Genital herpes on the lips in pregnancy

[hopeful]

Dear support group, I hope you can help. I have recurrent genital herpes but only on my face (lips). It's well controlled with valcyclovir and has never been present on my genitals . Problem is I would like to marry and have a baby.... soon. I'm scared silly that if I have an attack in the first trimester of pregnancy, the baby could be deformed. I'm also worried because this is an extremely nasty strain of the virus, that if I can't take valciclovir, the outbreaks will be unbelievably severe-which could not only damage me long term but my baby as well. I would LOVE to take valciclovir before, during and after pregnancy but I can't find any information on women who have taken valciclovir in the early stages of pregnancy. I'd be very grateful for any help. Thankyou

[Lasmom]

I'm not sure on the specific med info - I would check with your doc or the med company about interactions with pregnancy.

I know most of these meds aren't safe for prenatal use - so that may be more your issue.

The worry with pregnancy & herpes is more genital - where initial outbreaks can be dangerous to the child because of proximity - and some women get internal sores. This is why women with GH have planned c-sections to avoid contact with the baby during a vaginal birth.

My doc told me I had a pimple while I was pregnant - she was wrong - luckily I had to hade a section anyway - that misdiagnose could have been devastating to my daughter.

Bottom line - don't worry - you can have kids - the caution will be not wanting to kiss your children when you have outbreaks on your lips - moms have a way of wanting to kiss their children all the time - comes with the job!

You'll be fine - just find out for sure from your doc about the meds - there must be alternative solutions.

[hopeful]

THANKYOU

Dear Lasmom, Thankyou so much for your kind reply. I think I'll find another doctor as my current doc doesn't seem to know much about this.You are doing a wonderful job offering so much support to people- this illness can be very isolating-bless you.

[starnight33]

READ and STUDY current info on herpes....you have wrong info

Hello

Where did you hear that you can harm or cause defects in your baby with any type of herpes strain , that you would have contacted prior to pregnancy? There is so much info available now even on the web. You are in no danger really of givinng it to a baby..other than what the post before mentioned by kissing your baby on the lips.

ALso, even if you had genital herpes, you would never need a c-sect for it, unless you had an active lesion at the time of birth. Even if you did and did not know it, the chances are still very very low of giving it to the baby. ..because you pass on natural antibodies to the virus while pregnant.

Hope this helps. Speak to a well informed doctor or research this on the web for more info.

[Lasmom]

I'm not so sure I agree... check out black orchids story and then come back and let me know what you think.

Do you have children? I do. I had an OB during pregnancy which was misdiagnosed. 2 years later I was properly diagnosed and was told by my Doctor - who has been on magazine covers for her work, that that could have been extremely dangerous for my daughter.

Babies have a very minimal immune system - which is why you wash your hands, etc.. before holding a new born. A sore gone undetected during a vaginal birth could in fact gravely infect an infant - the the slight chance of the blister opening and the virus infecting the childs eyes, repitory system... ask Black Orchid. Her story is engraved in my heart and mind and I would not wish that experience on anyone.

I hope to God I am wrong - please prove me wrong - until then I will demand a c section as my doctor suggested, should I ever be lucky enough to have a second child. Why take a chance? One in a million is too much for my baby.

[Lasmom]

Re: READ and STUDY current info on herpes....you have wrong

Where did you hear that you can harm or cause defects in your baby with any type of herpes strain ...You are in no danger really of givinng it to a baby..the chances are still very very low of giving it to the baby. ..because you pass on natural antibodies to the virus while pregnant...

[kingsfan]

antibodies being present in the mother does not mean that they will be

passed on to the child. there is a definite line of demarcation between the mothers blood supply and the fetus's. the placenta acts as a filter/barrier to many things and with as little as is known on this subject even by docs, i would be hesitant to say that is definite. another note. based on the tests that we currently use and my limited understanding of them, i would think that if that were the case, most kids of those whos mother has HSV, would test positive for it afterwards, the OB/GYN doc that we went to with our first born tests for that in such cases untill 1 year (or rather requests the pediatrician does it) and both my kids tiested negative. another reason to believe that is not the case.

basicly if you are not having an OB, the general school of thought that i am understanding is that there is not any real reason that you cant do it naturally, but if there is any concern on anyones part, c section is the way to go for safety's sake. but not being a doc... please discuss it with your OB/GYN doc & get his take on it also

[ouch]

what if you are one of those who has "symptoms" but dont' show any symtoms...you know, asymptomatic? You can still pass this to the baby.

I don't know, to me, it is not worth the risk. I would lay my life on the line for my child, and any future children, I have. If I have to have a c-section to ensure my childs health, then whoopity doo...I will do it. A very small price to pay. Besides, when I had my son (he is nine now) we almost died in childbirth (I was in labor 45 hours! AND had him natural) and I am NOT doing that again. They should have done a csection THEN and didn't! (thank goodness Idid not have hsv then!) so, yeah, it is a personal choice for everyone, but I am not a gamblin' gal by nature, so...C-section would just give me great piece of mind. Black Orchid has totally convinced me.

[Palomita]

45 hours! You sure earned your name! : )