C-Section and Cold Sore

nycmomma

I am scheduled for a c-section this Wednesday and just woke up with a massive cold sore. I plan on calling the doctor office once they open, but was curious if anyone knew anything about this. Are there any risks?

Ekstasis

That?s a good question. Being that most cold sores are a type 1 and contagious they may tell you not to kiss your LO until it?s cleared up. As long as your not showing a fever ETC you should be fine.

NManger

I would just call your MD. My sister gets the worst cold sores and she had one when she delivered last baby c-section. In the hospital afterthe baby was born they gave her some topical meds so not to spread to baby...but maybe they can prescribe before then and get it out of the way.

NewYear2004

My friend got multiple cold sores right after her c-section and she was told not to kiss the baby until they cleared up.  She was given an oral anti-viral in the hospital.

Kimberly74

I wouldn't worry about it at all.  I would call you OB and see if they will give you a script for an anti-viral now, so that your body has a chance to fight it before going through the c-section. 

cjseeger

I'm sorry to hear this. I had a cold sore last week, fortunately it was on the edge of my nose and not on my lip. I was so scared I would go into labor and not be able to kiss my baby. I would start working on getting that thing dried up, vitamin C, Lysine, and I use something called Camphor Spirits, it's not for cold sores but works great! It is mostly alcohol so it dries it up very fast. Good Luck!

LeelaH

When I went in for my induction with my daughter (ended up having a c-section), I had a very visible cold sore that went from my lip all the way up to my nose.  No one ever said a word about it and with everything going on I never asked.  There probably aren't any risks.

 

DarcyLongfellow

I may post a separate PSA above, but I just wanted to say that cold sores ARE a big deal for a newborn!!!

I read an article recently about a woman whose baby died because of one.  Now, obviously that's a VERY rare occurence, but I would most definitely alert your doctor.

Apparently, if you've gotten them during your pregnancy, your baby has already been exposed to the virus and will be fine.  But, if your baby is exposed to it for the first time when a newborn, there is (at least a slim) chance that it will turn into something bad.

Thankfully, cold sores are fairly easy to treat.  Just tell your doctor, they'll probably either put you on an antiviral or give you a topical treatment.  Then you'll probably need to be extra careful about not transferring it to the baby (no kissing, no touching your face, etc.)