Can Women Have Babies With the HPV Virus?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the virus most commonly known for causing genital warts and some types of cancer. Because HPV is so alarmingly common and spreads easily between adult partners, many expectant mothers are concerned that their newborns may contract the virus during delivery.

Potential Mechanisms

• During vaginal delivery, a baby's mouth, eyes and genitals brush against the mother's vaginal tissue. Some vaginal infections, such as gonorrhea, genital herpes and candida (yeast) may be transmitted to the baby this way.

Likelihood of Transmission

• Fortunately, HPV is not nearly as contagious from mother to baby as most other types of vaginal infection. Only about 4 in 10,000 births will result in HPV transmission during delivery.

Complications

• When a baby does contract HPV, he will usually show no symptoms and be clear of the virus within months. Rarely, a newborn may develop warts in his throat, and this must be treated with laser surgery.

Prevention

• Most doctors do not recommend surgical delivery to prevent HPV transmission to a newborn. The risks of a C-section outweigh the potential benefits, since newborn infection is so rare.

Other Considerations

• A mother with a very severe outbreak of genital warts may require a C-section or other interventions to prevent vaginal trauma. Large warts can lead to painful delivery and recovery.