I'm Pregnant

I'm pregnant. If I have genitalherpes, that affect’s my baby?

Yes. It’s unlikely that if you have genital herpes it will harm your baby also. If you are infected before the pregnancy, your baby is likely to be fine. This is because your body will have the time to make antibodies to the HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus).

But, If you are effected after the pregnancy that definitely effects your baby. When you are effected to the virus within the five weeks of your delivery period, your body can’t make antibodies, so your baby can catch herpes during the birth, from contact with the virus in or around your vagina.

After the baby is born, to avoid spreading the virus to his body, always wash your body thoroughly if you have touched any of the blisters or sores.

Will I need a cesarean delivery if I have herpes?

It depends. If you were first infected with genital herpes before your third trimester or before you got pregnant, and you have no symptoms of an outbreak when your water breaks or your labor starts, you’ll be able to labor and try for vaginal delivery. You may need to have your baby by caesarean section if you have your first attack during your pregnancy. The key thing is to tell your doctor all you can. If you think you have an attack of genital herpes in the last trimester it is essential that you let them know. Your blood and samples from your sores will be tested, to check whether this really is your first attack. It’s always possible you’ve had it before without realizing, if it’s clear it’s your first attack, you’ll probably be advised to have a planned caesarean. Having a caesarean will reduce the risk of passing the virus on to your baby.