Answer: Checking for genital lesions and symptoms of recurring herpes.
Explanation: Genital herpes can be passed on from a mother to her newborn through vertical transmission. This is usually due to the newborn's exposure to virus shed from lesions as it passes through the birth canal.
An effective plan, therefore is to ensure that there are no lesions on the mother’s genitals. Presence of lesions can inform the decision to deliver the baby through cesarean section. Also in recurring cases of herpes simplex virus, medication such as valacyclovir can be administered in the third trimester, starting from 36 weeks.