Re: [ozmidwifery] genital herpes

[Lois Wattis]

Hello Jan, I would suggest you access the Australian Herpes Management Forum via their website http://www.herpes.on.net and view the section "Management of Genital Herpes Simplex Infection in Pregnancy".  I believe this provides the most objective and recent information on HSVII, compared to the 'policies' of various institutions and colleges etc.   The main question is whether this is a Primary Episode, especially Third Trimester Acquisition, in which case the risk of viral shedding during labour (if within 6 weeks of the lesions appearing) is very high.  However if the primary episode of HSVII lesions occurred some time before the pregnancy and symtomatic recurrence of genital herpes occurs during the pregnancy, then vaginal delivery is appropriate if no lesions are present at delivery.  The website provides detailed pharmacological treatment regimes where appropriate for mother and neonate.   There are also some homeopathic preparations which have been found to be very helpful in reducing the incidence of recurrence of HSVII in pregnancy - the name escapes me at present - something with "H" in it - Mary M. will know - can you pls advise, MM?   Reduction of stress factors and using dietary and naturopathic  methods of sustaining optimal immune systems are also essential for the mother during pregnancy.  It CAN be done, and I do know of a homebirth which occurred in WA this year where these strategies were employed and a safe and successful outcome was achieved.  Best wishes, Lois    ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; David Simon ; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 9:55 PM Subject: [ozmidwifery] genital herpes GH at 36 weeks what would u do anticipating a homebirth jan