Partner Travelling for Work - Zika Fears

carpediem55

Hi all! Not sure where to post this as I have no idea what I'm doing. Just wondering if anyone else out there is worried about Zika?

I personally wasn't, especially since living in CA it doesn't seem like we are affected much by it. 

However, my husband has to go to Mexico for work twice in November. I am a little apprehensive about it but he really has no choice, since he will be a speaker at a large conference and so on....

Saw my OB today for a check up and she told me he can't go. Since that's not an option, she said absolutely no sex for the rest of the pregnancy. Which I totally agree with. I don't want to chance it. I just feel really bad for my husband and am just nervous in general. 

herewegrow

Yikes. That's a terrible situation. My OB told us, about central Florida, that the chance of getting a bite, it being Zika, and it actually affecting the baby is soincredibly rare. She was fine with us going as long as we use spray and don't sit by water at Night. I didn't realize even if you contract the disease, the chances of it affecting baby is 1-3%. 

catem07

Couldn't you just use condoms after he comes back?

SnarkasaurusRex

catem07 said:

Couldn't you just use condoms after he comes back?

I also thought condoms were an option to prevent the sexual transmission of Zika. Is your OB just being super cautious by saying none what so ever?

M&Max

My husband travels pretty extensively to areas high for Zika normally.  He has asked not to travel to those areas during the duration of my pregnancy as a precaution but it's likely he'll need to go at some point.  Our OB suggested certain sprays are better than others for prevention of bites as well as certain clothing can certainly help in preventing bites as well.  She said we could go over specifics when it's closer to that time. It may be worth researching the CDC website for what they suggest in the form of prevention - best sprays, etc.  Our OB also said that we could have sex after he went but only if we used condoms.  I'm hoping he won't need to go but if he does, we will just take as many precautions as necessary. 

@carpediem55 hope you're able to find some helpful articles on the CDC's website on what he can do prevention wise. 

carpediem55

@SnarkasaurusRex @catem07
I asked about condoms, she said if we absolutely have to. But she strongly advises us to abstain. She said that there's just so much that is unknown and that the baby could possibly have neurological issues the rest of their life. She said it just isn't worth the risk. 

Is he directed me at the CDC and which I've already looked at.  It seems like we could have sex but with condoms. However, my dr has me a little freaked out by all the unknown stuff. 

Omie_Wise

There are ways to have sex that don't involve penetration with his penis! If you don't have a vibrator or dildo, that could be a fun thing to add to your playtime. He could also plan on wearing long sleeve shirts and pants while he is over there and, this might be overkill, get a mosquito net for his hotel bed. Just ideas! 

HGRich

I agree with @Omie_Wise. DH and I didn't have sex in the first tri because of a mutual decision. But we found plenty of other ways to have fun. Haha. I'm kinda with you about not even with condoms. I'd be worried too. If nothing else, some couples are not allowed sex the entire pregnancy on doctor's orders and they survive. Your DH would make it too. Worth it for baby IMO. 

shaunessa

My dad got back from Mexico and he thought he had Zika.  His stupid doc didn't want to test him, because he said the lab results would take a while, and by then his symptoms would have cleared.  They instead gave him a booster shot and some antibiotics.  If you're husband does go and come back with symptoms (rash, fever) definitely push for lab results!!!  In my dad's case, he's gotten fixed and my mom had a hysterectomy so it was no real threat for them.  But definitely protect yourself and your baby.  

lezdispenser

My wife travels to miami regularly for work. I have the same fears. Our doc says there is not a ton known about it yet but it's likely transmitted via sperm so we shouldn't worry. I still make her wear bug spray every time she goes and ask her to stay away from the known infested neighborhoods. That said, in your situation, couldn't you get him tested before you have sex next?

lmetters88

My hubs just came back from Florida and we arent going to strain our marriage by abstaining from sex due to fears of Zika. I don't believe all the hype -  https://www.google.com/amp/s/jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2016/01/31/busted-25000-cases-of-microcephaly-in-the-us-per-year/amp/?client=safari