herpes symptoms : How does herpes affect pregnancy?

Herpes infection of the newborn (neonatal herpes) is extremely serious; many babies die and those who survive may have severe, lifelong disabilities. Neonatal herpes usually results from exposure of the baby to the virus during delivery. A few cases may result from being kissed by someone with oral herpes.

Fortunately, neonatal herpes is rare. The highest risk occurs when the mother first catches genital herpes during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Therefore, the main way to prevent neonatal herpes is for pregnant women without genital herpes to avoid exposure to HSV near the end of pregnancy. A pregnant woman without herpes must not have intercourse with anyone with genital herpes. Similarly, she should not permit oral sex by a partner with oral herpes.

Women with longstanding recurrent genital herpes are at low risk for transmitting the virus to their babies. To be safe however, a cesarean section often is done if a woman with recurrent herpes has an outbreak when she goes into labor. (A cesarean section delivers the baby by surgery, so the infant does not pass through the vagina.)

Any pregnant woman with genital herpes, or whose partner has either genital or oral herpes, should inform the doctor or other clinician providing care for the pregnancy. In some cases, a type-specific herpes blood test of the woman and her partner can help determine the risk and reduce the chance of neonatal herpes.

If you're pregnant and you have herpes:

Tell your doctor or health care provider about your infection.
Notify your provider if you think you have herpes symptoms when you go into labor.
Remind your provider to check for herpes lesions when you go into labor, even if you haven't noticed symptoms.
If you have active herpes during delivery, you may have a cesarean section.
If you do not have active symptoms during delivery, you will probably be able to give birth vaginally.
Ask your provider about whether you should take an antiviral medicine during the last month of pregnancy to prevent an outbreak.
If you're are pregnant and don't have genital herpes but your partner does:

Avoid contracting herpes; specifically, avoid sex with your infected partner during the last 3 months of pregnancy.
If your partner has oral herpes, avoid receiving oral sex during the last 3 months of pregnancy.
Don't risk giving herpes to your baby. A first episode during late pregnancy and delivery may make your baby very sick.

by John Currie