WOMEN’S BODIES: HSV (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) AND PREGNANCY
There’s a myth going about that women who’ve ever had genital herpes must have their babies delivered by caesarean section. This isn’t true. However, if you’re pregnant and you or your partner have been infected with HSV, tell your doctor or midwife. You’ll be checked when you come into labour: if a recurrence is suspected, caesarean delivery will be considered. However, even if a baby is delivered to a woman with an undiscovered recurrence, the chance that the baby will be infected is low because it gets some immunity from the mother.
If you get a first attack of herpes during the early months of pregnancy, you will be advised to take antiviral drugs. If you get a first attack towards the end of pregnancy, antiviral treatment will reduce the risk of the baby becoming infected during birth. Severe infections in newborns are extremely rare, and are likely only if the mother has an undiagnosed first attack near delivery.
Some women who’ve had herpes ask whether they should take antiviral drugs during pregnancy to prevent recurrences. This is something you should discuss with your doctor. So far we don’t know whether these drugs are safe if taken during pregnancy. Records have been collected since 1985 from all pregnant women who have used them. To date there have been no problems.
If you get an attack of herpes (primary or a recurrence) when you have a young baby, you need to take extra care to prevent infecting the infant.
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