Final answer:
The risk of herpes transmission to the baby is highest when the mother first contracts herpes during pregnancy. Antiviral medications and possibly a cesarean delivery are employed to reduce this risk. The timing of the mother's infection and active measures taken to prevent neonatal herpes are crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relationship Between Timing of Herpes Infection in Pregnancy and Neonatal Risk
The risk of transmission of herpes from a mother to her baby is most serious when the mother contracts herpes for the first time during pregnancy. Infections can occur before birth by crossing the placenta, causing fetal development complications, or neonatal herpes during childbirth from exposure to pathogens in the birth canal. To minimize risks, preventative measures such as systemic acyclovir treatment for newborns, maternal antiviral medication in the last month of pregnancy, and possible cesarean delivery if an outbreak occurs near childbirth are utilized.
Risks and Preventative Strategies
The timing of exposure and use of antiviral medications are critical. If a pregnant woman with genital herpes is close to giving birth, the prescription of antivirals can reduce the risk of an outbreak, hence decreasing the risk of transmission. A cesarean delivery may be recommended to avoid infecting the baby during a vaginal delivery. Addressing these factors can reduce the transmission rate significantly, safeguarding neonatal health.