| By :
Cedric Welsch
The discovery of herpes does not mean you cannot have a healthy baby with genital herpes infection during pregnancy. The risks and complications vary, and treatment options are available to reduce the changes of passing the infection on to your baby. Sometimes, women can have the herpes virus and not know it until an outbreak, which can happen during the most inconvenient time; during pregnancy. Because the body produces antibodies to fight the virus, women build up their immune system to ward off outbreaks. This does not mean that the virus is not present, but it will provide protection for your unborn child. One way the fetus is protected against the herpes virus is through the antibodies produced by the soon to be mom. The earlier in the pregnancy an outbreak erupts, the more protection the unborn child is given. For instance, if you develop an outbreak in the third trimester, there is more risk of passing the virus on than if you became symptomatic in the first or second trimester. The risk increased as the pregnancy progresses because of the time it takes for the body to produce antibodies. For example, if you are nearing your delivery date, there is less time for the body to build up protection and the time the fetus passes through the birthing canal. If premature birth occurs, this also poses increased risk because the little one has not received enough antibodies to protect him/her from the virus. Because the transfer of antibodies to the fetus starts around the end of the second trimester, when a premature delivery is necessary, many obstetricians recommend cesarean section delivery. Another risk factor is the use of a fetal scalp monitor. While this is used to monitor the heartbeat of the infant, the instrument can actually create tiny puncture holes on the baby's scalp, thus allowing the transmission of the herpes virus, the the tiny puncture holes. It is important to protect your newborn. Anyone with active cold sores should limit their contact with the newborn. If an outbreak occurs, you should wash your hands thoroughly before handling your baby. There is no risk to breast feeding or holding the baby, but you want to take precautionary measures to ensure germs and transmittable diseases are not passed on to the little one. Moms with a history of genital herpes, should keep an eye on the baby during the first several weeks of life. Signs of blisters on the body, irritability, fever, poor feeding, may be worth mentioning to the pediatrician. The pediatrician should also know mom's history of genital herpes so the necessary steps can be taken to keep the baby healthy.
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