HPV and Pregnancy: What It Means for You and Your Baby

Finding out you have HPV while pregnant, or while hoping to be, is a common worry. For most people the news is much calmer than the first search results suggest. Here is what the main health sources say.

Can you be pregnant and have HPV?

Yes, people can be pregnant and have HPV. It is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems from it, according to the CDC.

The CDC fact sheet on HPV in pregnancy mentions two things that can happen: genital warts, and abnormal cell changes on the cervix.

One related point from the CDC’s clinical overview: treatment for cervical cancers and precancers may sometimes limit a person’s ability to have children. That is a reason to keep up with screening, so that any changes are found early.

Will HPV affect my pregnancy?

For most people, HPV causes no problems at all. The things to watch for are:

• Genital warts. The NHS says warts are not usually harmful during pregnancy, but they may multiply, get bigger and become more easily irritated. The CDC says they can proliferate and become friable (fragile and likely to bleed) during pregnancy.
• Cervical cell changes. These are found through routine screening, not symptoms.

You may be referred to a specialist if you have genital warts and are pregnant, the NHS says.

Should I still have a Pap test or HPV test in pregnancy?

Yes, if you are due. The CDC says you should get routine cervical cancer screening even when you are pregnant, because it can find abnormal cell changes. MedlinePlus advises telling your provider if you might be pregnant before a Pap test.

An unclear Pap result isn’t always about HPV. The CDC lists pregnancy as one of the life changes that can be behind it. See our guide to an abnormal Pap smear with a negative HPV test for what the results can mean.

Can genital warts be treated during pregnancy?

Often treatment is delayed. The NHS says most creams, liquids and ointments used for warts are not recommended in pregnancy, and that warts often disappear on their own within six weeks after the baby is born, so treatment is frequently delayed until after the birth.

The CDC says removal during pregnancy can be considered, though the warts may not clear fully until the pregnancy is over. Tell your clinician you are pregnant before using any wart treatment, and don’t use products meant for other kinds of warts on the genital area. The NHS advises against pharmacy wart treatments for genital warts.

Can HPV be passed to my baby?

It can, but it is rare. The NHS page on genital warts says the virus can be passed to a baby during birth, and that it can cause infection in the baby’s throat or genitals.

The CDC describes one rare outcome: the wart-causing types, HPV 6 and 11, can cause warts on the larynx (voice box) in infants and children, called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. It says how the virus is transmitted in this case isn’t fully understood, and that people who are pregnant with genital warts should be counseled about the low risk.

Will I need a C-section?

Usually no. The CDC says a cesarean should not be performed solely to prevent HPV passing to the newborn. A C-section is indicated if warts are blocking the birth canal or if a vaginal delivery would cause excessive bleeding.

What about the HPV vaccine?

The CDC says HPV vaccines are not approved or recommended during pregnancy. But some people get a dose before they know they are pregnant. The CDC says close monitoring of those pregnancies has not found any health concerns, and that if you receive the vaccine and later learn you’re pregnant, there is no reason to be alarmed.

If you find out you’re pregnant while you’re partway through a three-dose series, the remaining doses should be delayed until after pregnancy. For the wider picture, see our guide to the HPV vaccine, side effects and doses.

What should I do now?

Tell your prenatal team that you have HPV or warts, keep your screening up to date, and ask what, if anything, should change in your care. Most pregnancies with HPV go on without problems.