Hep B
Pre-pregnancy Questions about hepatitis B for all women, regardless of pregnancy status
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause people to become jaundiced, as it affects the liver. It can cause people to feel generally unwell and includes many symptoms including tiredness, appetite loss and stomach upsets such as pains and vomiting. Hepatitis B is contracted through contact with bodily fluid such as blood or sex without a condom. Chronic Hepatitis B is a positive test for longer than 6 months.
How is Hep B tested for?
A blood test will be performed to find out if HbsAg is present. HbsAg is the surface antigen of hepatitis B and indicates an active case of hepatitis B virus.
Why am i being tested for Hep b?
As hepatitis B symptoms can sometimes mimic mild flu like symptoms, it is important to get tested as you may have the disease and not know. It is also common practice for all pregnant women to be routinely tested for hepatitis B in the antenatal period.
What DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY FAMILY?
If you receive a positive result, it is advised to get your partner, children and any other members of your household also tested. They will also be offered the vaccination if they have not already received one
What is Hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause people to become jaundiced, as it affects the liver. It can cause people to feel generally unwell and includes many symptoms including tiredness, appetite loss and stomach upsets such as pains and vomiting. Hepatitis B is contracted through contact with bodily fluid such as blood or sex without a condom. Chronic Hepatitis B is a positive test for longer than 6 months.
How is Hep B tested for?
A blood test will be performed to find out if HbsAg is present. HbsAg is the surface antigen of hepatitis B and indicates an active case of hepatitis B virus.
Why am i being tested for Hep b?
As hepatitis B symptoms can sometimes mimic mild flu like symptoms, it is important to get tested as you may have the disease and not know. It is also common practice for all pregnant women to be routinely tested for hepatitis B in the antenatal period.
What DOES THIS MEAN FOR MY FAMILY?
If you receive a positive result, it is advised to get your partner, children and any other members of your household also tested. They will also be offered the vaccination if they have not already received one
Antenatal: Questions about hepatitis B for all expecting mothers
What happens if i am positive for hep b but inactive and not chronic ?
If you are positive for hepatitis B but it is not active or chronic, antiviral treatment can be postponed until the postpartum period and will be monitored every 3 months during pregnancy
What happens if i am positive for active or chronic hep b?
IF you have an active or high viral load, you may be referred to an obstetrician and closely monitored. you may also require further testing such as the HBV DNA level and/ or a liver function test. Treatment of tenofovir may also be recommended to be commenced at 28-32 weeks
How will this affect my model of care/ care providers?
A positive hepatitis B result should not alter the model of care you can choose. You can still have a midwifery led model of care but may be referred to health care professionals skilled in managing hepatitis B for some follow up car
How will this impact my pregnancy journey?
You will receive counselling about the risk of transmission for other prenatal tests that can be carried out (e.g. amniocentesis). Some of these tests may be best avoided for hepatitis B positive pregnancies, as they pose a high transmission risk from mother to baby. You may also receive a liver function assessment . If you have a high viral load in your third trimester, you will also be offered an antiviral therapy called tenofovir to reduce the risk of transmission
What happens if i am positive for hep b but inactive and not chronic ?
If you are positive for hepatitis B but it is not active or chronic, antiviral treatment can be postponed until the postpartum period and will be monitored every 3 months during pregnancy
What happens if i am positive for active or chronic hep b?
IF you have an active or high viral load, you may be referred to an obstetrician and closely monitored. you may also require further testing such as the HBV DNA level and/ or a liver function test. Treatment of tenofovir may also be recommended to be commenced at 28-32 weeks
How will this affect my model of care/ care providers?
A positive hepatitis B result should not alter the model of care you can choose. You can still have a midwifery led model of care but may be referred to health care professionals skilled in managing hepatitis B for some follow up car
How will this impact my pregnancy journey?
You will receive counselling about the risk of transmission for other prenatal tests that can be carried out (e.g. amniocentesis). Some of these tests may be best avoided for hepatitis B positive pregnancies, as they pose a high transmission risk from mother to baby. You may also receive a liver function assessment . If you have a high viral load in your third trimester, you will also be offered an antiviral therapy called tenofovir to reduce the risk of transmission
Labour & birth: Questions about hepatitis B for all expecting mothers in regards to labour and birth
What does a positive result for me, mean for my baby?
If you are positive for hep B and have a high viral load, you may be given antiviral therapy to reduce this prior to the birth of your baby, to reduce the possibility of you transmitting the virus to your baby. All babies are offered the birth-dose of Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth in order to protect them until their 2 month immunisations. This will be no different for your baby.
Will my labour and birth journey be any different?
If you receive a positive result, your choices surrounding your birth are no different than if you were negative to hepatitis b, the latest evidence suggests that either mode of delivery whether it be vaginal or cesarean is safe and does not increase transmission risks from mother to baby.
How can i protect my baby?
The only way to protect your baby from catching the hepatitis B virus infection is to have them vaccinated soon after birth. It is important to have your baby immunised within 24 hours of birth because newborns are extremely vulnerable to getting infections. Your baby would then need to receive follow up doses at two, four and six months of age according to the Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Do i still need to immunise my baby if i tested negative for hepatitis B?
Even if you have tested negative to Hepatitis B, newborns can catch the infection from close contact with family members, infected blood through small cuts or abrasions on the skin, or infected equipment like needles, toothbrushes or toys.
Are there any side effects if my baby receives the vaccination?
Side effects are uncommon but if they do occur, they usually subside quickly. The most common side effects are irritability, slight fever and reduced appetite. The hepatitis B vaccination is NOT a live vaccine and therefore poses no risk of causing infection to your baby.
Here are some short facts that may support your decisions!
The hepatitis B vaccination or any vaccination will NOT cause autism.
Hepatitis B is the most common blood-borne virus in Australia
vaccines used in Australia are produced using yeast cells and do not contain any ingredients from humans
vaccines used in Australia do not contain the mercury preservative thiomersal
Babies immune systems are mature enough to respond to as many as ten different immunisations at once.
Your baby will not receive any form of vaccination without your consent
What does a positive result for me, mean for my baby?
If you are positive for hep B and have a high viral load, you may be given antiviral therapy to reduce this prior to the birth of your baby, to reduce the possibility of you transmitting the virus to your baby. All babies are offered the birth-dose of Hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth in order to protect them until their 2 month immunisations. This will be no different for your baby.
Will my labour and birth journey be any different?
If you receive a positive result, your choices surrounding your birth are no different than if you were negative to hepatitis b, the latest evidence suggests that either mode of delivery whether it be vaginal or cesarean is safe and does not increase transmission risks from mother to baby.
How can i protect my baby?
The only way to protect your baby from catching the hepatitis B virus infection is to have them vaccinated soon after birth. It is important to have your baby immunised within 24 hours of birth because newborns are extremely vulnerable to getting infections. Your baby would then need to receive follow up doses at two, four and six months of age according to the Australian National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Do i still need to immunise my baby if i tested negative for hepatitis B?
Even if you have tested negative to Hepatitis B, newborns can catch the infection from close contact with family members, infected blood through small cuts or abrasions on the skin, or infected equipment like needles, toothbrushes or toys.
Are there any side effects if my baby receives the vaccination?
Side effects are uncommon but if they do occur, they usually subside quickly. The most common side effects are irritability, slight fever and reduced appetite. The hepatitis B vaccination is NOT a live vaccine and therefore poses no risk of causing infection to your baby.
Here are some short facts that may support your decisions!
The hepatitis B vaccination or any vaccination will NOT cause autism.
Hepatitis B is the most common blood-borne virus in Australia
vaccines used in Australia are produced using yeast cells and do not contain any ingredients from humans
vaccines used in Australia do not contain the mercury preservative thiomersal
Babies immune systems are mature enough to respond to as many as ten different immunisations at once.
Your baby will not receive any form of vaccination without your consent