My female friend found out she has hep b while pregnant. Does hep b affect pregnancy and she was told she cud give birth early at 28 weeks.
What effect does hep has on a pregnancy
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Hi @Chukwu,
Let your friend know that she is not alone and we empathize with her. Yes, she can pass the virus onto her unborn child during the birthing process. She will need to see a specialist to run further tests so they will know more about her condition. Based on the tests, they will consider treatment and also make sure HBV immunoglobulin and vaccine are present and given to the baby within 24 hours. This will help prevent the baby from getting infected. This is a very important step, if they miss this window it could be too late to stop the infection. Aside from being able to pass on the virus, HBV does not affect the pregnancy itself. I hope this is helpful and all the best to your friend. Bansah1
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Thanks basnsah. So it is not the hbv that is making the baby want to come out early, she was thinking maybe it is the hbv
Hi @Chukwu,
Interesting question. There has been a meta-study done on this question that shows there is a slightly increased chance of pre-term birth in people with Hepatitis B - (The effect of hepatitis B virus on the risk of pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies | Virology Journal | Full Text). It is very small increase that was only able to be measured looking at millions of pregnant mothers. The reason behind this is not clear.
Thomas
Hi,
I’m 30 year old pregnant women from INDIA ,when I’m first time pregnant in 2023 got to know I’m hepatitis B positive…then I came to know me and mom both got it from my elder sister, initially my viral load not detected but after 3 month when I did HBV virus load test it showed 8 load doctor said no need to use medicine it is very low
Now in my second pregnancy after year doctor ran HBV DNA quantitative analysis now the vairal load is 7417,my doctor suggested to take tenofovir AF 25 mg daily 1 pill, and continue it upto 3 months after delivery.
But I have seen in some articles that withdrawal of antibiotics will worsen the condition and multiply the virus and leads to yellowing of eyes and skin ,also some studies showing taking Tefonovir AF during breastfeeding cause some tatces of TAF in breastmilk with the TAF in breastmilk leads to bone issues in infants, also the medicine information paper inside the TAF medicine is also written that it is found in breastmilk and not approved for breastmilk safety
What can I do now 
should I start medicine and withdraw it after delivery ( it would be around 7 weeks) for my delivery,or should I continue this medicine to stop withdrawal effects of antivirals. If I continue to take medicine is it ok to breastfeed baby ?
The worst thing now is unable to bear the pregnancy hospital charges and DNA quantitative analysis tests ,it is also shown in articles that have to monitor the condition during and withdrawal of medicine,even the Tenofovir AF is costly
Doctor scheduled fibrosis test on June 24 th 2025
Hi @Harini,
Welcome to the community. My understanding is that pregnant women can safely use Tenofovir during the second trimester until delivery and then can stop after delivery. Other mothers here have been through this process, and hopefully, some can share their experiences. Stopping the treatment after birth is based on multiple studies and evidence to be safe with no issues. But if you want to continue after giving birth, please have that conversation with your doctor.
My understanding is also that the antiviral does not affect breastmilk, so mothers can continue breastfeeding their babies. There has been a discussion on this topic, but I cannot locate it.
Others will share their perspective on this matter as well. Thanks, Bansah1
Hi @banasah1
I’m fearing about the withdrawal symptoms if anything bad happens to me after withdrawal there is no one to take care of me and my baby also I’m having c-section ,I have seen in some articles that withdrawal of antivirals leads to yellowing of eyes and skin and multiply the virus
Sure, your concern is valid. Please have this conversation with your doctor and mention your concerns to them about stopping it after delivery and your wish to remain on treatment. It will be helpful to have this conversation and you should be able to that. Keep us posted when you have this conversation and what the outcome is.
Thanks, Bansah1
Today I had sgpt test and it is good only
I asked my doctor about withdrawal of Tenofovir AF after delivery he said to start before 6 weeks of delivery and stop after delivery… After 6 weeks come and have HBV DNA quantitative analysis to see what was the condition.
Is having test after 6 weeks of withdrawal is fine r I should take the tests before it , anyone who knows about this please reply
I’m continuously asking about this because we live in a city where only 3 gastroenterologist present that to 2 in super speciality hospital and one in normal hospital so , I’m fearing if there are more number of doctors we can go and have an appointment with best doctor,now don’t know how much knowledge does this doctors have as hepatitis is not that much in our area
I empathize with you for worrying about reactivation after stopping treatment. Continued monitoring after stopping treatment is a vital recommendation. Here is a link from the Hepatitis B Foundation on this matter: https://www.hepb.org/treatment-and-management/pregnancy-and-hbv/treatment-during-pregnancy/
This chart will also help explain things further, as used in a previous discussion on this platform:
High viral load during pregnancy - when to start medication
You can share this chart with your doctor during the discussion process. I understand this is worrying, but maybe you can concentrate on the treatment right now, then have this discussion of whether to stop or continue treatment after delivery. This way, you do not add any stress to your current condition. I hope this makes sense to you and it helps. Best, Bansah1.
Thanks for sharing knowledge thanks a lot ,you are right after delivery I can have that discussion of continuing or stopping thanks for your response
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Yes, this is correct as per my response in the other thread:
Thanks for response sir .
Could you please suggest ,after how much time after withdrawal I should monitor and go to test like HBV DNA quantitative analysis
Everyone with chronic hepatitis B should be monitored every 3-12 months, depending on their specific circumstance. There are times where this should be weekly or monthly depending on changes in medication or high risk of alterations.
As I am not a physician, do not have your medical history, and cannot physically examine you, I would have no chance of having the appropriate expertise or information to provide you with any specific advice. This would be something that you need to discuss with your health provider.
Thomas
My doctor said to come after 6 weeks after stopping medicine ,so I just want to know , should I go early to it or not
I’m
Hbsag+
Hesag-
HBV DNA quantitative analysis load is 7417
All other tests like LFT and SGOT are good I have also attaching my HBV DNA report
Thanks ,
Harini.
As mentioned @Harini, I cannot give medical advice. I would say if you have questions or are worried about it you should speak to your doctor who knows your medical history and current situation.
Thomas