Yes, women with a history of herpes can start a family provided proper treatment has been given. If she had genital herpes before getting pregnant or if infected early in pregnancy, the chance of the baby being infected is very low. Neonatal herpes is a very rare but serious viral infection and most cases occur as a result of direct contact with infected maternal secretions.
For women with recurrent genital herpes, the risk of neonatal herpes is low, even if lesions are present at the time of delivery (0–3% for vaginal delivery). On the other hand, caesarean section is usually recommended for all women who develop first episode of genital herpes in the third trimester, particular in those who develop symptoms within 6 weeks of delivery as the risk of spread to the baby is very high at 41%.
