During pregnancy genital warts can pose a big problem. There is a possibility that genital wart of a pregnant mother may pass on to her child during delivery. Treatment of genital warts for an expectant mother is different to other women.

During pregnancy genital warts grow larger. Immune system in a pregnant mother remain suppressed, making them vulnerable to viruses and infections

Genital warts are caused by HPV. But it is seen that majority of pregnant women with past history of HPV and genital warts have healthy childbirth. However, HPV may be transmitted both before and during delivery. Normal vaginal delivery may be affected by genital warts.

A word of caution, pregnant mothers should never use over the counter treatment without doctor’s advice. Salicylic acid which is a constituent of most of the over the counter product, is dangerous to the unborn child. Pregnant women should not use Podofilox, since it is absorbed through skin and may cause birth defects.

Although not curable, genital warts may not pose a threat to a child’s health during pregnancy.
But an infected pregnant woman may pass on the disease to their child.

In many cases , cesarean section is resorted to facilitate delivery for infected pregnant women. The reason being the vaginal passage may be blocked by large genital wart or the wart may bleed during baby’s passage through the birth canal.

The baby born if infected with HPV may develop genital warts in the throat or on genitals and may have breathing problems. Laser surgery may be needed in all such cases. Genital wart symptoms may remain dormant up to three years after birth.