Q: Is herpes during pregnancy a problem for my baby?

A: Mothers with recurrent genital herpes, herpes that they had before pregnancy, are less likely to transmit herpes to their babies during delivery. Even women who acquire genital herpes during the first two trimesters of pregnancy are usually able to supply antibody to help protect the fetus. The biggest risk to the baby is when a woman gets infected with herpes for the very first time just shortly before birth.