May 09, 2012
Another inspiring story from a Mum who didn't get to take her baby home just reached us here at Innermost Secrets. She experienced reduced movements later in her pregnancy (she ...
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April 15, 2012
Any of you who have attended one of our Parentcraft classes is likely to have met Libby, our midwife. She also works at UHW and is trying to promote skin ...
March 15, 2012
This blog has been a bit neglected lately as life got in the way of cyber postings but gathering dust on my bookshelf sat a book that Dr Beattie had ...
Genital warts are brought about by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most pregnant women who have been infected with HPV and have had genital warts in the past usually have healthy pregnancies and uncomplicated deliveries. However, the virus can be passed on both before and during birth in women who currently have genital warts. Although not always curable, they do not usually pose a major risk to your baby’s health during pregnancy.
The symptoms of genital warts get worse during pregnancy since the immune system gets suppressed normally during this period, making the woman more susceptible to infections and viruses. Thus, genital warts may become larger during pregnancy.
The main concern is that the unborn baby of a mother infected with genital warts may contract laryngeal papillomatosis, which is a life-threatening condition. Symptoms of this disease can lie dormant for as long as three years following birth. Laryngeal papillomatosis is when warts develop in the mouth and throat area of the baby. This may happen when the virus gets passed on through a contaminated birth canal. Since the mouth and throat area are warm and moist, they provide an excellent breeding ground for HPV. The virus thus resides in those places and multiplies at a fast rate. If a baby does become infected with laryngeal papillomatosis, laser surgery is required at regular intervals to eliminate it so that it would not obstruct breathing. Interferon therapy may also be used side-by-side with laser surgery in order to further slow down the course of the said disease.
Another main concern about having genital warts is that depending on the warts’ location, they may become so big that they make a vaginal birth impossible for some infected women, and a caesarean section may be required
The treatment options for genital warts for pregnant women are different than those for other women. Pregnant women should not apply any over-the-counter treatments for genital warts prior consultation with a doctor. Most over-the-counter medications for genital warts are salicylic acid-based, making them harmful to the unborn baby. Furthermore, some prescription medications, such as podofilox, may cause birth defects since their chemical contents are easily absorbed through the skin. If you are pregnant and you think you have genital warts, it would be best to consult your obstetrician. He/she can recommend a treatment plan that is effective and safe for you and your baby.
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