L&D RN w/ Herpes - Embarrassed

Specialties Ob/Gyn

Published

I hate the stigma attached to HSV :( I contracted HSV2 about 8 years ago from an ex. I had the intial major outbreak and that has been it, thankfully. I have been in nursing for 9 years but just landed my dream job as an L&D nurse. Hubby and I plan to start having littles next year so my anxieties are already full blown thinking about my coworkers learning I have "the herp". Of course I am worried about my baby's health as well but I will be on Valtrex 3rd trimester and already had my intial outbreak which "helps". And this is all God willing I get pregnant.. :)

Is anyone else in my shoes and have any advice??! It will be very costly to deliver somewhere else. I will be discussing this further with my new OB doc who delivers where I work but I'm probably **** outta luck unless I go elsewhere because it will obviously be in my chart.

Thanks you in advance for any support, advice, etc.

I was in your exact situation a year and a half ago. I have had this diagnosis for about 6-7 years, very rarely have outbreaks and when I do it is extremely mild. I often forget I even have It. I work in L&D and hear negative comments about this anytime a patient has HSV. While it annoys me, I just don't let it get to me anymore because I know they are just ignorant. When I had my child, I decided to go ahead and deliver at my facility. My best friend came in to be my delivery nurse so that was extremely helpful. Other than that, I just didn't say anything. If someone saw it in my chart, then oh Well. No one has ever said anything about it and I've not heard of any comments that have been made about It. I did make up my mind that if I caught wind of anyone talking about it, who didn't directly take care of me, then I would be turning their asses in for a HIPPA violation. Luckily, e everything was fine, and it wasn't a big deal. I understand your dilemma though!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in correctional, med/surg, postpartum, L&D,.
Oh, honey. It is NOT a big deal! We see it all the time and don't think anything of it. We will judge you if you have been taking meth or smoking crack through your pregnancy. NOT because you have a history of HSV.

^^^^This

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment