HPV16 Positive during Pregnancy

Oh don't worry too much, mama, this is actually more common than you think, and from what I've heard, HPV16 positive during pregnancy is usually monitored rather than treated straightaway because the virus itself rarely affects the baby directly. My friend who delivered at KKH last year had a similar situation and her gynae explained that transmission to the baby during birth is genuinely very low, and even in the rare cases where babies do pick it up, their immune systems typically clear the virus on their own. What doctors here tend to do is keep a closer eye on the cervix throughout the pregnancy and schedule a follow-up colposcopy or repeat pap after delivery, so the "no medication" approach your doc took is honestly pretty standard, not negligence, just the normal protocol. That said, I won't sugarcoat it, the waiting and not knowing is stressful, and I think it's completely fair to go back to your gynae and ask specifically what the monitoring plan looks like for the rest of your pregnancy so you're not left anxious at every appointment. Definitely worth having that direct conversation with your specialist rather than sitting with the worry quietly.

Hi mum, I also heard of mums who found out they are HPV positive during pregnancy and it can be quite scary at first. From what I understand, HPV (even type 16) usually does not directly affect the baby during pregnancy, which is why doctors often don’t give medication immediately and just monitor instead. Most of the time they will just follow up after delivery because the immune system can sometimes clear or reduce the virus over time. But since HPV16 is a higher risk type, I think it’s important to follow your gynae’s screening plan closely and ask them what follow-up tests you need so you feel more reassured.