Genital Herpes and Pregnancy

Pregnant women with genital herpes should be careful about passing the virus to the baby, but not too worried about.

A mother can infect her baby during childbirth, often deadly. But if a woman had genital herpes before getting pregnant, or if they are first infected early in pregnancy, the chances that her baby is infected is very low – less than 1%. Women with genital herpes are carefully checked for any symptoms to childbirth. If ulcers or signs of an outbreak case at the time of delivery, the baby may be delivered by cesarean section (also called a C-section).

The risk of contamination of the baby is high (30% to 50%) when a woman was recently infected late in pregnancy, however. That’s because the mother’s immune system has not developed protective antibodies against the virus. Women with a previous herpes infection, antibodies against the virus, which help protect the baby. If you are pregnant and you think you might be newly infected, tell your doctor right away.

Ways To prevent Herpes While Pregnant - Women who do not have genital herpes should be careful with sex during the third trimester. Unless you are sure your partner has herpes free, you should totally avoid sex during the third trimester. If your partner gets cold sores (oral herpes), he or she should not perform oral sex on you at this time.

Some doctors believe that all women should be tested for herpes when they are pregnant, especially if their sex partners have herpes. Ask your doctor if you or your partner should be tested.

Genital Herpes Treatment during pregnancy - Women taking antiviral drugs for herpes – either daily suppressive therapy or therapy for an occasional outbreak – should consult their doctor about whether taking drugs during pregnancy. The answer is not set in stone: You and your doctor the risks and benefits need to decide what is good for you to discuss.

Herpes infection in newborns is also serious. Do not allow someone with cold sores on the mouth to the baby to kiss. If you have a cold sore, do not kiss the baby, and wash your hands with soap and water before the baby.