Hello! I am an adoptive mom to a daughter who has chronic Hepatitis B.
I was curious when I read in one of the previous comment: "A female carrier needs to be told that it might be advisable to avoid pregnancy, lest she infect her baby during the birth process, and to consider forming her family by adoption."
I had never heard that before as there is a
vaccine if given at birth that keeps the child from acquiring the disease in 90% - 95% of cases.
(
Immunization Action Coalition: "Ninety percent of perinatal infections can be prevented by postexposure prophylaxis given within 12 hours of birth."
Unprotected Babies: Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth Saves Lives!)
(
Hepatitis B Foundation: "If a pregnant woman tests positive for hepatitis B, her newborn child must be given two shots in the delivery room - the first dose of
hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG). If these two medications are given correctly within the first 12 hours of life, a newborn has a 95% chance of being protected against a lifelong hepatitis B infection."
http://www.hepb.org/pdf/pregnancy.pdf)
At
Maryland Department of Health's website:
"
Pregnant women who are hepatitis B carriers should tell their doctor about their infection. It will be important to give the new baby shots soon after it is born to protect it from getting hepatitis B. It is okay to breastfeed if the baby is getting shots to protect it from hepatitis B."
(
Hepatitis B Carrier Fact Sheet)
And at the
Centers for Disease Control:
"
Hepatitis B shots protect you from HBV --3 shots are needed for complete protection.
Your children should start hepatitis B shots as soon as they are born.
If you have HBV in your blood, your child will need a shot called HBIG along with the first hepatitis B shot within 12 hours of birth."
(
Protect Your Baby With Hepatitis B Shots)
If I have missed a particular instance in which a chronic carrier would be asked not to reproduce, I would appreciate knowing that information.