i dont no much about c-sections and i might be wrong in saying this because it might have changed but my sister had a vaginal birth after a c- section

I think I would want to doc to do a blood test anyway just to be certain.I mean it could be thrush or just irritated because of the extra discharge and pressure.I know my bits look totally different,all red and swollen.I would ask for a blood test just to be sure.What if you were worrying and stressing and it was something different.Pregnancy seems to do wild things to our body.X

Hi, I know this is an old thread but I just wanted to post my experience on here for any worried mums to be with herpes.

I contracted herpes from a long term partner who had been sleeping around with countless women behind my back, I was mortified when I found out I had it as I had just been for std check and got the all clear and then found some blisters and hay ho (so I would guess this means that herpes cannot be diagnosed through blood tests). Anyway to cut a long story short I fell pregnant with my son in 08 with a fab partner.

The midwife I had looked at me like I was a tart when I first told her I had herpes and I found the whole situation very traumatic. I am sure her attitude contributed to my stress levels and caused the outbreak after outbreak I had during my pregnancy. However, I finally got sent to an obsteatrician for other reasons and he was so helpful and didnt make me feel disgusting or abnormal and he even wrote a letter to the future person who would be delivering my baby to explain herpes.

Anyway....I had a full blown attack when my labour started and I still managed (on the advice of the medical staff) to have a successful vaginal delivery !!!! . The ped after was terrible and couldnt even tell me what symptoms to look out for with neonatal herpes !!! and placed him on herpes medication for approx 4 weeks without telling me why but My son is two now and healthy and wonderful and I am glad that I had a vaginal delivery.

My advice to anyone (based on my experience) with herpes is that many staff have no knowledge of herpes and you should research the info for yourself, and if they treat you like dirt go elsewhere as kind and non judgemental staff do exist and it makes the world of difference - hope this helps x

OK firstly your doctor is wrong on several levels... you CAN and women DO have a natural birth after a c section... secondly you do need a blood test to be sure of a diagnosis as genital warts can present themselvs in a similar way!

Now onto the intresting stuff... herpes can actually be transmited not just through unprotected sex (sometimes protected believe it or not) but also through a cold sore... so if someone is kissing you down there with a cold sore it is possible to transmit the virus strain from one herpes to another! ... so try not to feel ashamed or embarased hun!

Also as for the herpes virus staying with you for life that is unfortunatly true and false... it stays dormant in your spine but some people only ever have one breakout in their life and some peoples bodys actually manage to evade the virus after several years! true fact...

If i were you id get yourself down to your local GUM clinic(sexual health clinic) and get tested for everything including bloods for herpes etc that way you know exactly what you are dealing with... xx

I managed to escape it but my ex husband had it the whole time I was with him and I recently found out years after the divorce! I guess I was lucky enough to not "do the deed" with him while he was breaking out.