Question:
Hi Everyone,
I havent posted to this board since being diagnosed in June. My husband started getting blisters on his penis 3 years ago, but never got checked out. I decided to get tested in June 07 because I thought my husbands blisters were not normal. He would only get them once in a blue moon. He did not think they were STD related.

I have never had an outbreak (knock on wood!). We have a 2 year old son, and I am pretty sure I had herpes when I delivered him and never knew it. My question is, we want to try to have another baby this month, but I am really getting scared about the delivery aspect of pregnancy with herpes. I have read up on it, but im still very nervous.

Now that I know for sure I have it, I am very scared about delivery. I had a great vaginal labor and delivery with my son, and he is perfectly healthy. I really do not want to have a c-section, but will do anything to protect my baby. How many women have had successful vaginal births, and what did your doctors tell you? Were they successful in testing during labor for an outbreak in the birth canal? Any advice would be appreciated!

Answer:
I have had a child birth after my diagnosis! My midwife made me take Valtrex for I believe 2 weeks everyday until labor. Anything that made my symptoms appear (stress) I tried to stay away from. My daughter was born perfectcly normal. Of course we had the 2 day observation stay but everything was normal. My physician asked me if I had any symptoms before giving birth.

Answer:
I have had a child birth after my diagnosis! My midwife made me take Valtrex for I believe 2 weeks everyday until labor. Anything that made my symptoms appear (stress) I tried to stay away from. My daughter was born perfectcly normal. Of course we had the 2 day observation stay but everything was normal. My physician asked me if I had any symptoms before giving birth.

Answer:
Bonita,

I was unbelievably concerned about vaginal delivery and having HSV. I think I talked to my doctors about it EVERY single visit. They assured me that the chances of my child getting neonatal herpes was very low and they put me on suppressive therapy. During my labor, every nurse that walked in the door was told about the HSV. Nobody tested me to see if I was shedding but I went on to deliver vaginally.

I too do not have breakouts but tested positive for HSV2. One thing you need to remember is to always wear a condom after you find out you are pregnant.

I'm now concerned what the future will hold for her. Will she have outbreaks when she gets older because of what I have.

Answer:
hsv2 mom, the only way your child would have outbreaks is if she contracted it from you through the birth canal if you were shedding but she would have shown symptoms at birth or the days/weeks after birth......herpes is extremely serious in infants and so there would be effects. I think you should check with your doctor and make sure this is true. Or if she was infected before birth but that is slim to none if you didnt get herpes while you were pregnant i believe. Anyway, as far as i know you may pass antibodies on but not the live virus to your kids unless they acquire it from you in utero or physically by being passed through the vaginal canal if you were shedding/having outbreak. So she should be fine as far as I know....it doesnt work the way i think you are worried about....like, she will not just develop outbreaks unless she contracts this on her own.