performing an amniocentesis procedure to test the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. The procedure is safe but many doctors opt to only perform it once or twice during pregnancy.
Additionally, there is a small risk that you could pass the virus to your baby during childbirth so you can expect your doctor to discuss scheduling a Caesarean section with you. Of course, not all doctors agree on that but it might be helpful to talk to your doctor about your safest options.
READ: Ways To Relieve Common Hepatitis C Pains
What Happens After Childbirth
Once your child is born, the way forward will depend on whether or not the amniocentesis tests were positive. In that case, you’ll both be treated with DDAs for the recommended period.
Then you and the baby will be monitored to ensure that the virus has left your systems and there has been no significant damage to your liver. If your baby’s results were negative during the pregnancy, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the coast is clear.
In fact, doctors recommend testing for up to 2 years to ensure that the virus doesn’t emerge. A positive result will be handled with the right protocol of DDAs.
In many cases, Hepatitis C is easily treated but pregnancy can make things a little more complicated.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. With the right monitoring regimen, your condition will be kept under control until you give birth.
The best thing you can do is to work closely with your doctor to ensure that you and your baby remain healthy during the pregnancy as well as after.