I was several months pregnant when I was diagnosed with the herpes virus.  I was devastated.  And the fact that I was pregnant with my first child didn’t help any.  I sat there on the doctor’s examining table in a state of wonder and confusion.  I wasn’t one to sleep around and couldn’t understand how I had contracted the disease.  I knew of only one possibility.  And to this day, I’ve assumed that that was when I became infected.  I didn’t know what to say or do, let alone how to feel.  What did this mean for me? What did it mean for my unborn baby?  These are all questions that my doctor was glad to answer for me.

I was worried about the effects that the STD would have on my unborn child.  My doctor explained to me that as long as the baby was in the womb it would be just fine.  But in the event of delivery, I would need to be checked thoroughly for any breakouts of sores in my vaginal area.  I asked what would happen if I had any and I was told that I would have to have a C-section.  Just the mention of having any kind of surgery done scared me half to death. I’ve never had to have more than a splint before and surgery was practically unthinkable for me.

It was explained to me that during delivery the baby could come into contact with the sores.  And if that were to happen, she could become infected, and the virus would attack her brain.  I was told that if that were to happen she most likely wouldn’t survive.  That was a hard thing to take.  At this point I was very nervous and extremely scared.  I asked if there was anything that could be done to prevent a breakout, and to prevent infection to my daughter.  My doctor smiled and told me yes.

When I entered into my third trimester, the doctor put on a pill called Valtrex.  I’m sure we’ve all seen the commercial promos for this drug on the TV and in the magazines.  I was skeptical at first.  I wasn’t sure if the drug would have any effects on my child.  The doctor assured my over and over again that it was safe and very effective.  In fact, he told me of many patients, minus their names, who’ve been through the same thing.  He gave me actual examples of similar situations and the results.  Out of the many he informed me of, only one was taken C-section.  I was still nervous about the whole thing but as it has turned out, my daughter is fine.  When I entered into labor I was checked and there were no sores to be found. 

I considered continuing the drug after her birth, but I figured I’ve never had any horrible breakouts anyway.  The most sores I’ve had at one time are two.  I’ve not had the problems with the STD that most have.  I guess I’m one of the lucky few that only contracted a light case of the STD.  But in any case can still be detrimental to an unborn child.  If you think you may have it, check with your doctor immediately.  In my case, had I not requested the test for myself my doctor would’ve never known.  He stated to me when he was taking a sample of the area for a culture that he couldn’t see anything there.  He told me that he doubted an infection.  Had I not taken action and requested those tests to be done, who knows what could’ve happened to my daughter.  So please, during any pregnancy have your doctor give you a complete check up.  Even if you think that there is no possibility, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.