Pregnancy after CMV

When something unexpected happens in a pregnancy - illness, prematurity, loss – it can create uncertainty, self-doubt, and myriad of questions. You may struggle with guilt, grief, or fear from your previous pregnancy, and all of that is perfectly normal. Together with Stop CMV, you can learn more about the risks (including how slim they truly are!), learn prevention methods to help keep yourself and your baby safe, and meet other parents who have been through the experience themselves and have beautiful, healthy younger siblings of their CMV-affected child.

Will my next child be born with congenital CMV?

Very likely, no. Having one child with congenital CMV does NOT make you more prone to having another. There is no increase in risk for having another child born with congenital CMV. Nearly all women who have one baby with congenital CMV will be protected from future CMV infections because they have developed immunity. But rushing into another pregnancy before your primary CMV infection is resolved may increase your risk for CMV transmission to your next baby. Read on for more information about how you can proceed with confidence and certainty as you prepare to conceive again.

The worst might be behind you. There are two different types of CMV infection: primary and recurrent. Primary infection can cause more serious problems in pregnancy than recurrent infection can. It is possible for your previous CMV infection to become active like a new infection again, which would be considered a recurrent infection. However, in healthy pregnant women, recurrence does not pose the same risk for serious disease in the newborn as a primary or first-time CMV infection. Babies contracting CMV as the result of a recurrent infection are much less likely to suffer the severe effects associated with a primary infection. If you have already been exposed to CMV, your body has antibodies against CMV which, along with other immune factors, appears to protect the baby from serious illness due to CMV infection.

Are there any tests I should be having done?

Women who have experienced a CMV infection during pregnancy, a fetal loss due to CMV, or a newborn with congenital CMV should discuss these factors with their doctor, who may recommend CMV IgM and IgG antibody labs to be drawn. Most experts recommend that women wait until their CMV IgM antibody levels decline to an undetectable level and their CMV IgG avidity index climbs to a high favorable percentage. This would indicate that the primary infection has resolved itself and that there is minimal risk of CMV transmission to the new baby. It may take 6 to 12 months for these CMV antibody and avidity tests to be favorable and for you to be ready to conceive again, but be patient. The peace of mind is worth the time and trouble and you will be better ensuring a healthy start for you and your new baby.

Should there be any additional screening for the baby? After birth?

If you are not already pregnant, before you conceive you can request a DNA PCR test to see if you still have an active CMV infection. If you are already pregnant, don't sweat the labs--doctors usually recommend against regular CMV testing during pregnancy, even for women who have already experienced a CMV pregnancy. You can ask to be followed by a perinatologist that specializes in high-risk pregnancies and be sure to get regular ultrasounds that carefully review CMV problem areas, such as brain, kidneys, echogenic bowel, etc. If something looks suspicious in an ultrasound, your doctor will probably order additional lab testing to rule out any further concerns. And even if your pregnancy and delivery goes smoothly and your baby looks and seems just fine, you can still have your baby tested for CMV after birth--peace of mind goes a long way!

Can I talk to other moms who have been through a pregnancy after CMV?

Yes, and you should. While most experts agree that the risk of delivering a second child with congenital CMV is minimal, many parents of children with congenital CMV can’t help but be nervous, even terrified to have another child. Even the most calm and confident of parents usually will have misgivings and concerns about experiencing congenital CMV in subsequent pregnancies. Let us assure you that countless mothers have gone on to have 1, 2, 3, and even more “healthy” children after having a child born with congenital CMV. To meet other women who have walked this road before, visit the Stop CMV Fanpage.