What You Need to Know
You can have a healthy pregnancy and baby with hepatitis C. Your healthcare team is here to support you.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects your liver.
(Hepatitis = liver inflammation)
Many people with hepatitis C feel completely healthy during pregnancy. The virus doesn't usually make pregnancy symptoms worse.
of pregnant people in the United States have hepatitis C
You're not alone. Your medical team has experience caring for pregnancies with hepatitis C.
Most people with hepatitis C have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.
There is a small chance the virus can pass to your baby during pregnancy or delivery.
~6%
94 out of 100 babies will NOT get hepatitis C
There is no way to prevent transmission during pregnancy, but the risk is low.
| Factor | Impact on Risk |
|---|---|
| High viral load | Higher transmission risk |
| HIV coinfection | Increases risk to ~11% |
| Delivery method | No clear difference |
Your provider will monitor your viral load with blood tests.
Hepatitis C medications are not used during pregnancy. They could harm the developing baby.
Good news: Highly effective, well-tolerated treatments are available after delivery. Cure rates exceed 95%.
Yes. Breastfeeding is safe and recommended.
Source: ACOG Committee Opinion #669
Your baby will need blood tests to check for hepatitis C.
First test: 2-6 months after birth
May need follow-up testing at 18 months
Your antibodies pass to baby, which can cause false positive results early on.
Your pediatrician will guide you through the testing schedule.
Your healthcare team will monitor you with:
You are not going through this alone. Your team includes:
Ask questions at any time. We're here to support you and your baby.
With proper care and monitoring, you can expect excellent outcomes for both you and your baby.
This presentation is based on guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).