| Since genital herpes is a life-long, | | | | antiviral drugs ( throughout the pregnancy * |
| incurable condition, it is an issue that | | | | Avoid oral sex during pregnancy if the male |
| definitely needs to be discussed when a woman | | | | has facial herpes. * Get regular checkups and |
| is considering giving birth. While genital | | | | discuss the prospect of a C-section. If the |
| herpes is not typically harmful to adults, | | | | expectant mother HAS genital herpes, the |
| when a woman is thinking about becoming | | | | chances of passing the virus to the unborn |
| pregnant or if she is already pregnant, she | | | | child are again, slim, due to the presence of |
| and her partner must discuss the possible | | | | antibodies in the body that will be passed to |
| implications a genital herpes diagnosis may | | | | the child. However, here are some tips to |
| have on an infant. It is common for genital | | | | reduce the risk even more: * Be certain that |
| herpes-infected mothers to give birth without | | | | your physician, obstetrician or midwife is |
| passing the virus on to their infant, even | | | | aware of your genital herpes diagnosis. * |
| with normal vaginal delivery. In fact, | | | | During labor, examine yourself for any |
| according to the American Social Health | | | | genital symptoms( - sores, itching, tingling |
| Association, less than 0.1% of infants born | | | | or tenderness. * Early in the pregnancy |
| in America each year contract genital herpes | | | | discuss the options for controlling an active |
| during delivery. A woman who contracts herpes | | | | herpes outbreak at the time of delivery. The |
| before pregnancy passes herpes antibodies | | | | choices are to carry on with a vaginal |
| that her body has produced on to her fetus, | | | | delivery or to have a Cesarean section. * |
| which protects it from contracting the virus. | | | | Request that your physician does not manually |
| Infants are more at risk of contracting the | | | | break the water around the infant unless |
| virus during later stages of pregnancy, | | | | necessary. The bag may help prevent any virus |
| particularly the last trimester, because the | | | | in the birth canal from being contracted. * |
| mother's body does not have time to produce | | | | Request that your physician does not use a |
| antibodies to pass to the fetus. If genital | | | | fetal scalp monitor during labor to monitor |
| herpes is contracted during the latter part | | | | the baby's heart rate unless medically |
| of pregnancy, or if the mother has | | | | required. This instrument makes tiny |
| long-standing genital herpes or symptoms | | | | punctures in the baby's scalp, which may |
| during the time of labor, it is a good idea | | | | allow the virus to enter. Often, an external |
| to opt for a cesarean section delivery versus | | | | monitor can be substituted. * Request that |
| a vaginal one. There are only two situations | | | | doctors do not use forceps during delivery. |
| where the fetus is at risk of contracting | | | | They may cause breaks in the baby's scalp, |
| genital herpes: * During the first trimester, | | | | which may allow the virus to enter. * After |
| a severe initial outbreak occurs that can | | | | delivery, closely monitor the infant for |
| result in a miscarriage. This is very rare | | | | about 4 weeks for symptoms of neonatal |
| and can also occur as a result other virus | | | | herpes: blisters, fever, fatigue, |
| infections. * During the last trimester, a | | | | irritability, or lack of appetite. If any of |
| severe initial outbreak occurs. This is risky | | | | these are noticed, take the infant to a |
| because a large amount of virus is present | | | | doctor immediately. If these and other |
| with little time for the mother to develop | | | | pregnancy guidelines are followed, the infant |
| protective antibodies. Neonatal herpes can be | | | | is less likely to contract the virus. To |
| fatal but is rare in developed countries. | | | | decrease chances of outbreaks during |
| Careful monitoring and use of treatment and | | | | pregnancy, it is advisable to take some form |
| or choosing to get a C-section can decrease | | | | of treatment ( Many people opt for natural |
| likelihood of neonatal herpes. If an | | | | treatments that have been proven to decrease |
| expectant mother or her sexual partner has | | | | duration, frequency and severity of herpes |
| genital herpes, it's important to tell the | | | | outbreaks. Some natural compounds have even |
| doctor so that s/he will take the proper | | | | been found to significantly reduce the chance |
| precautions. If the mother is not infected, | | | | of passing herpes to infants. |
| but the partner is, take these precautions | | | | |
| during pregnancy: * Use latex condoms if you | | | | Dylan Morris is a freelance writer and |
| engage in sexual intercourse throughout | | | | supporter of nutraceuticals, natural, herbal |
| pregnancy. * To reduce genital herpes | | | | treatments for disease control and |
| recurrences, the male should take oral | | | | prevention. Visit for more information. |