When a pregnant patient has genital herpes, which complication are they at higher risk for than the general population?

When a pregnant patient has genital herpes, they are at a higher risk for cesarean delivery compared to the general population. This is primarily due to the risk of transmitting the herpes virus to the baby during a vaginal delivery if lesions are present at the time of labor. If a mother has active genital herpes lesions or a prodromal stage of the disease, healthcare providers typically recommend a cesarean section as a precaution to protect the newborn from potential infection, which can lead to severe complications such as neonatal herpes.

The importance of managing genital herpes in pregnancy lies in understanding how it affects delivery methods and the health of the infant. If lesions are present, it is safer to opt for a surgical delivery to reduce the risk of transmission. The decision to perform a cesarean can thus be directly linked to managing the health of both the mother and the baby, making it a critical aspect of care for pregnant patients with genital herpes.