A cesarean section (surgical) delivery is done to protect the newborn from getting a herpes simplex infection at birth. A mother can pass the herpes simplex virus to her newborn if she has a sore or blister present when the newborn passes through the vagina during a normal delivery. Cesarean section is also recommended if a woman has prodromal symptoms (the tingling or pain of an impending genital herpes outbreak).
The biggest risk (50%) occurs during a first-time (primary) outbreak of genital herpes infection. With repeated (recurrent) outbreaks, there is less than a 1% risk of passing the herpes simplex virus (HSV) on to a newborn.2 Newborns' natural defense systems (immune systems) are not fully developed, so they are more likely to have serious problems if they become infected with the herpes simplex virus.
A cesarean section (surgical) delivery is done if a woman is ready to deliver and has blisters or sores due to a primary or recurrent outbreak of genital herpes
A cesarean section delivery is usually not done if a woman with recurrent genital herpes has blisters or sores that are on the thigh, buttocks, or another area that is not close to the vagina.
Opinions vary about whether a cesarean section should be done with a recurrent outbreak. In the United States and England, cesarean section is commonly performed, although in the Netherlands women generally have vaginal deliveries.
