A 32-year-old member asked:
If a woman has genital herpes and gets pregnant will her baby be mentally damaged?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Walter Kobasaanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 39 years experience
Probably Not: The real concern is if the lesions are present when you go into labor you probably need a c-sections. Initial herpes infection during early stages might cause a problem. You physician can do a test to determine if you were exposed before or it is new..Since the herpes infection is already present, the baby would not be mentally damaged by the herpes infection.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Manageable risks: If a mother delivers vaginally with her first genital outbreak, there is ~30% risk the baby could get it and have a terrible illness. If a recurrent outbreak, this drops to ~4% but suppression of outbreaks or c-section delivery before the membranes are open 4 hours can cancel the risk. Rarely, some women shed herpes without an outbreak and could pass it , baby sick around 2 wks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
686 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 38-year-old member asked:
Could genital herpes cause problems during pregnancy?
Dr. Richard Chudacoffanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 34 years experience
Yes: If it is the first outbreak then there is a risk to the fetus, regardless of the type of delivery. A congenital infection can have devastating effects... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A 23-year-old female asked:
Is it harder to get pregnant if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes?
Dr. David Kurssanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
No: You just need to take extra precautions during the pregnancy to limit the potential risk of the fetus becoming infected- especially during birth. Of... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:
Diagnosed with herpes 1 almost year ago. Ishherpes 1 known as genital herpes. Herpes 2 indeterminate. is pregnancy risky. Would I need ssection?
Dr. John Leander Poanswered
Infectious Disease 20 years experience
Genital herpes= HSV2: Generally, genital herpes is associated wth HSV-2; cold sores is generally caused by HSV1. It is important to tell your doctor if you have sores in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Can genital herpes affect pregnancy or getting pregnant in the future?
Dr. Anne Haleanswered
A US doctor answeredLearn more
Yes and no.: If a patient is known to have genital herpes then she is usually offered suppressive therapy at about 36 weeks to prevent transmission to the baby as ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
Is there a blood test which tests for genital herpes? Im pregnant and need to know.
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
May be: A blood test will reveal if you have been exposed to the virus but will not tell if you have active genital infection. Examination by a gynecologist ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated May 22, 2017
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