Information if you are pregnant and have a positive result for hepatitis B
What your blood test result means
Your screening blood test shows that you have had the hepatitis B virus at some point and still carry it in your body.
It is unlikely that the virus will pass to your baby during pregnancy. However, there is a high chance it could pass to your baby during the birth.
What is hepatitis B?
Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. Many people who have hepatitis B feel well and do not know they have it until they have a blood test that shows it.
Some people never get rid of the virus, even though they seem well. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass the virus to others.
Hepatitis B is not passed on through everyday contact
You cannot pass hepatitis B to other people through everyday social contact. This includes shopping, spending time with friends and family, eating meals together, sharing towels or toilets, using the same cutlery, or kissing.
How can hepatitis B be passed on?
Hepatitis B can be passed on in the following ways:
- From a mother who has hepatitis B, passing the infection on to her baby when giving birth.
- Having sex without a condom with someone who has the infection. Using a condom (on the penis or an internal condom in the vagina) greatly reduces the risk of passing on hepatitis B.
- Tattoos and piercings done with unsterile equipment. Hepatitis B can be passed on if equipment is used more than once or not properly sterilised.
- Sharing needles or injecting equipment. Sharing or re‑using needles to inject drugs increases the risk of spreading hepatitis B because the virus is carried in a person’s blood.
- Being injured by a used needle or sharp item that has blood on it (sometimes called a ‘needle stick injury’).
What will happen next?
We will take another blood sample to confirm your result. It is very unlikely that this result will change.
At the same time, we will do another blood test, to give us more information about any care or treatment that may be recommended for you and your baby.
Your results will be checked by the appropriate specialists before your appointment, so that we can plan the best care for you.
The specialist team will:
- advise you on how to protect your baby from the infection, and
- check whether you need to be offered any treatment.
Hepatitis B can affect the liver, and some people need treatment to reduce the risk of liver damage.
How will my baby be protected?
Your baby can have a safe and effective course of vaccinations that protects them from hepatitis B and greatly reduces the risk of liver damage in the future.
If your blood test result shows that the virus is highly infectious, your baby will also be offered another injection at the same time for extra protection.
If your baby does not receive treatment, there is a 90% (9 in 10) chance that they will catch the virus, carry it for life, and be at risk of developing serious liver damage in later life.
All babies are offered hepatitis B protection as part of the routine infant vaccinations. Babies whose mothers are hepatitis B positive will be recommended six vaccinations at the following stages to get the best protection.
Vaccination:
- Within 24 hours of birth.
- At 1 month old
- At 2,3 and 4 months old (as part of the routine infant vaccinations).
- At 18 months old.
It is very important that your baby has the full course of the vaccinations. After the last vaccination, your baby will have a blood test to make sure they do not have hepatitis B.
How can I stay healthy with hepatitis B?
These simple steps can help:
● Do not drink alcohol it can damage your liver.
● Tell your doctor you have hepatitis B and ask about any tests or treatment that might help.
● Check with your doctor before you take any medicine, including herbal medicines or medicines that can be bought without a prescription.
● Avoid injecting drugs. Injecting drugs can lead to other infections (hepatitis C and D) which can also damage your liver. If you need help to stop, contact a drug-treatment centre.
Who should know that I have hepatitis B?
To make sure you and your baby have the safest and most appropriate care, your midwife may need to share information with other specialists involved in your care, such as:
- the hepatitis B specialist team,
- the obstetrician (hospital doctor who cares for pregnant women), and
- the paediatrician (a doctor who cares for babies and children).
These specialists work with you to plan your care and keep you and your baby safe. Sharing information in this way is a normal part of NHS care.
Your midwife will explain what information needs to be shared and why. You can choose whether you want your GP to know about your hepatitis B diagnosis.
Your personal information is always kept confidential and is only shared with healthcare staff directly involved in your care.
Talking to your partner
You may want to ask your specialist team for advice on how to explain your test result to your partner.
If your partner does not know whether they have hepatitis B:
- use condoms to reduce the chance of passing hepatitis B to them, and
- encourage them to get tested at their GP surgery or sexual health clinic.
Where can I get more information?
You can get more information from:
- the hospital midwife who specialises in antenatal screening
- the obstetrician