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Author Topic: Hep C and pregnant  (Read 15369 times)

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Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Hep C and pregnant
« on: December 23, 2015, 11:01:49 am »
Hi everyone, I have just found out I am pregnant and I have hep c but my partner doesn't know and I don't want him to know. My question is can I go through the pregnancy without having to tell him,I am so scared of him finding out and leaving me or hating me I really don't know what to do x

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #1 on: December 23, 2015, 11:19:15 am »
Hi everyone, I have just found out I am pregnant and I have hep c but my partner doesn't know and I don't want him to know. My question is can I go through the pregnancy without having to tell him,I am so scared of him finding out and leaving me or hating me I really don't know what to do x

Elliott79

I hope that Lucida chimes in for you because, she is a global moderator of this site, an RN and a fantastic blogger and voice for HCV.  Read her blog http://www.hepmag.com/articles/hepatitis_c_pregnant_2502_26893.shtml...I think you will find it helpful.

You have a complicated situation.  Please understand you have friends here.  Your fear of disclosing to the father is a tough one and a subject for someone closer to what you are experiencing than I.  I hope that you are able to discuss this with him, you need that support right now and also the relief.  HCV is curable.  The stigmas that follow the disease are due to a lack of education about the disease.  If ever there was a time to be upfront about it is now.

Again someone will speak up soon and it is important that you find someone that you trust to discuss.  Truly, HCV is no longer a big deal and about 200 million people worldwide have it.

Good luck...you are going to be OK.  peace
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #2 on: December 23, 2015, 12:03:20 pm »
Thank you for your reassuring reply

Offline beto

  • Member
  • Posts: 548
  • "no risk it, no biscuit"
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2015, 12:23:43 pm »
hang in there.  This is a very important topic and one that others are dealing with.  I expect this thread to explode with encouragement, suggestions and moral support over the next several days.  The good news for you is that, as tough as it is, it could not have happened at a better time.  Please discuss with your Doctor and see if you can find a support group for pregnant women in similar situations.  Take a deep breath and know that there are solutions.  All I know is that in life; sometimes the people we are most afraid to disclose uncomfortable information to, can turn out to be the most supportive.  Be strong.  One day you will look back on this and it will seem like only a ripple in your path.  :)
« Last Edit: December 23, 2015, 12:25:46 pm by beto »
HCV/nonA,nonB acute phase 1975
HCV detected active 1990
HCV persistent chronic diagnosis 1995
1995 liver enzymes mild elevations
1996 Biopsy F2 fibrosis
treatment naive geno 1-A
2000-to early 2015 Viral load 150, 000 to 800, 000
recent liver enzymes before treatment alt/ast 59to209,  Fibroscan F4,cirrhosis
start tx Harvoni 7/11/2015
6.5 week-UD-ast/alt 25/25
9wk-UD-ast18 alt23
10/3/15 completed tx
11/5/15 new fibroscan f0-f1 amazed
6wk EOT UD ast/alt 20/20
12EOT-UD-ast/alt19/21
25wk-SVR! 19/18

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2015, 02:26:33 pm »
Thank you so much

Offline KimInTheForest

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,972
  • Believe in yourself
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2015, 03:42:24 pm »
Welcome to the forums, Elliott79! :) And ditto to all that Beto has said in response to your problem. Most of us here are well acquainted with the fear/dread/reluctance to disclose our Hep C status to others. Many of us have lived with this illness in secret for decades, telling no one or nearly no one.

I think in the long run you and your baby will be better off if you can find a way to tell your partner you have Hep C. Even just from a logistical standpoint, it will be hard for you to keep it from him once you are on treatment (which I realize you won't likely do until after the baby is born).

As Beto said, Hep C is something that can now be cured - and with just a few weeks/months of pills. So really, for you right now, the Hep C is not a problem. You will get cured after the baby is born and you are able to start treatment.

Keep us posted, and good luck!
kim
Kim Goldberg (Nanaimo, BC)
1970s: Contracted HCV (genotype 3a)
2015: Cured with Harvoni + ribavirin (12 weeks)
MY STORY: https://pigsquash.wordpress.com/2016/01/28/undetectable-my-hep-c-story/

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2015, 05:18:33 pm »
Dear Elliott,
I love this forum and the input from others, especially the suggestion that you seek advice from someone closer to us - we are strangers - kind, compassionate ones, but still strangers. We know how to live with hep C. We can help with that.

Your partner is at less risk than your baby, but both are low. Personally, I have found it is easier to live with the truth. Right now you live with 2 burdens - hep C and the secret about it. You can unburden yourself of at least one of these weights, but since I know nothing about you or your partner, I speak only hypothetically.

I am sorry you are going through this. Please lean on us if it helps.
Lucinda
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2015, 12:00:48 am »
I really am leaning towards telling him now after reading all these amazing responses

Offline Lynn K

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 4,543
  • Get tested, get treated, get cured, fight Hep c!
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2015, 12:07:44 am »
Can't add anything to what has been said. I just wanted to wish you good luck and congratulations on your soon to be here little one.

wishing you the warmest of Holidays
Lynn
Genotype 1a
1978 contracted, 1990 Dx
1995 Intron A failed
2001 Interferon Riba null response
2003 Pegintron Riba trial med null response
2008 F4 Cirrhosis Bx
2014 12 week Sov/Oly relapse
10/14 fibroscan 27 PLT 96
2014 24 weeks Harvoni 15 weeks Riba
5/4/15 EOT not detected, ALT 21, AST 20
4 week post not detected, ALT 26, AST 28
12 week post NOT DETECTED (07/27/15)
ALT 29, AST 27 PLT 92
24 week post NOT DETECTED! (10/19/15)
44 weeks (3/11/16)  fibroscan 33, PLT 111, HCV NOT DETECTED!
I AM FREE!

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #9 on: December 24, 2015, 12:54:52 am »
Thank you

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #10 on: December 24, 2015, 01:36:03 am »
Unknowingly, I had my second child while I had hep c. She was not born with the virus. It's tough, and there were many fingers crossed when she had the blood test to determine that.

All the best for your decision.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline HazelAustralia

  • Member
  • Posts: 178
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #11 on: December 24, 2015, 08:43:57 am »
Hi Elliott79,
How overwhelming to discover both those things at once. I hope you're going okay. I do know that it can be scary to think about telling someone that you have Hep C. I also know that in relationships people can feel bad that they weren't told the truth earlier. It's important that you feel safe telling him though.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. When will s/he be born?
Hazel
Female age 53
Australia
Contracted in the 1980's
Genotype 1A
VL 314k

Started treatment with Veikira Pak and Ribaviron on Thursday 17th December 2015
NOT DETECTED, End of Treatment, 16th March 2016

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #12 on: December 24, 2015, 08:52:27 am »
Thank you, the baby is due in August

Offline lporterrn

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,969
  • LucindaPorterRN
    • LucindaPorterRN
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #13 on: December 24, 2015, 09:10:28 am »
If you do decide to tell him, let us know if you need facts, such as: His risk of contracting hep C from you is pretty much zero (unless you were having sex with knives and chainsaws, then all bets are off), And the risk to your baby is 5 to 6 % (unless you have HIV, then it is higher), and then hep C is treatable.

If there is shame around how you got it, I hope you find a way to let the shame heal. Few things are more painful and more unnecessary than than shame.

We're here if you need us.
Lucinda Porter, RN
1988 Contracted HCV
1997 Interferon nonresponder
2003 PEG + ribavirin responder-relapser
2013 Cured (Harvoni + ribavirin clinical trial)
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/lucindakporter

Offline MaryC

  • Member
  • Posts: 117
  • Life is not a sprint; it's a marathon.
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #14 on: December 24, 2015, 02:02:38 pm »
I really am leaning towards telling him now after reading all these amazing responses
Elliott...Welcome!  I cannot add to the wisdom already posted by others, but want to wish you the best in whatever your decision may be.  HCV has so much stigma (and often shame and Lucinda mentioned) making it so difficult to disclose to others...even to folks we care about and care about us.  For me...telling others was a like lifting a weight off my shoulders, but everyone and every situation is different. 

Happy Holidays to you (and your little one).  You will get through this experience and it will make you stronger in the long run.

Mary
GT 3a
Dx'd 4/15 not known when contracted
Labs 7/15:
-VL 537,000
-AST 32
-ALT 41
-Fibrosis score 0.46 (F1-F2)
Started tx 9/17/2015 with Daklinza + Sovaldi
6/6/16: 24 week EOT SVR!  Cured!

Offline Elliott79

  • Member
  • Posts: 7
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #15 on: December 24, 2015, 03:16:54 pm »
Thank you everyone for your kind words

Offline Mike

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #16 on: December 26, 2015, 10:55:33 am »
Hi Elliot79,

Disclosing my HCV status was the hardest part for me. I felt a lot of shame and was fearful of rejection.

If you're in an  intimate relationship, however, it is best to disclose, as there is a potential risk of transmission to your partner (though very low).

You need to ask yourself some questions: Would I want to know if my partner had HCV and we were being intimate? How would I feel if my partner knowingly put me at risk for contracting a serious disease and didn't tell me? Could I ever trust that person again? What if my child is born with HCV (there's a 5-6% chance)? How would I explain this to the father?

These are tough questions. However, you really need to answer them.

Best wishes, Mike

 

 
« Last Edit: December 26, 2015, 10:57:30 am by Mike »
Genotype 1a
Treated 2001 with PEG and RIBV
Treated in 2014 SOL+PEG+RIBV
Cured July 2014

Offline hepccheerleader

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 2
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #17 on: December 29, 2015, 12:24:44 pm »
What you need to be concerned more about is that your baby will probably have hep c as well.  Since this is a blood born virus your baby shares your same blood.  i know because i was pregnant and had Hep C for 36 years and didn't know it and my son was born.  Fast forward found out when my son was 21 he had Hep C from me, and we both did treatment and are virus free.  If your partner doesn't understand this, then educate him as well as yourself.  First of all get yourself a good Hepatologist and get testted with a HCV RNA test to make sure you actually have an active virus.  Then you can proceed with treatment after your baby is born.  The baby may be able to clear the virus on it's own, but will also need to be tested as well..  Good luck and please act on this now, don't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #18 on: December 29, 2015, 01:04:04 pm »
Statistically there is only around a 6% chance the child will be born with hep c. There are some factors that increase that number, for example a concurrent hiv/HCV diagnosis, but generally it sits around that number.
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

Offline HazelAustralia

  • Member
  • Posts: 178
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #19 on: December 29, 2015, 04:53:10 pm »
The baby doesn't share the same blood as you - he or she can only acquire the virus at birth from being cut or nicked - this is what they know now that they didn't know when my son was born. I spoke with a specialist Hep C midwife just a few weeks ago. The 6% chance takes into consideration the caesarian births and the use of forceps and scalp electrodes - all of which have an increased chance of nicking the babies skin. A normal vaginal birth has considerably less than a 6% chance. Breast feeding does not pass the virus on, unless you have cracked and bleeding nipples and the baby is teething for example. There is a very good chance that the baby will not acquire Hep C, and this chance is increased if you have a Hep C specialist midwife who monitors and averts risk through the birth. This is not to say that it is not important that you tell your partner for the sake of your relationship and family. I wonder where you are in the world, as I'm sure there would be people who can support you through doing this, or thinking it through at least?
Female age 53
Australia
Contracted in the 1980's
Genotype 1A
VL 314k

Started treatment with Veikira Pak and Ribaviron on Thursday 17th December 2015
NOT DETECTED, End of Treatment, 16th March 2016

Offline Philadelphia

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 1,157
  • It only looks like I know what I'm doing
Re: Hep C and pregnant
« Reply #20 on: December 29, 2015, 05:29:10 pm »
Great info in that answer. Thanks Hazel!
CURED SVR24  Class of 2015
Wk 12 post EOT 30.11.15: ALT 14 AST 22 GGT 22 VL UND
Week 19 07.08.15: ALT 17 AST 23 GGT 25
Week 12 18.06.15: ALT 21 AST 23 GGT 28
Week 8 25.05.15: ALT 23 AST 27 GGT 30 VL UND
Week 4 20.04.14: ALT 30 AST 36 VL 40
Treatment start 23.03.15: ALT 137 AST 185 VL 342,600
Cirrhosis Child-Pugh A, Genotype 1a - Viekira Pak + riba 24 weeks
Total failure interferon/ribavirin/boceprovir Mar 2013
https://www.hepmag.com/blogger/grace-campbell

 


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