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)