Finding out you’ve contracted genital herpes during your pregnancy can be extremely distressing. One of the biggest worries suddenly faced is whether this diagnosis will interfere with plans for a vaginal delivery. It’s an important concern, as protecting a baby from exposure to the herpes virus during labor and birth is essential.
The good news is that genital herpes does not necessarily mean you must have a C-section. The key factors obstetricians consider relate to risks of virus transmission to the infant during a vaginal delivery. Elements like when you contracted genital herpes, severity of symptoms before labor, preventive antiviral treatment, and overall health impact how your provider will guide the birthing process.
Through understanding what determines the risks and working closely with your healthcare team, many women who develop genital herpes while pregnant can still achieve a safe, successful vaginal birth. This article examines all the facets involved in making decisions about delivery approaches for mothers with genital herpes during pregnancy.
It provides in-depth, practical information on risks, precautions, treatments, and proactive steps so you can educate yourself, voice preferences, and collaborate on the smartest plan for your situation.
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Can I Still Deliver Vaginally If I Get Genital Herpes While Pregnant?
What is Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection caused by two types of viruses: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). While HSV-1 typically causes oral herpes, it can also be transmitted to the genital area during oral sex with an infected partner. On the other hand, HSV-2 most often causes genital herpes.
Symptoms of genital herpes may include:
- Blisters or sores on the genitals, buttocks, or thighs
- Itching, burning, pain, or tingling in the genital area
- Vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Flu-like symptoms
Many people with genital herpes don’t realize they have it, as symptoms can be very mild or even non-existent. But even without symptoms, the virus hides out in nerve cells and can reactivate at later times.
Risks of Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
Contracting genital herpes for the first time during late pregnancy poses the highest risk to the baby. Transmission can occur during vaginal delivery if virus shedding is occurring, with up to a 50% chance of passing it to the infant. Complications in the newborn can be very serious, even life-threatening.
On the other hand, if you had genital herpes before getting pregnant, the risks are much lower, provided you aren’t having an outbreak at the time of delivery. Still, precautions are needed to protect the baby from exposure during childbirth.
Will I Need a C-Section if I Have Genital Herpes?
Whether you’ll require a cesarean section depends on several factors:
- If you already had genital herpes before pregnancy, you can likely deliver vaginally if you don’t have symptoms of an active outbreak when labor begins
- If contracted in the third trimester or shortly before delivery, a C-section is usually recommended
- If you acquire genital herpes for the first time earlier in pregnancy, vaginal birth may be okay but carries some risk
You’ll need to discuss your situation with your healthcare provider. Testing can determine if it’s a new infection or a previous one. Vaginal exams near delivery check for visible herpes sores. Maintaining preventive antiviral medication from 36 weeks on may also be an option to lower risks of an outbreak occurring during late pregnancy or labor.
Will I Be Screened for Genital Herpes During Pregnancy?
Routine screening of all pregnant women for herpes isn’t currently recommended. However, providers should assess patients with any symptoms like genital sores or blisters. Lab tests can determine if it’s herpes through viral cultures or newer DNA methods. Blood tests can also check for antibodies from previous herpes infections.
Partners may also be tested to identify risks for acquiring genital herpes during pregnancy so preventive measures can be taken. Using condoms and avoiding sex during an active outbreak reduces, but doesn’t eliminate transmission risks. Additional precautions should be taken as delivery approaches.
Treatment of Genital Herpes During Pregnancy
While no cure exists for genital herpes, medications can help control recurrences:
Antiviral medications like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir may be used, especially for symptomatic outbreaks Preventive daily antiviral treatment starting at 36 weeks may reduce outbreak risks during late pregnancy/delivery Pain relievers, baths, ice packs, and local anesthetics can help ease discomfort Keep the area clean to prevent secondary bacterial skin infections
How to Prevent Genital Herpes While Pregnant?
To avoid contracting genital herpes during pregnancy:
- Don’t have sex with partners having active herpes outbreaks.
- Use latex condoms during sex.
- Consider avoiding sex completely in the third trimester if your partner is infected.
- Don’t have oral sex with partners with oral herpes lesions.
While following precautions, pregnant women can still deliver vaginally with existing or newly acquired genital herpes. However, risks to the baby need to be managed carefully through testing, medications, C-sections if indicated, and monitoring for symptoms before and during labor.
Top 10 Tips for Vaginal Birth with Genital Herpes
If you have genital herpes, the following tips can help reduce risks for vaginal birth:
- Discuss delivery options and risks fully with your provider.
- Get tested to confirm it’s herpes and not a new infection.
- Consider preventive antiviral treatment starting at 36 weeks.
- Avoid sex in the third trimester if the partner is infected.
- Watch closely for outbreak symptoms as the due date approaches.
- Get checked for visible herpes lesions before and during labor.
- Deliver in a hospital equipped to assess the baby for herpes risks.
- Have a C-section if an outbreak occurs close to delivery.
- Inform pediatrician of herpes status for newborn exams.
- Get help managing recurrent outbreaks after pregnancy.
FAQs: Delivering Vaginally with Genital Herpes
- Can I have a vaginal delivery if my partner has genital herpes but I don’t?
Yes, but condom use during pregnancy and abstaining as delivery nears reduces transmission risks. Inform providers of the partner’s status for guidance.
- What if I get herpes symptoms shortly before going into labor?
Notify your provider immediately about signs of possible outbreak for the exam. A C-section would likely be recommended at that point to prevent newborn infection during vaginal delivery.
- How early in pregnancy does getting herpes pose risks?
First-trimester infection may rarely cause serious fetal complications. The highest risks for newborns occur from late pregnancy/delivery transmission but can still happen earlier.
- How will I know if I can deliver vaginally or need a C-section?
It depends if it’s a new or previous herpes infection and if you have active lesions/outbreak signs when entering childbirth. Providers examine for risks specific to your circumstances.
- What reduces reactivation risks at delivery if infected before pregnancy?
Daily antiviral suppression starting at 36 weeks lowers outbreak odds. Avoiding sex in late pregnancy prevents virus exposure from possibly triggering an outbreak.
- Does a vaginal delivery with herpes put future pregnancies at risk?
No, subsequent pregnancies shouldn’t be affected. But you may wish to use condoms between deliveries to avoid exposing new partners.
- What symptoms will my baby be monitored for after vaginal birth with active herpes?
Fever, lethargy, poor feeding, rash, lack of interest in surroundings, and seizures require immediate newborn evaluation for possible herpes infection.
- Is a vaginal delivery with herpes less risky after 37 weeks versus earlier?
Yes, the closer to full term, the more the baby’s immune protections develop. Prematurity raises vulnerability to acquiring the infection during childbirth.
- How long do I need to be on antiviral medication after delivery?
Usually, medication is stopped at delivery after being taken for suppression. Further treatment depends if the baby contracts herpes. Discuss with your provider.
- Does vaginal delivery with herpes mean I’ll need C-sections for future pregnancies?
Not necessarily. The future delivery approach depends if it’s a new or prior infection, any recurrent symptoms, when contracted, and overall risk factors.
More Herpes Guides:
- Celebrities with Cold Sores
- Can I Go in a Hot Tub with Herpes Outbreak
- How Long to Wait to Shave After Herpes Outbreak
Resources:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK525779/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/herpes-and-pregnancy
Final Thoughts
Getting diagnosed with genital herpes during pregnancy can be alarming but doesn’t preclude vaginal delivery in many cases.
Critical factors include whether the infection is new or existing, visibility of lesions near delivery, trimester contracted, antiviral use, and avoiding virus exposure that could trigger outbreaks.
By understanding the risks, many women with genital herpes can protect their babies while still successfully and safely delivering vaginally. Close monitoring and communication with your OB-GYN ensures proper precautions are taken.
With the right care, you can minimize risks while achieving the birth experience you envision.
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