Ask Me Help Desk - Is home birth an option for me?

The info:

I had a c-section 7 years ago; it was an emergency c-section as the baby was breech. I did not go through labor it was an immediate c-section.

I contracted herpes almost a year ago. I have had no lesions or outbreaks since the day I found out I contracted the virus. It's otherwise non symptomatic, I even forget I am a carrier.

I'm not due for another 11 weeks.

I would like to try a at home VBAC if it's possible for someone like me. I do have another c-section scheduled for the week before my due date, but I'm a little scared to do a second c-section.

Also is your vagina "ruined" after vaginal births-- I keep hearing negative comments about vaginal births and that "it's never the same" sexually and "it sucks for your partner".

Thanks

You might pass on Herpes to the child during the birth... you shed the virus even when there isn't an outbreak.

As far as your vagina being ruined... wherever you heard that... stop listening to.

I've dated a number of women with kids before I got married. Several had one or two kids, but there was one with three and one with four kids... let me tell you, THEY weren't ruined... far from it.

Its all about muscle tone... and a virgin can have less of that than a mother of several kids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothy

You might pass on Herpes to teh child during the birth.....you shed the virus even when there isn't an outbreak.

As far as your vagina being ruined.....wherever you heard that...stop listening to.

I've dated a number of women with kids before I got married. several had one or two kids, but there was one with three and one with four kids...let me tell you, THEY weren't ruined....far from it.

Its all about muscle tone....and a virgin can have less of that than a mother of several kids.

"If you became infected before you became pregnant...

Your baby is likely to be absolutely fine. This is because your body has had time to make antibodies to the herpes simplex virus. This immunity is passed on to your baby while she's still growing inside you. It's very unlikely for your baby to become infected...."

As Per: Genital herpes in pregnancy - BabyCenter Canada

As for your comment about your experiences that makes me feel a lot better!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsSaraB

"If you became infected before you became pregnant...

Your baby is likely to be absolutely fine. This is because your body has had time to make antibodies to the herpes simplex virus. This immunity is passed on to your baby while she's still growing inside you. It's very unlikely for your baby to become infected...."

As Per: Genital herpes in pregnancy - BabyCenter Canada

As for your comment about your experiences that makes me feel a lot better!

This site (National Institute of Health) says otherwise...

Pregnancy and herpes: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

While some other sites I have read say the chance is low... its not zero. And why I said might... and not will. (there are no absolutes)

If you have internal lesions in the vagina rather than external ones (not all are external and why some people are infected and don't know it before testing)... the odds go up significantly.

I'd highly recomment discussing this with your OB/GYN as to the risks and likelihood in your situation.

The uterus is a muscle. When it is contracting, i.e. giving birth, it is doing just that. Depending on your C-Section, whether it is the Bikini line or the navel to pubic bone, you should be able to give birth vaginally if it was a Bikini line C-Section. The cut in the uterus was at the base and goes with the contraction direction. There wouldn't be any chance in contractions. If you had the navel to pubic, that could be much more problematic because it could interfere in the contractions or be harmful.

I have seen a number of C-Sections for the first, and Vag for the second.

The HSV is a different matter, for the safety of the child I would go with the C-Section. There is a small chance she could catch it when you give birth. It is a small chance, but you want to take that chance? C-Sections are frightening, but they're routine and safe.