Hepatitis C?

[JennyPenny76]

Hi all

Just thought i'd drop in and introduce myself as this is the first time i've been on here. Hopefully will be able to work my way around here as i'm new to all this stuff! Just looking for a bit of friendly advice really.

Back in 2002 I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. I am sorry to say that I got in with a bad crowd when I was younger and the man I was seeing who was much older than me used to inject me with speed. On 2 occassions I shared his needle, although he told me it had been sterillised. I was young and naive and didn't know any different. It was one of the darkest times of my life and I am so ashamed to admit it. Infact this is the first time I have said it out in the open. It sickens me thinking about the things I used to do. I have been clean for 11 years now and my life is SO much better than it was back then. I am now married with a son and a great career.

When I was diagnosed with Hep C, I was a single mum. My son at the time (by this horrible man) was 2 and was tested also as I had breastfed him, and had a vaginal birth and had lost a lot of blood due to such a long labour. Luckily he was in the clear and remains uninfected thank god.

I have had countless appointments with consultants over the years and had to undergo a liver biopsy in 2003 and was told I would need one every three years, however after the results came back, it showed that my liver was only mildly damaged and I have not had to undergo any treatment. My consultant said that there is only one type of treatment and the side effects are so severe it's not worth taking it. The success rate is also only 40-50%. The virus does not affect me in any way other than I get tired alot of the time. Since then I have had regular liver function tests which show that there is still only mild liver damage and the hepatitis isn't affecting me.

Before getting pregnant I was told that there is only a 5% chance of me passing on hep C to my baby. I am now 34 weeks pregnant and have been struggling to find information on Hep C in pregnancy. It's not in any books or anything and my midwife doesn't know much about it.

I have recently had a liver function test and was told that they are now vaccinating everyone who has it against Hepatitis A and B.

What I would like to know is;

• Is there any other pregnant ladies on here who are Hep C positive, or Mums who have given birth with it?
• Did you breastfeed?
• Was Hep C passed on to your baby?
• Has anyone had the vaccines against Hep A and B whilst pregnant and were there any side effects?
• What was the birth like? Did your birth partner have to gown up? Were you treated fairly?

Sometimes people treat you like a leper when they find out you have it.

I would be gratful of any friendly advice.

 

[calais]

Hi, I dont have hep c and dont know anyone who does but i found some info for you about what your asking.

The transmission of the hepatitis C virus from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or at birth is thought to be relatively low, with only about 5 to 10% of babies becoming infected. However, this may be increased if the woman first becomes infected just before she conceives her baby or at some stage during the pregnancy. At present there is no vaccination or immunoglobulin available that can be given to the newborn baby to prevent them being infected with the hepatitis C virus.

If the baby's blood is tested soon after the birth for hepatitis C antibodies, the test will show as being 'antibody positive'. This is because the baby is carrying their mother's antibodies, passed on to them through the placenta. These clear naturally over a period of months (up to 18 months in some cases). However, there is a special blood test called a 'PCR test', which is capable of detecting or measuring the actual hepatitis C virus in the blood. If this blood test is used on the baby when they are about 6 to 8 weeks old, it will usually show if the baby has been infected or not. If a baby is infected, the outlook for their health is believed to be similar to adults with the hepatitis C virus.

At present, there appears to be no evidence to suggest that hepatitis C can be transmitted from a mother to her baby through breast milk. In Australia, mothers with hepatitis C are encouraged to breastfeed their babies. Women who breastfeed their babies need to check their nipples before each feed and avoid breastfeeding if they have cracked or bleeding nipples

Hope this helps if you havnt already read this And i hope everything turns out to be fine

 

[Pixie81]

Sorry, can't help, but wanted to offer you support as I know someone who has this, although they're not pregnant. Wishing you lots of luck with your baby. xxx

 

[JennyPenny76]

Calais that it great information. Thank you. I know my OH will be panicking now as my midwife said they will test the baby after the birth. He will panick if it comes back positive because of my antibodies.

My doctor told me last time I saw him that I am a carrier but not infected. I guess that means that I just carry the antibodies. Thank you for all your help. x

 

[calais]

Well just reading through that again the baby may come back positive at birth but doesnt mean they are infected. Its because the baby shares your blood/antibodies through pregnancy via the placenta.

Try not to panic. I know it would be hard but all you can do is stay positive

 

[Septie]

Good to hear that you have so far been quite healthy despite the Hep C And congrats on the pregnancy!
If it were me, I'd likely not BF with a condition that's transferable via blood...Especially early on, my nipples were sometimes bleeding, and I only noticed after LO had latched off (so he must have been in contact with the blood)...Hep C is a lifelong condition, and though BF is great (I've been doing it for 6+ months now), I wouldn't want to risk it, even if the risk is tiny. FF is NOT evil (my OH and I, plus our brothers and sisters grew up fine on forumula). If you are really eager, maybe you can pump and dump if you notice bleeding/cracking after a pumping session?
And don't worry what the docs will think - they must see much much worse (babies addicted cause mum is taking drugs during the preg,...). You have been clean for such a long time, and have a loving family - that's all that really counts.