Hepatitis B in pregnancy: information for mothers and their families.
In early pregnancy, you should be tested for HEPATITIS B.
If you test negative (HBsAg-)
If you test positive (HBsAg+)
You should receive additional testing to determine if you require treatment during pregnancy. If treatment is required to reduce the risk of transmitting hepatitis B to your baby, you will need to take it from the second trimester until at least delivery or completion of your baby’s hepatitis B vaccination series.
If further testing (viral load) is not available, you should be offered antiviral medication from the second trimester until at least delivery or completion of your baby’s hepatitis B vaccination series.
Your immediate family and sexual partners should be tested. If they are not immune, they can be vaccinated. If they have hepatitis B, they too can get care.
Your baby should receive the hepatitis B vaccination series.
Hepatitis B infant vaccination series
At birth: Your baby should get a hepatitis B birth dose within 24 hours of birth. The birth dose should be a vaccine that only has hepatitis B in it (not a pentavalent vaccine).
1-2 Months: Your baby receives the second dose of hepatitis B vaccine. The second and later doses of hepatitis B may be part of a combined vaccine (ex: pentavalent vaccine).
6 Months: Your baby receives the third dose of hepatitis B vaccine. The second and later doses of hepatitis B may be part of a combined vaccine (ex: pentavalent vaccine).
When your baby is nine to 12 months old, your healthcare provider may advise a blood test to check if they are protected against hepatitis B. The tests are hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B surface antibody. If they are not immune, a second round of vaccines is recommended.
BREASTFEEDING
Breastfeeding has many benefits for your baby.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation is that women who have hepatitis B can safely breastfeed their baby. Hepatitis B is not transmitted through breastmilk.
Breastfeeding mothers with cracked nipples should practice proper nipple care.
FUTURE PREGNANCIES
If you are taking antiviral medication during pregnancy and planning to have another child, you can choose to remain on treatment between pregnancies.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
Always talk to your healthcare provider about testing, treatment and vaccination options available to you.
Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers may be recommended to receive hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIg) if available.
For further support please contact a World Hepatitis Alliance member near you.
For more information, please visit www.who.int, www.nohep.org/news-resources/nohepmums/ and www.worldhepatitisalliance.org
