I know you know that anyway. I'm not anti c-section, I've had three, but if I had my time again I would have done more to avoid my first I think (i.e. not been induced, it didn't really need to happen when it did).

I think something I should have thought about more was whether I wanted further children. First sections are usually simple operations, subsequent sections can be more complicated. I certainly found that to be the case.

A great book on c-sections is the one by Michel Odent. It's very good, not at all scaremongering (I read it and it made me happier about the possibility of a third section) but it is realistic. A lot of the fairly minor complications he discusses did happen to me on my second and third sections (baby with difficulty breathing for first day, bad scar tissue which led to some minor -luckily- bladder damage, partial rupture!) I think it's a good book - as I said I read it when I was terrified about a third section and it reassured me, but it does spell out the problems for doctors with subsequent (rather than first) sections.

jute · 15/01/2009 08:53

oh and of course I have no idea, but if you are so worried is a course of prophylactic acyclovir or something possible before birth - I obviously have no idea whether that can cause problems or can be done or is ever done or can even act as a preventative measure -although ds1 had oral acycolvir as a baby so I would assume would be OK for a fetus at term. Just wondering whether there are any alternatives to a section.

Original poster

Feeltrapped · 15/01/2009 09:28

Firstly thank you all so much for responding

Buda - I'm so glad things were okay with your son - I wish I could be more laid back like you so does DP!. I think you are absolutely right that it is more common than what we think - guess its not something anyone shouts about so it can seem like you are the only one!

Riven - the NHS consultant feels a section is unnessary as the risk is small. To be honest I think if I made a real big fuss they may eventually agree but I just don't have the energy for a fight and as well they probbaly wouln't agree until th elast nminute so Iwould still spend the next 5 weeks or so worrying myself to death.

Jute - thanks very much for the advice - I will def take a look at the book. One of DP's concerns is the additional risks of a c-section (annd mine too of course) so it may help us both. I did ask the consultant about prophlactic acyclovir from week 36 but she sort of poo-poohed the idea.

OP posts:

jute · 15/01/2009 09:43

Why did she poo poo the idea? Was there a medical/clinical reason (fair enough, it might not work at all) or was it poo pooed because there's no protocol or something?

jute · 15/01/2009 09:47

oh look might be worth getting this paper

and this one from cochrane

and this

jute · 15/01/2009 09:48

The last paper (bit dated at 1996) looks particularly helpful.

jute · 15/01/2009 09:50

But the cochrane one too- cochrane very respected, so you could certainly ask again about acyclovir armed with that report.

Buda · 15/01/2009 10:36

Lysine is supposed to be good for your immune system with regards to the herpes virus. Not sure if ok to take while PG but am sure you could find out easily enough.

Original poster

Feeltrapped · 15/01/2009 12:53

I think in all honesty it just wasn't an area she knew an awful lot about to be honest. Her plan was to see me again at 36 weeks and if I had any sores book me in for a c-section at 38 weeks - which is at odds with the most recent advice as just because the virus is present at 36 doesn't mean it will be at birth and vice-versa.

If I didn't go for the c-section I was planning on going armed with plenty of information about the use of acyclovir - although it isn't licenced for use in pregnancy it seems it is faily comon practise to give it from 36 weeks especially for those people that regular outbreaks in the 3rd trimester. Thank you so much for Jute for those links - I will take a look at those now. I am sure they will come in very handy.

Buda - I actually bought some the other day but it seems to be a very mixed message about whetherit is okay to take when pregnant. Personally I feel it would be fine and found a couple of reports that suggested it was even beneficial but most things said not to - I think it is more that there isn't any evidence either way rather than it has been found to be harmful

OP posts:

Lotster · 15/01/2009 13:05

Hello Feel trapped.

My friend had the same problem. She had a normal vaginal birth, then planned a normal 2nd birth again, as long as there was no outbreak, but ended up with an emerngency section anyway.

Here's a link to the Natural childbirth website where someone's asking the same question, and the reply about the safe quantity of Lysine to take. You also need to take lots of vitamin C (when on pregnant too) and it's all explained in there:

Natural Childbirth website

Lotster · 15/01/2009 13:08

The lemon balm mentioned (also referred to as Melissa) is quite pleasant as a tea, I have been prescribed it for low mood and anxiety in the past. Could also help with the worrying about it all then too!

Original poster

Feeltrapped · 15/01/2009 14:32

Thanks Lotster, that is very useful. I was sure it was fine but you know what its like when you keep reading things!

Does anyone know if/how they would monitor my baby after birth to make sure he hadn't developed neonatal herpes?

Anyone else have any opinions on whether they would go for a vb or section in my circumstances?

Thanks again to all of you for all your help and advice and particually for going to the trouble to find links to useful articles

OP posts:

Zhulie · 15/01/2009 22:53

Hi Feeltrapped,

Here in the states is it routine for someone with a history of HSV outbreaks to be on Valcyclovir starting at 36 weeks. 1 in 5 women carries the HSV virus, so it's very common. I would encourage you to take the medications and not plan for an elective C section, unless you're having an obvious active outbreak. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

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