2. b. Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Most women planning to have children in the future were concerned about
the implications of infection on their (potential) child. women
interviewed mentioned the association between genital HPV infection and
various maternal and fetal variables and pregnancy complications such as
miscarriage and premature delivery.
”I had a miscarriage last year. Was it from this virus? My Pap
smear was always normal. What if I get pregnant and have a miscarriage
again?” (P.4)
Women stated treatments like LEEP or conization might compromise their
ability to carry a child to term by weakening the lining of the cervix.
”My sister’s doctor removed abnormal cells from her cervix.After that, she became pregnant and her baby was born in the 35th
week.” (P.3)
Considering cesarean delivery for women with HPV was another matter
posed by the participants. Some of them mistakenly believed that having
genital warts was an indication of cesarean delivery to avoid perinatal
development of laryngeal papillomatosis in the newborn.
”My doctor said if I had warts, I’d have a cesarean section. Thank
god I did not have warts and I gave birth naturally.” (P.2)