The moment of birth is always hopefully a happy moment. Every child should be ushered into the arms of loving parents. There is no difference in the joy and beauty of that moment if one of those parents has genital herpes. It is possible that during the birth process if precautions aren’t taken for the disease to be passed from mother to child, but this transmission is rare. Talking with a doctor, taking all the steps necessary to safeguard the health and safety of both the child and the mother ensures there is no reason this time can’t be just as wondrous as it should be for everyone.
It is normal, and natural for an expectant mother to have fears for her unborn child. For women with genital herpes their concerns are compounded. It is critical for an expectant mother to understand the consequences of the baby contracting the disease as it is her right to know these issues before the birth process begins. Should an infant contract neonatal herpes the results can be heartbreaking. Only half of the infants treated with an antiviral medication will respond well. In the case of the infants who do not respond to this medication, there is a chance of permanent damage including serious neurological impairment or retardation. With these complications as a possibility, doctors and parents must show serious caution during the birth.
The positive news is that research indicates a low probability of passing the infection. In the general population of the United States roughly 25% of pregnant women have genital herpes. Out of that 25%, only 0.1% of the infants contracted herpes. In other words, what an expectant mother should understand is that not only is it possible for her baby to remain healthy, it is the most probable outcome.
Perhaps the most often requested information an expectant mother with the infection will need to know is if she will require a caesarean. The answer to this depends on when the infection was acquired, and if an outbreak is either evident or impeding. If the infection was contracted before the pregnancy, or before the third trimester, and no symptoms of an outbreak, or warnings of a future outbreak are evident when the water breaks or labor begins than a vaginal delivery is possible.
There is currently no test to determine if someone with genital herpes is shedding contagious cells. If however, the infection is currently in outbreak at this time with symptoms such as sores anywhere near the vagina, cervix, or outer genitals than a caesarean is necessary. Also, if there are warnings of an impeding outbreak like burning, tingling, or itching a natural birth is not the best option. A caesarean birth should also be arranged in advance if the mother has experienced sudden outbreaks without warning.
Every mother wants a healthy child, so concern or even worry is perfectly understandable during the pregnancy. Speaking with the doctor, and other care workers who will be present during the birth can alleviate many of these fears.
References:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_herpes-during-pregnancy_1360877.bc
http://www.herpes.com/pregnancy.shtml