I have herpes. I have Type 1 (and which type you have DOES make a difference - HSV1 is typically much less problematic). I got it through oral sex while my partner had a cold sore on his mouth. Go figure. So you could have gotten it from your current partner - who knows!
You do NOT have to have a section. However, I do recommend that you do some major suppression therapy (valtrex, or the like - I'm not a fan of meds but IMO since you're having an outbreak so close to your EDD I think the risk of not taking them is higher than the risk of taking them) as well as dietary therapy (re: the lysine suggestion). And lower your stress! Stress is a HUGE trigger for HSV. If this means going for massages 3x a week and taking nice warm bubble baths every night, do it!
If I were you, I would simply look for an outbreak when you go into labour and then make a judgement call then. IF you have had it for a while, you have been making antibodies for a long time which will significantly reduce the chances of your baby getting it IF there is any kind of shedding. Breastfeeding will also reduces the chances so make sure you nurse exclusively and don't give in to supplementing.
I've had HSV1 for two years now. I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant. I have NO concern about it at all. I'll keep an eye out for a lesion when I go into labour, but I'm really not worried the tiniest bit about it. When I first found out I freaked out so scared that I wouldn't be able to have a vaginal birth again so I did a lot of research and came to the conclusion that the only reason I would consent to a cesarean is if I have a lesion that CANNOT be covered up (there is some kind of clear liquid that they can put on it that essentially seals it off - like glue or nail polish sort of - or sometimes they will just drape something over the lesion).
Remember,
you are not doomed to a cesarean, not yet. You still have time and you still have options.
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