How can i protect my baby if i have herpes while pregnant?

Not a problem: Herpes virus will not get into bloodstream or cross the placenta. It usually resides in nerve trunks and is expressed onto skin or mucosa during outbreaks. After you give birth, well that's a different story. It is best not to get too close during an outbreak if you have oral herpes.

Depends: They are most at risk if you deliver vaginally during a 1st outbreak. (30-40% infected) It drops down to about 5% thereafter. You are more likely to pass virus during an outbreak but silent shedding of virus has been known to infect babies. Some women elect to have a c-section to avoid any risk, either scheduled or within 4 hours of ruptured membranes.