Herpesvirus can have a devastating effect on the baby's central nervous system. If initial outbreak occurs during the first trimester, consult with backup. If there are active lesions when labor commences, vaginal delivery is generally prohibited unless sores have closed and can be kept from contact with the baby. Do cultures on both the sores and cervix in the event of any outbreak during pregnancy. Weekly cultures are no longer deemed necessary in the last trimester--a visual inspection of the cervix at the onset of labor is considered sufficient to rule out current infection. But if membranes rupture prior to the onset of labor, screen the cervix within two hours, as the baby may be rapidly affected by herpesvirus without the barrier of intact membranes.
-Elizabeth Davis, Heart & Hands, 3rd ed., 1997
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 1 Issue 36, Sep 7, 1999)
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