I too have genital herpes and plan to deliver vaginally. My prenatal care provider has me taking daily Acyclovir to suppress the virus from now (36 wks) until the baby's born. She says I can deliver vaginally as long as I am not having an active outbreak at the time of delivery. If I am having an active outbreak, then I will have to have a c-section. Perhaps you can talk to your doctor about medication to suppress the virus. Good luck.
I was afraid of having vaginal birth also. If you are in good communication with your doctor, maybe you can just plan for vaginal and then if you have an outbreak (and it's due date time) schedule the C-section. I didnt have an outbreak (for either of my children) and both are fine! No C section!
If you are having an outbreak at time of labor, then you'll probably have a C-section. I myself also have genital herpes and had a vaginal birth. If you feel an outbreak rearing it's ugly head anytime close to due date you can take medication that will help. I'd encourage you to keep the option of a vaginal birth very open as it is entirely possible for you without risk. Good luck making your decision.
I have genital herpes. My first child we planned to go vaginally but had other complications and had an unplanned C-section.
Never plan a c-section unless it is your last option. I could not hold my baby because of the pain, for any length of time. I needed more help to take care of her. C-sections are awful!
Our second baby was born VBAC and is perfectly healthy. So I have the experience of both ways and I would always say vaginal unless no other option.
Neither of my pregnancies did I have an outbreak.
Talk to your Doc about all of your options and decide what is best for your baby.
Good luck :)
I agree with Stephany and Cherie. BEST OF LUCK! <3
Jen M. is right on. Have your dr give you acyclovir /valtrex/zovirax (all work)to suppress any outbreak of symptoms starting at about 36 weeks and there is no problem with delivering vaginally. There is abslutely no reason to have a c-section due to herpes unless you are having an active outbreak. C-section is major surgery to recover from. You will have enough on your plate dealing with a newborn. Having a c-section will also predispose you to HAVING to have a c-section with every child, even if you change your mind and want a vaginal birth. Many hospitals will not do VBACS and many drs will not do them either. Please don't stress over this - thousands of healthy children are born to mothers with herpes all over the world. We have the medicine (which is ok to take in pregnancy I might add)to easily overcome this health issue -use it. Best of luck. Enjoy your baby!
hey -- i have had 2 vaginal births with no problems. do some research. there is very little chance of infection. also did not do the acyclovar in the ninth month, which some practitioners recommend. the biggest risk is women who CONTRACT herpes during pregnancy -- very dangerous. please email me with any ?s
Hello Tiffany,
I do not have herpes, however I read the other postings and everyone says a C-section is horrible. I had a c-section with Twins. Not planned after 26 hours of labor and they were not coming I decided to go for a C-section. To be honest I was happy since I was so scared of delivering naturally. Anyways before I gave birth people told me their stories of bad recoveries.
I wanted to tell you my story. I had no problem at all. I had a c-section on a Tuesday and was walking around the next day and taking care of the twin in the hosptial on Thursday. I was released a day early and the next day at home I was doing laundry. I had a great recovery and if I had another child I would do a c-section again. Of course everyone is different but I wanted you to hear a positive recovery outcome.
Hi Tiffany -
Like so many others have written, you can relax. Focus on preparing for the birth of your child, vaginally. A vaginal birth is enough to prepare for; I encourage you to put worries about herpes out of your mind and focus your mind on how you want the birth of your baby to be. Fear and worry are sooo natural when we're pregnant.
Your dr's know how to take care of you, an elective c-section is not a good idea, and you can do so much now to help yourself live with herpes that doesn't involve daily medication. Do more research online, you'll find information and help, and can pick what works best for you.
I have genital herpes, and had my first child last year. My dr's said we were all clear for a vaginal birth, my having herpes was a almost a non-issue, but we had a c due to other reasons. What happens at delivery time may depend on when you contracted herpes - if you've had it for a couple years or more, the chance of having an outbreak then is much less.
During my pregnancy, I did everything I could to prevent an outbreak, and didn't have one. You can take lysine, which is an amino acid, not 'medication', although there are some things to think about with that. See http://tinyurl.com/qsep43 - 500-1000 mg a day has always worked well for me, even stopped outbreaks in the past when I felt that familiar tingle and swelling.
Avoid foods that trigger outbreaks, and eat ones that may be preventative. See http://tinyurl.com/o52v33 You've probably already improved your diet for your preganacy, so you've likely incorporated some of this guidance into your diet now.
Hope this helps,
Carrie S.
You can take Acyclovir before hand and durinf the delivery time and it should be totally fine to have a vaginal birth, unless you have an ourbreak.
I have had herpes for 20 yrs and had my first and hopefully my 2nd at home with a midwife- and I did have the itchy symptom a week before delivery. My experience with things like Valtrex is it can sometimes make things worse ie. your immune system low and the whole point of it is to suppress the herpes. I have found that a good diet, exercise, and red marine algae are much more effective. Good luck to you.
I also have vaginal herpes and I just delivered my first newborn…but as long as your taking your medicine to minioze any outbreaks and you will be able to deliver your baby vaginally