Herpes and pregnancy?! What if the mother gets an infections during pregnancy?!
Question: Herpes and pregnancy.?! What if the mother gets an infections during pregnancy.?
I got Genital Herpes from my ex-wife, it was a total shock cuz apparently she didn't know she had herpes. Anyways, the point is that i got married again and we are expecting, a week ago, i had a tingly feeling, but had no idea that sex should've been avoided at that time. We had unprotected sex. Its more than a week now and she has had no symptoms and also she never had an outbreak before as well. She's in her sixth month of pregnancy and I'm really worried for her and the baby. What should we do now.? Get her tested for the infection right away.?! Is there a chance that she did not catch the infection and if yes what is it.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
This is not something to be taken lightly, she needs to see the doctor right away, and I suggest you go with her. You may not have passed the virus to her, but if you did, it could be bad news. An unborn babies immune system is still developing, meaning that it won't be able to fight the virus well.If there is any chance your wife had the virus before now, preferably 3 months at least, the chances of the baby becoming infected are zero. this gives the mothers body enough time to build antibodies against the virus, which are then passed into the babies bloodstream. If this is the case, delivery is the only concern, and there are many things doctors can do to make sure that the virus doesn't get passed. This includes c-section, or if delivered vaginally, a gel can be put inside the birth canal making a barrier between the mom and baby. It's really important that you two see a doctor as soon as possible. I'm a pre med student and I'vee done many papers and speeches on herpes and other STDs. And also, until the baby is born, you should consider using condoms every time. For the risk of passing the virus and also, sperm naturally makes the uterus contract and release, similar to contractions of labor. This could make your wife go into labor early, or cause concern if nothing else.
I hope everything turns out well, and congrats on the new family :)
EDIT- You, or anyone else can be tested for herpes through a blood test. it test for the herpes antibodies, not the virus itself, so again, you need to have had it for a little while.Health Question & Answer
I hope everything turns out well, and congrats on the new family :)
EDIT- You, or anyone else can be tested for herpes through a blood test. it test for the herpes antibodies, not the virus itself, so again, you need to have had it for a little while.Health Question & Answer
If you had no open lesions then there is a smaller chance that she has caught the virus from you, but it is possible. She needs to tell her obstetrician that she has had a possible exposure, so she can be tested.
The only worry with herpes is if she has an actual outbreak around the time of delivery - The baby can get a quite nasty infection if there are any sores when she delivers. In that case she would need to have a caesarean. If there are no sores, then there should not be a problem.Health Question & Answer
The only worry with herpes is if she has an actual outbreak around the time of delivery - The baby can get a quite nasty infection if there are any sores when she delivers. In that case she would need to have a caesarean. If there are no sores, then there should not be a problem.Health Question & Answer
Some peoples bodies resist outbreaks better than others. She might have the virus and she might not. There's no way of knowing unless she gets an outbreak (which can have a culture test performed) to see if its herpes.
It's completely possible to deliver without spreading the virus to the infant. The baby should be okay during delivery if she isn't experiencing an outbreak.
Health Question & Answer
It's completely possible to deliver without spreading the virus to the infant. The baby should be okay during delivery if she isn't experiencing an outbreak.
Health Question & Answer
Some people who have herpes don't know that they have it because either their symptoms are so mild or they never have a classic out break. Some people are also have no idea about what to avoid when you have herpes. But you should also know that herpes can be passed on even if condoms are used.
Herpes can lie dormant for long periods of time so because she has not had symptoms does not mean that she may not have herpes.
Herpes is rarely passed these days from mother to child but that doesn't mean that it's not possible. Herpes can be deadly if it's passed onto a new baby since they have no immune system yet to fight off infections and viruses. Herpes can cause blindness, brain damage and even death in new borns.
Stress from pregnancy can trigger herpes out breaks. She should be taking antivirals regularly, some of them ARE SAFE to take during pregnancy and she should talk to her doctor about that. As long as she it taking medication the risks of passing herpes to her child would be relatively low. also if she has a c-section that would also prevent herpes being passed to the baby, but if she has no signs of an out break at the time of delivery she should be ok to have a natural birth.
Ger her checked out and tested for herpes NOW while there is an out break it's easier and more accurate to test for herpes.
I have oral and genital herpes. I haven't had children yet but I'm trying for them and have talked with my doctor a lot about it.
PS in the future try to avoid any type of sex when you have any signs of an out break.
Check out babycenter.com, mayoclinic.com, webmd.com and asta.org.Health Question & Answer
Herpes can lie dormant for long periods of time so because she has not had symptoms does not mean that she may not have herpes.
Herpes is rarely passed these days from mother to child but that doesn't mean that it's not possible. Herpes can be deadly if it's passed onto a new baby since they have no immune system yet to fight off infections and viruses. Herpes can cause blindness, brain damage and even death in new borns.
Stress from pregnancy can trigger herpes out breaks. She should be taking antivirals regularly, some of them ARE SAFE to take during pregnancy and she should talk to her doctor about that. As long as she it taking medication the risks of passing herpes to her child would be relatively low. also if she has a c-section that would also prevent herpes being passed to the baby, but if she has no signs of an out break at the time of delivery she should be ok to have a natural birth.
Ger her checked out and tested for herpes NOW while there is an out break it's easier and more accurate to test for herpes.
I have oral and genital herpes. I haven't had children yet but I'm trying for them and have talked with my doctor a lot about it.
PS in the future try to avoid any type of sex when you have any signs of an out break.
Check out babycenter.com, mayoclinic.com, webmd.com and asta.org.Health Question & Answer