Genital warts are indications of an HPV infection. HPV refers to the human papilloma virus, the most common sexually transmitted virus these days. Aside from those who are sexually active and those who engage in very risky sexual behaviors, pregnant women are also highly susceptible to genital warts. Moreover, women who have signs and symptoms of genital warts prior to pregnancy are more likely to develop the infection during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

The manifestation of genital warts may be very alarming for a pregnant woman. Once symptoms start to appear, they can get worse as the pregnancy progresses primarily because the immune system of a woman is suppressed during that period. Pregnancy then makes a woman not only vulnerable to infection as it makes her at risk of developing extensive and wide-spread warts.

Points of concern

Most of the time, pregnant women who have been contaminated with HPV will still have normal and healthy pregnancies and childbirths. However, genital warts still remain to be a major concern primarily because it may cause complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Though there are no major effects of the infection to fetal development, the baby is highly at risk for contracting the genital warts during delivery.

When a mother is infected with genital warts during pregnancy, the unborn baby is highly at risk for contracting laryngeal papillomatosis. Laryngeal papillomatosis is a fatal disease. When infected with laryngeal papillomatosis, the baby will develop warts in his mouth and throat. Symptoms may not appear right away so early medication cannot be provided.

Usually, this disease is contracted when virus is transmitted while the baby passes through the birth canal that's contaminated with HPV. If the baby becomes infected, the virus will reside and breed rapidly in the mouth and throat.

To cure laryngeal papillomatosis, the baby may have to undergo laser surgery. The surgery works by burning the wart tissues. In order to prevent breathing difficulties, the procedure will be made in several sessions with regular intervals. In addition to the laser treatment, interferon therapy may also be recommended so as to slow down the spread of the infection.

Aside from the possible infection, the presence of genital warts may bring about difficulties during childbirth. If genital warts develop along the birth canal, they may become so large that they can get in the way of delivering the baby. As a result, most women who have genital warts rarely make a vaginal birth. In addition, the genital warts in the vaginal area can cause hemorrhage as the baby is being delivered. If bleeding transpires during vaginal birth, the physician may call for a caesarean section.

Treatment for genital warts during pregnancy

If you have genital warts during pregnancy, you should immediately consult your physician for medications or surgical procedures. Keep in mind that the treatment options for pregnant women are quite different from that of other women.

When the patient is pregnant, over the counter medications that are acid based should be avoided. Prescription medications that contain podofilox should also be avoided. In addition to the medications, the health care provider will provide a treatment plan composed of remedies that relieve the pain and itchiness of the infected areas.