| By :
Cedric Welsch
Soon to be mothers with a history of herpes, are naturally concerned about protecting baby from genital herpes infection during pregnancy. The thought of passing the condition on to their baby or the infant having medical problems due to the virus can cause related stress and anxiety for mom. Some women may not know that they have herpes as they have not yet developed any symptoms. It is important for both parents to get tested if there is even the slightest possibility of contracting the virus. This may or may not be a difficult discussion but it is in the best interest of the unborn child. The reason why it is important to know beforehand is that many women are not aware that they have the virus. If there are no signs or symptoms, there is no reason to believe that there is a problem. When a woman gets pregnant, her immune system weakens. This tends to be the time when the first outbreak can occur. If symptoms occur during the early part of the pregnancy, there is less risk to the infant because the body has produced antibodies for protection. On the other hand, if symptoms occur later in the pregnancy, the risks are increased because there has not been enough time to adequately produce the antibodies. Some physicians argue that any woman who has any signs of genital herpes should automatically have a cesarean section birth. Other physicians believe if there are no active lesions, a vaginal birth will not pose a risk. This is something to discuss with your physician as every individual has their thoughts on the matter. As a soon to be parent, you want to do what is best for your child and education is the first step. Understanding the risks of genital herpes during pregnancy and the possible outcomes can help you make better informed decisions. Of course, your physician will review all of the risks and possible complications with you. Even if you think you may have been exposed to the herpes virus and you have not had any symptoms, this is important information that your physician should be aware of. The more precautionary measures that can be taken, the better chance you have of not passing the virus on to your baby. It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby even if you have the herpes virus, so do not let this take away the joy of being pregnant. This is an exciting time and you want a memorable experience.
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