STD's and natural birth

[ihugtrees]

One of my good friends was just diagnosed with Herpes. She is understandably very upset, and one of the things she is worried about is the chance at having a natural birth one day. She read that you have to have a c-section. At this point she has never had any sort of breakout and wouldn't have known she had the virus if she hadn't gotten tested (after the end of a relationship with a not-so-honest guy).

Does anyone have any information I can send her?

[Sarahstw]

The issue with birth and Herpes is only when there is an *outbreak* in the birthing area, at the time of the birth. So, if she started having outbreaks then it would start to be a concern. Some care providers even offer a plastic-type spray if there is an outbreak at the time of the birth, although most highly recommend c/section.
Plenty of people will test positive for herpes (of one variety or another) who have no recollection of ever having a lesion. She may have had one small cold sore as a child... It may have absolutely nothing to do with this guy you mention.

[ihugtrees]

She has HSV 1 as well as 2...she told me that type 1 is the type that causes cold sores, 2 is the kind that causes genital herpes.

I will pass on the info to her and hopefully she will never break out.

[kltroy]

Yes, if she has an active herpes outbreak genitally, this can be very bad for the baby (blindness I believe?) It's something that she can make a game-time decision about, but IMHO if she truly DOES have active lesions this is a legit reason for a c-section.

[billikengirl]

I have a friend who has herpes and her care providers (in hospital) have never pushed c-section. They prescribe antivirals at 34-36 weeks until delivery. No problems with her baby.

My understanding from my own reading is that only internal lesions present at the time of birth necessitate a c-section, that external lesions can be covered with latex or spray bandage. And that the antivirals can help prevent an outbreak.

[Novella]

Originally Posted by ihugtrees

She has HSV 1 as well as 2...she told me that type 1 is the type that causes cold sores, 2 is the kind that causes genital herpes.

I will pass on the info to her and hopefully she will never break out.

That's what I had always read, too. Anyway, this thread made me curious so I was looking up some further information and found this:

"There are two types of herpes viruses - Type 1 (HSV-1) and Type 2 (HSV-2). A herpes virus infection is more common than you think - 85% of the world has been infected with at least one type. In the past HSV-1 infections occured in the mouth and HSV-2 infections occured in the genital area, but now either type of virus can infect either site."

Just thought it was interesting.

[Peppamint]

Yes, you can have type 1 outbreaks the genitals... which can result in a pretty sad looking outbreak on the baby if you have an outbreak when baby is born vaginally.