Posts Tagged ‘pregnant’
Wednesday, February 18th, 2009
We talk a lot about sexual safety and safer sex here at Scarleteen in terms of your physical health. But what about checking in to see if sex is safe for you and yours emotionally? Taking care of your emotions, looking out for risk factors in advance — not just when they become an existing crisis — and safeguarding yourself, your partners and those around you from needless hurt and harm is just as important as doing what you can to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies.
Sexuality and sexual partnership is more than just physical, even when it’s casual — it involves our feelings and thoughts as well, and those of our sexual partner.
It seems that a lot of what we hear in terms of safeguarding our emotions — if we hear anything at all — in regard to sex (and remember that here at Scarleteen, when we say “sex” we mean any number of sexual activities, not just sexual intercourse or heterosexual sex) is that either sex is okay, or it isn’t, and we just shouldn’t engage in it if we don’t want to be hurt or hurt others. Or, that only sex within marriage is safe emotionally, but that simply isn’t so: people are no less likely to become hurt by sex within marriage than they are outside it, especially if high divorce rates and spousal sexual and other abuse rates are any indication. To boot, marriage is neither an option nor a goal for everyone.
Only seeing general, binary options — to either have sex or not to — doesn’t help us an awful lot, or give us food for thought to determine what may be risky sexual behavior for any of us when it comes to our hearts, minds and the quality of our relationships and sexual life. Sex is not something that need be hurtful, or that we have to avoid so as not to get hurt or hurt anyone else. When entered into with a solid basis of self-awareness, empathy, care, good judgment and an arsenal of accurate information, sex has no more the capacity to hurt than anything else in life, and has the capacity to be something wonderful, empowering and beneficial.
Just like using condoms, gloves and dams, and having regular sexual health care is preventative medicine to do your best to stay physically safe and healthy; being on the lookout for high emotional risks, hurtful or unrealistic situations, or potential sexual and emotional trouble is preventative medicine to stay emotionally healthy, and help those you’re involved with do the same. It’d be silly and shortsighted to only give information on a sexually transmitted disease after one already has it, or to avoid looking at what we could do to lessen the likelihood of getting one in the first place. So, think of the following pages as preventative medicine for sexually transmitted infections of the emotional variety. If you get informed, keep a watchful eye and protect yourself and those you care for from the very start, you’re much more likely to remain healthy and happy and sexually well, above, as well as below, the waist.
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Tuesday, February 17th, 2009
Herpes is a virus that can be spread very easily. It is a virus that can spread from person to person through skin to skin contact, and it can end up appearing on many different areas of the body. Herpes is marked by an eruption of a cluster of blisters, and although you will usually notice an immediate breakout, some people do not break out at all.
In fact, you may have herpes and not even notice it for quite some time, so you really need to pay attention to yourself and watch out for these sorts of symptoms.
Herpes and Pregnancy
If you have herpes and are pregnant, there is some information that is important for you to be aware of. Herpes and pregnancy, the thought of it together, may frighten some people, but at least when you are more educated you are going to be more understanding and will know whether herpes and pregnancy is going to be a dangerous combination for you.
Even if you have herpes and are pregnant, chances are that you will give birth to a healthy baby. One of the biggest worries that pregnant women with herpes have is that they will end up passing the herpes on to their child during labor, but this is not always the case. You will really want to speak to your doctor for more information on this if this is something that you are worried about.
Now on the topic of herpes and pregnancy, of course you are going to want to learn about how the herpes might end up affecting your pregnancy. If you had the herpes before you got pregnant, then the risk of your baby becoming infected is going to be quite low. On the other hand, if you did not get herpes until after you became pregnant, there is a slight risk that it is going to end up affecting your developing baby.
You will need to keep your doctor abreast of your situation if you get herpes while you are pregnant, especially if it happens in the second or third trimester.
Also on the topic of herpes and pregnancy, one of the most common questions that people have is whether or not they will be able to breastfeed. The answer is yes, because the herpes virus is not transmitted through breast milk, and so you can feel safe nursing your baby and not have to worry about passing the virus on to them.
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009
Q: Me and my boyfriend plan to marry after school. I really love him and I really want him the same way he wants me, but I am scared about if we have sex then he leaves me. I don’t want to lose him.
A: There’s no sense in being anything but frank.
Sex does tend to change things.
It can bring about or illuminate changes in the relationships it occurs within, changes in our other relationships, and changes in ourselves. Often, we have to add some factors to our lives we may not have had to before, like adding the use of birth control or safer sex, getting sexual healthcare, talking about sexual limits, boundaries and desires, negotiating sex or navigating through sexual conflicts or issues. Obviously, certain results or consequences of sex, such as a pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection, can also create physical changes, as well as changes to our lives and relationships.
Sometimes those changes aren’t even negative things, like losing someone, winding up with Herpes or discovering that sex just doesn’t feel good or right between you. Sometimes those are neutral or positive changes, like discovering new and pleasurable things about yourself or your sexuality (or about your partner and his sexuality) you didn’t know before, getting a boost to your body image, winding up with a wanted pregnancy, or having a relationship go to a new and bigger place, but they are still changes, all the same, and sometimes we’re just not at a time or place in our lives where we feel best able to deal with big changes. This is why, in the Sex Readiness Checklist we have at Scarleteen, one of the questions we suggest people ask themselves if if they feel able to handle any changes sex may cause.
As well, with any relationship we are in, that relationship changing, coming to an end, or any one party leaving is always a possibility, whether we have sex or not, whether we (when we can) marry or not.
There is absolutely nothing any of us can do to assure that a given person stays with us, or stays in a certain relationship with us.
Whether sex is part of the picture of not, life changes things, and time changes things. People change and relationships change as we live, learn and grow, and there is no magic formula or list of things to do or not to do — nor an order to do things in or not — which can put you in complete control of that. One of the trickiest parts of love and relationships is that while they can feel eternal, and while we may have times when we want a certain way we feel, or place we’re at in a relationship, or person to stick around forever, if we can count on any one thing in our lives, it’s change, and that fact that nothing really lasts forever.
So, in my book, the way to approach that is to value our feelings as much as we can while we have them, and to love and honor the people who are in our lives while they’re here as best we can. I also think it’s sage and caring to try and be flexible and open enough that when — as we all tend to — each of us changes, we can still love each other and be in one another’s lives being more attached to who people are than to what exact kind of relationship we are in with them. (And if you talk to older couples who have been together and happy for a very long time, you’ll hear many say that in a long-term marriage, that kind of flexibility is key.) By all means, when you find something marvelous you want to commit to as fully as you can, and really put your whole heart into, I say go for it, since that’s so much of what really living life is about, but also understand that trying to always telescope all your actions based on what will keep someone around can, at a certain point, get in the way of fully experiencing and enjoying what you have while you have it.
What I seem to hear you saying, though, in regard to sex, sounds to me like you are feeling that it is very important to you to assure — for as much as you can — that when you have sex, you do so in a relationship with someone who is committed to staying in the relationship with you after sex. That’s hardly an uncommon thing for a person to want: many people feel that way, and that’s absolutely valid.
Maybe for you, that means you’d prefer to save sex together for after marriage: if that’s what feels best to you, you get to do that. Or, maybe you need to sit down and have a deep conversation with your partner about your concerns, and if you very strongly feel you want to have sex before marriage, but are fearful about him leaving, see how he feels about that, and find out how committed he is to sticking with you no matter what sex might change for each of you and between you. In doing that, you can also provide him the opportunity to talk about his own fears and concerns, which you’ll want to be sure get addressed just like your own.
It sounds to me like you’re expressing feeling pretty fearful about this right now, and I know for myself that when I feel very scared about doing something which is absolutely optional — and sex is, and always should be — I find it best to take more time to work out how I feel about that thing and how that thing may or may not really suit my needs before I go ahead and do it.
So, my personal suggestion to you would be to take some more time to sort out your feelings and talk with your boyfriend before you become sexually active.
Not only does that make it more likely that you’ll make the best choice for you, but sex when you’re fearful simply does not tend to be very enjoyable or enriching: our minds and bodies don’t tend to experience a lot of pleasure when we’re scared or freaked out, and it’s also tough to be open enough to really get close to someone during sex when we’re scared. The time when it’s going to be most right for you is when it’s not this scary, and clearly, when you feel a bit more secure in your relationship than you do right now, and have developed more trust than you have in it right now. An intention to marry or a promise of marriage in the future can’t automatically create things like trust and stability with where you’re at (it’s sage to say that marriage is more about a demonstration of those things as they already exist): it sounds to me like it might be a good idea for you, in your decision-making with this and in general, to think less about a future marriage and more about where you’re at, how you’re feeling, and what you need to feel more secure in your relationship today.
Don’t forget, too, that sex is not just intercourse. The only two big differences between vaginal intercourse and all other kinds of sex is the risk of pregnancy, and the fact that some people simply attach more importance to vaginal intercourse for personal, religious or cultural reasons, particularly before they have it (afterwards, it can tend to be clearer just how different from other kinds of sex it often isn’t). In other words, if you are doing things like making out, or having manual or oral sex, then you already are going to have some idea of how things are going when it comes to sex and the two of you. If you are doing those things, you can look at how those have been going, and if it seems like the sex you’re already having in your relationship is working well within it and leaves you feeling good — not just physically, but also emotionally — or not-so-great.
Again, no matter what, you can’t have a guarantee that any choice you make will assure your boyfriend stays your boyfriend, becomes your husband or sticks around: there is just nothing you can do to assure that. Heck, maybe you’ll find that it’s you who thinks about leaving him at some point; maybe it’s you who will find that sex changes how you feel about him, your relationship, yourself or your future plans. Maybe you two will have some changes in your relationship — or that one of you will decide not to continue on with it or a marriage — over something that isn’t about sex at all. While you can’t have that guarantee, you can manage this in a way which is most likely to keep you and your relationship in a good place.
You’re the best expert on knowing when something is right for you, and when you feel up to handling something and when you do not. You can certainly act in ways which are most likely to benefit your relationship and its quality, such as being honest about your fears, voicing your own needs and working with your partner to assure that sex is something you both really want, and feel ready both to manage and enjoy. The bonus is that doing that not only helps you make the best sexual choices that you can, it helps nurture and grow more love in your relationship as a whole.
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Tuesday, January 6th, 2009
Cold sores are blisters on the lips and the edge of the mouth that are caused by an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Cold sore blisters usually break open, weep clear fluid, and then crust over and disappear after a few days.
Other symptoms may include:
* A sore mouth that makes eating, drinking, and sleeping uncomfortable. Cold sores can be painful.
* A fever.
* A sore throat.
* Swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
* Drooling, in small children.
You may not develop cold sores when you are first infected with HSV. If cold sores do develop when you are first infected, they may be more severe than in later outbreaks. During the first outbreak of cold sores, the blisters may spread to any part of the mouth.
After you become infected, HSV remains in your body and may cause cold sores to return throughout your lifetime (recurrent cold sores). Most people have 1 to 12 outbreaks a year but have fewer outbreaks as they get older.1
Recurrent cold sores usually develop where facial skin and the lip meet. About 6 to 48 hours before a cold sore is visible, you may feel tingling, burning, itching, numbness, tenderness, or pain in the affected area. This is called the prodromal stage.
Some common triggers that cause cold sores to return include:
* Sunlight exposure, especially on the lips.
* Stress.
* Fatigue.
* Other infections, such as a cold or influenza.
* Food allergies.
* Dental treatment.
* Injury to the lips or gums.
* An impaired (weak) immune system, either because of medicines (such as corticosteroids) or because of an autoimmune disease.
* Cosmetic surgery, such as dermabrasion or laser skin resurfacing.
* Hormonal changes in women caused by the menstrual cycle.
* Pregnancy.
People who have weakened immune systems are more likely than those with strong immune systems to have longer or more severe outbreaks of cold sores. HSV infection may be life-threatening in certain people with weak immune systems.
Who is at greatest risk for developing cold sores?
Anyone who is exposed to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is at risk for developing cold sores. But many people may have the virus and may never develop cold sores.
People who have weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for having more severe and longer-lasting outbreaks of cold sores.
One form of HSV infection is seen most often in children 1 to 3 years old. This type of HSV infection (primary herpes stomatitis) can cause a high fever and blisters throughout the mouth, which can interfere with the ability to eat. It can be serious in children-they can get quite sick from this illness, although they usually recover without any long-term problems.
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Thursday, December 11th, 2008
Pregnant women with genital herpes should be careful about passing the virus on to the baby, but not overly worried about it.
A mother can infect her baby during delivery, often fatally. But if a woman had genital herpes before getting pregnant, or if she is first infected early in pregnancy, the chance that her baby will be infected is very low — less than 1%. Women with genital herpes are examined carefully for any symptoms before giving birth. If sores or signs that an outbreak is coming show up at the time of delivery, the baby may be delivered by cesarean section (also called a C-section).
The risk of infecting the baby is high (30% to 50%) when a woman is newly infected late in pregnancy, however. That’s because the mother’s immune system has not developed protective antibodies against the virus. Women with an older herpes infection have antibodies against the virus, which help protect the baby. If you are pregnant and you think you may have been infected recently, tell your doctor right away.
Ways to Avoid Risks of Getting Herpes While Pregnant
Women who don’t have genital herpes should be careful about sex during the third trimester. Unless you know for sure that your partner is herpes free, you should avoid sex altogether during the third trimester. If your partner gets cold sores (oral herpes), he or she should not perform oral sex on you during this time.
Some doctors think all women should be tested for herpes when they get pregnant, especially if their sex partners have herpes. Ask your doctor if you or your partner should be tested.
Treatment Issues
Women taking antiviral drugs for herpes — either daily suppressive therapy or occasional therapy for outbreaks — should consult their doctor about whether to take the drugs during pregnancy. The answer is not set in stone: You and your doctor have to discuss the risks and benefits to decide what’s right for you.
Herpes infection in a newborn is also serious. Do not allow anyone with a cold sore on the mouth to kiss the baby. If you have a cold sore, don’t kiss the baby, and wash your hands with soap and water before touching the baby.
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Friday, December 5th, 2008
The biggest impact of genital herpes is usually emotional. Painful symptoms, limitations on sexual activity, and that it’s an incurable, lifelong condition can lead to depression. If your partner is pregnant or trying to get pregnant, however, genital herpes is a major concern. Her doctor must be made aware of it. Genital herpes is also more serious for people with HIV and other conditions that weaken the immune system.
You may have heard that genital herpes causes cervical cancer. That’s not exactly true. It may be a factor, but it’s not the main cause.
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Thursday, November 27th, 2008
What’s The Big Deal?
Genital herpes is not life threatening in and of itself. But having herpes sores makes it easier for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, to enter your body. Not only is there an increased risk for getting HIV if you have genital herpes, but having the two diseases together may also make each one worse.
A pregnant woman can pass genital herpes on to her baby, so it’s particularly serious during pregnancy. If you get infected near the end of pregnancy, the risk is highest. At least 30% and as many as 50% of newly infected pregnant women give the virus to their babies. For moms who were infected long before delivery, the risk is much lower. Less than 1% of babies born to mothers with an older genital herpes infection get the virus. And if a woman has an outbreak at delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually done.
You may have heard that genital herpes causes cervical cancer. That’s not exactly true. It may be a factor, but it’s not the main cause.
Genital herpes is a lifelong condition for which there is no cure. Having it can force you to make inconvenient changes in your life, particularly in your sex life, and it can cause you a lot of pain and discomfort. You simply would rather not have it.
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Monday, November 10th, 2008
Herpes during pregnancy can be an especially scary and tense period for the expectant mum. She needs to decide on the course of treatment and whether to deliver by caesarian section or have natural birth. We cover the various aspects here and invite you read this and other literature and then discuss this with your midwife or obstetrician so that you make an informed decision.
The greatest concern is that of the baby getting herpes. Neonatal herpes can be very serious. Whilst half of infants will recover with intervention, the other half can by presented with serious illness or even death. We therefore need to understand the various risks and to put herpes infection into perspective.
The incidence of neonatal herpes is extremely rare when we consider that a quarter of pregnant women have a history of genital herpes. From the available statistics of births, only 0,00025% to 0,00075% of all infants born contract neonatal herpes. Of these neonates that contract herpes some 5 to 10 % of them contract it after birth. The incidence is therefore extremely low.
Neonatal herpes in mothers with longstanding herpes (herpes for at least 1-2 years before pregnancy) is very rare. This is explained by the fact the mother confers natural protection to the unborn child by passing her antibodies via the placenta to the child. Maternal antibodies pass onto the foetus by the first few weeks of the third trimester. Premature babies are at a slightly higher risk as they may not have got the complete “dose” of maternal antibodies by that time. There may also be asymptomatic shedding by the mother, that is the virus is shed without there being active disease. The fact that there is a lower transmission of antibodies and the asymptomatic shedding, the premature child is more susceptible to infection.
Neonatal transmission is highest in mothers who contract herpes in the last trimester. Although this is not common, it accounts for half of all neonatal herpes. The reason for this high level of transmission is because the mother has not developed sufficient antibodies to confer protection to the baby.
If there is a known history of infection or if you suspect infection, consult your doctor or midwife immediately.
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Have you experienced any of these symptoms? Do the symptoms go away after a week or more, and then return just when you thought you had gotten rid of them once and for all? If you have any of the following symptoms you may have genital herpes (HSV-2):
* Itching
* Burning
* Bumps
* Tingling in or around the genital area
* Blisters
* Sores
* Pain
* Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the groin
When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. These blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that can take between two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
Genital herpes outbreaks can sometimes be triggered by the following:
* Being run-down
* Suffering from other genital infections (affecting the local skin area)
* Menstruation Cycle
* Pregnancy
* Drinking a lot of alcohol
* Sun
* Stress and anxiety
* Fatigue
* Ultraviolet light
* Friction or damage to the skin, caused by, for example, sexual intercourse, may also lead to a recurrence
* Diet and certain foods
* Fever
* Temperature extremes
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Wednesday, October 22nd, 2008
Outbreaks of genital herpes during pregnancy have been associated with miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, and herpes infection causing severe brain injury and possible blindness in the baby. Still, women with herpes can give birth to healthy babies. If you have herpes and plan to have children, discuss your illness with your doctor.
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