Herpes and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Baby

Herpes and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Baby

If you are pregnant and have herpes – or if your partner does – it is natural to be concerned about how it might affect your pregnancy and baby. Fortunately, the risk of complications is low, especially if you already had herpes before pregnancy.
Here you will get an overview of what you need to pay attention to and how to best protect your baby - without panic and with lots of security.

 

Can herpes harm my child?

Basically: No, not if you have had herpes for a long time. Your body has produced antibodies that are transferred to the baby through the placenta and protect it.
However: If you get your first herpes infection late in pregnancy (typically in the third trimester), there may be a risk that the baby will be infected during birth. It is therefore important to get a diagnosis and talk to your doctor if you experience symptoms.

When is the risk greatest?

• For first-time infection in the latter part of pregnancy
• In case of rupture in the abdomen at birth

In these cases, the doctor will often recommend a cesarean section to avoid the baby coming into contact with the virus during birth.

If you have previously had herpes, the risk of vaginal birth is very low – especially if there is no outbreak at the time of birth.

Should I have treatment during pregnancy?

Many pregnant women with known genital herpes are offered preventive antiviral treatment in the last 4–6 weeks of pregnancy to reduce the risk of outbreaks and transmission at birth. Talk to your doctor about what is right for your situation.
The treatment is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but it is always an individual assessment.

What can I do myself?

You can do a lot to prevent outbreaks:

• Ensure sleep, rest and a healthy diet
• Avoid known triggers such as stress, illness and sun
• Listen to your body and react early if you notice signs of an outbreak

Many people choose to use a mild herpes cream to relieve symptoms during outbreaks – and QUR herpes gel is an effective and gentle choice that can provide reassurance throughout pregnancy.

Conclusion

Herpes during pregnancy is usually not dangerous, especially if you are already infected. With attention, medical advice and good self-care – for example with effective products like herpes cream or QUR herpes gel – you can feel safe all the way to the birth.