Childbirth with Herpes - Neonatal Herpes

I am scared to death of transmitting my genital herpes on to my infant. Is it best to have a C-Section or is it ok to have the baby vaginally during delivery? Is herpes transmitted through blood? Is it ok to donate blood and have herpes? Is herpes genetic, meaning can it be passed on through my DNA?

Answer: I found this website and information the best at describing the risks involved with a woman having herpes.

What to consider when a Women is affected by Herpes

Having herpes does not mean that you will not be able to have children. In fact, women with genital herpes can experience a safe pregnancy and normal vaginal childbirth.

Herpes is not a genetic condition and so cannot be passed on from parent to child in this way. Herpes is also not spread through blood, semen or vaginal fluids, instead, the virus is spread by direct contact.

If a woman is having an outbreak during labor and delivery and there are herpes lesions in or near the birth canal, the doctor will do a cesarean section to protect the baby. Most women with genital herpes, however, do not have signs of active infection with the virus during this time and can have a normal delivery.

If a woman has primary herpes (her first ever encounter with the virus) at any point in the pregnancy, there is the possibility of the virus crossing the placenta and infecting the baby in the uterus (about 5% of cases). This transmission of the virus to the fetus causes neonatal herpes, a potentially fatal condition. Mothers who acquire genital herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy are at the highest risk of transmitting the virus.

However, women with a history of genital herpes before becoming pregnant have a very low risk of transmitting the virus to their baby. This is because of antibodies circulating in the mother's blood, these antibodies should protect the baby during pregnancy.

Herpes is not a genetic condition and so cannot be passed on from parent to child in this way. Herpes is also not spread through blood, semen or vaginal fluids, instead the virus is spread by direct contact.

Women with a history of genital herpes before becoming pregnant have a low risk of transmitting the virus to their baby. This is because of antibodies circulating in the mother's blood - these antibodies should protect the baby during pregnancy.

If a woman has primary herpes (her first encounter with the virus) at any point in the pregnancy there is the possibility of the virus crossing the placenta and infecting the baby in the uterus (about 5% of cases). This transmission of the virus to the fetus causes neonatal herpes, a potentially fatal condition. Mothers who acquire genital herpes in the last few weeks of pregnancy are at the highest risk of transmitting the virus.

When a male partner has genital herpes and the woman has no evidence of infection, you may need to consider:

Should you have herpes present in the birth canal near the time of delivery, a caesarean section might be necessary to protect the newborn from coming into direct contact with the virus.

Babies can also contract herpes from being kissed by someone with a cold sore (5-8%). A young child cannot fight off infections as easily as an adult can, so serious health problems can occur. If you suffer from cold sores take every precaution not to put an infant child at risk.

Can Herpes be transmitted during pregnancy and can the herpes virus be passed onto an infant?

Infants can become infected with the herpes virus. If you have ever been exposed to herpes talk with your doctor before planning a pregnancy, even if you have never had symptoms or have not experienced a recurrence in a long time.

You will need to contact your health care professional for more information about pregnancy with herpes, and to obtain appropriate tests and follow-up care for the pregnancy.

If you are interested in talking to other mothers with HSV you may like to visit the Discussion Forum. It is a good place to go for encouragement and support.

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